Rip Currents/Hazards
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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A rip current can pull you away from the shoreline (beach). If this happens:
More information on rip currents visit USLA
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Other Beach Hazards
Anytime you enter the water, always enter slowly and cautiously inspect and be aware of the ocean's bottom. Inshore holes and sandbars can become a hazard to beach goers who run into the water without realizing there are holes or sudden shallow areas on the ocean floor. This is among leading cause of broken and/or twisted ankles. In addition, when exiting the water, if the current and waves are too strong to exit and you get pulled into the inshore hole, do not fight against it. Allow the waves to break, then exit the water.
Sandbars
A sandbar is a shallow ridge of sand formed along the shore from waves or currents. Sandbars are common at beaches with inshore holes and are essentially underwater sand dunes built by waves and currents pushing the sand into mounds towards the surface. They can be completely submerging during high tide or completely exposed during low tide. Swimmers and surfers can seriously injure their neck if diving headfirst off their surfboard or while diving under a wave. Surfers are also at risk if they jump from their surfboard onto an unexpected sandbar resulting in an injury to foot or ankle which are common. Sandbars also shift and can appear and disappear on a daily basis, so always be aware. Also enter the water slowly feet first and keep hands in front of your head at all times to avoid collision with hidden hazards.
A sandbar is a shallow ridge of sand formed along the shore from waves or currents. Sandbars are common at beaches with inshore holes and are essentially underwater sand dunes built by waves and currents pushing the sand into mounds towards the surface. They can be completely submerging during high tide or completely exposed during low tide. Swimmers and surfers can seriously injure their neck if diving headfirst off their surfboard or while diving under a wave. Surfers are also at risk if they jump from their surfboard onto an unexpected sandbar resulting in an injury to foot or ankle which are common. Sandbars also shift and can appear and disappear on a daily basis, so always be aware. Also enter the water slowly feet first and keep hands in front of your head at all times to avoid collision with hidden hazards.
Inshore Holes
An inshore hole is a long hole in the sand that runs parallel to the shoreline of the beach and can ranging from one foot to fifty feet from the shore. Inshore holes vary in width and depth. These can be small enough to step over or up to twenty feet wide. They can deep enough to fully submerge a full-grown adult. If you get fully submerged, you surface and swim afloat. Because inshore holes are often close to shore, they are a hazard to young children and unskilled swimmers who expect the water to be shallow or when they get pulled down into the water. Inshore holes can be filled with pebbles, shells and other sharp debris from shells so be cautious. When waves are strong, inshore holes can be dangerous and break onto the dry sandy beach without any water to cushion a person, causing severe injury.
An inshore hole is a long hole in the sand that runs parallel to the shoreline of the beach and can ranging from one foot to fifty feet from the shore. Inshore holes vary in width and depth. These can be small enough to step over or up to twenty feet wide. They can deep enough to fully submerge a full-grown adult. If you get fully submerged, you surface and swim afloat. Because inshore holes are often close to shore, they are a hazard to young children and unskilled swimmers who expect the water to be shallow or when they get pulled down into the water. Inshore holes can be filled with pebbles, shells and other sharp debris from shells so be cautious. When waves are strong, inshore holes can be dangerous and break onto the dry sandy beach without any water to cushion a person, causing severe injury.
