A narrow intense current setting seaward through the surf zone. It removes the excess water brought to the zone by the small net mass transport of waves. It is fed by long shore currents. Rip currents usually occur at points, groins, jetties, etc., of irregular beaches, and at regular intervals along straight, uninterrupted beaches.
A channel of water, or a current, heading out to sea. Often just known as a rip. Rail The edge of the board.
A strong surface current of short duration flowing seaward from the SHORE. It usually appears as a visible band of agitated water and is the return movement of water piled up on the SHORE by incoming WAVES and wind. A rip current consists of three parts: the FEEDER CURRENT flowing parallel to the shore inside the BREAKERS; the NECK, where the FEEDER CURRENTS converge and flow through the breakers in a narrow band or "rip"; and the HEAD, where the current widens and slackens outside the breaker line. See Figure 7.
A strong, narrow current of high velocity and short duration that flows seaward through the breaker zone. Caused when a build up of water pushed onto the beach by winds and waves returns seaward.
A strong, rapid, and brief current that flows out to sea, moving perpendicular to the shoreline.
A current formed on the surface of a body of water by the convergence of currents flowing in opposite directions. Rip currents are common along coasts where longshore currents move in opposite directions.
a strong, narrow surface current that flows seaward though the surf zone, caused by the escape of excess water that has accumulated near the shore by wind and waves.
a strong surface current flowing outwards from a shore
a channel of water which is running out to sea
a complex meteorological/oceanographic phenomenon that poses significant danger to beach goers worldwide
a current created from the ocean cutting a narrow channel through a sand bar
a current which runs from shallow water out to sea
a fast-moving stream of water that can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea
a flow of water from the beach out toward the ocean
a horizontal flow of water moving in the offshore direction
a narrow current of water, often foamy or choppy, moving seaward
a narrow, powerful current of water running perpendicular to the beach, out into the ocean
a narrow, river-like channel of water moving away from the surf (breaking) zone and back toward sea
a river of sea water moving from the shore to the open ocean
a river of water that goes out horizontally on the top of the ocean out toward the -- away from the shore
a "seaward" moving current
a strong channel of water flowing out past the surf zone that can pull even the strongest swimmer into the deeper water beyond the sand bar
a strong current running out to sea
a strong, localized flow of water moving out to sea from the beach and can be associated with large waves and/or high winds
a swift current of water which flows from shore out to sea
A narrow 10 to 30 yard channel of water flowing seaward from the beach, resulting from the sand bar becoming breached. Rip currents are responsible for pulling swimmers out to sea and a number of drownings and most lifeguard rescues.
A stretch of strong, flowing water near the shore, directed usually away from the shore.
A strong, narrow current of surface water that flows seaward through the surf into deeper water. Waves approaching the shoreline create a water buildup which results in a return flow. This return flow (rip current) transports the excess water into deeper waters. Bubbles and debris usually float on the surface of the rip current. Although this current is extremely localized, they result in numerous deaths every year. These deaths are contributed to swimmers becoming exhausted by trying to swim against the rip current. If you are a swimmer caught in a rip current, wade sideways parallel to the beach until you are out of its pull. Another means of escape for those who are good swimmers is to ride the current out beyond the surf zone where the rip current dissipates then swim to shore outside the effects of the narrow current. This phenomenon is sometimes mistakenly called an "undertow".
A relatively small-scale surf-zone current moving away from the beach. Rip currents form as waves disperse along the beach causing water to become trapped between the beach and a sandbar or other underwater feature. The water converges into a narrow, river-like channel moving away from the shore at high speed. A rip current consists of three parts: the feeder current flowing parallel to the shore inside the breakers; the neck, where the feeder currents converge and flow through the breakers in a narrow band or "rip"; and the head, where the current widens and slackens outside the breaker line.
A narrow, powerful current of water that runs perpendicular to the beach, typically extending 200 to 2,500 feet (61 to 762 meters) in length, and less than 30 feet (9 meters) wide.
A strong current of limited area flowing outward from the shore, and may be visible as a band of agitated water with the regular wave pattern altered; current is caused by the rush of escaping water which is piled between shore and bar or reef by wave action through a gap in the bar or reef; such currents are dangerous to the uninitiated and are the cause of many drownings at ocean beaches; however, when located by divers they are often used to facilitate entry to areas beyond the bar or reef.
A strong, localized seaward flow of water perpendicular to a beach.
A narrow current in the surf zone flowing seaward from the shore. It usually appears as a visible band of agitated water and is the return movement of water piled up on the shore by incoming waves and winds.
It is formed by a strong surface water movement, or current, of a short duration that flows seaward from the shore. The return flow is piled up onshore by the incoming waves and wind. It is localized, of narrow width, and its position relative to the beach can change as the wave condition changes. Therefore, the higher the waves, the stronger the current.
A rip current is a strong flow of water returning seaward from the shore. It is often mistakenly called a "rip tide" or "riptide", though the occurrence is not related to the tides. Colloquially a rip current is known simply as a rip, or the misnomer undertow.