Definitions for "Rip current"
Keywords:  seaward, beach, shore, surf, swimmer
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.
Keywords:  motion, horizontal, vertical
a horizontal motion not a vertical motion