SURFING LAGUNA: How to escape a rip current

I was stoked to be speaking to a packed gym of junior high students up in Costa Mesa this week about God, life and surfing. I was invited by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA.orgFCA.org) to share with the kids about the way those three elements have shaped me into a professional beach bum.

The subject matter swung wildly around during the Q-and-A period of my presentation. One kid asked about if I’d ever seen a great white shark out in our local waters, to which I answered: Yes, pretty much daily. You could have heard a pin drop.

Several glorious moments later, I told them I was kidding to great relief and laughter. It did bring up the subject of ocean safety, and I shot out a question for them. I asked how many of them had been caught in a rip current and consequently had to be rescued by a lifeguard?

To my mild amazement the vast majority of the 200 students raised their hands with fervor.

The stories they shared were very similar and basically involved heading out into the water to have a swim and finding themselves being pulled away from shore and unable to swim back in.

Thankfully the kids were either aware of how to deal with rip currents or there was a lifeguard on duty to rescue them.

As daylight saving approaches (March 8) and spring is right around the corner, our kids will be spending the longer and warmer afternoons enjoying our local beaches. Lifeguard coverage begins to increase in May but coverage is light until mid-June.

Here is a quick refresher regarding rip currents and how to deal with them.

Q: What are rip currents?

A: Channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at our surf beaches.

Q: Why are they dangerous?

A: They pull people away from shore and can pull even the strongest swimmer quickly out to sea.

Q: What if I’m caught in a rip current?

A: Stay clam; don’t fight the current. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. When free of the current, swim at an angle, away from the current toward shore.

If you are unable to escape by swimming, just float or tread water. When the current weakens swim at an angle, away from the current, toward shore.

If you feel that you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: Face the shore, call or wave for help.

There is so much more to know about rip currents and overall beach safety. Check out www.lblg.org to learn more. While on the site check out Laguna’s amazing Junior Lifeguard program designed for kids 8 to 15 years old.

Save the date! The second Annual Oak Street Surf Comp and Beach Cleanup is happening March 8! Community service for the cleanup and tons of prizes for the contest winners. Call (949) 637-9957 to sign up.

CHRIS WILLIAMS is the father of four surf-crazy sons, a surfing coach and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at chris@soulsurfingschool.com or (949) 497-5918.