Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeRedskin
My experience with rip tides -
First, I am a pretty strong swimmer, have had lifeguard training (ages ago) and, while respectful of the ocean, have a comfort level with my ability to handle ocean swimming.
About 5 years ago, my wife and I are in Nagshead walking on the beach (no life guards). I see a guy waving his arms about a 100 feet out from shore (just past the breakers) and a woman pointing to him from shore. Myself and two other guys head out into the water. In about three strokes, we have caught up to the guy - HUGE riptide carrying us out to him. His wife/gf was in a little closer and one of the guys stayed with her while me and the last guy went on. We catch up to him and he is pretty calm sitting on his bogey board. Me and Other Guy start to swim cross wise to the current towing this guy on his board and just watch the beach moving away from us. Eventually, a beach patrol guy came out and gave us a hand (he had swim fins). It took us about an hour but we got the guy in.
The pull of the current out was incredible and fast. Actually, it was kind of fun (I told my wife that and she thought I was crazy. Not being a strong swimmer and frightened of the water, she was terrified I wasn't coming back).
Why so long if he had a board? B/c he had no legs. No shit. Here is a guy w/ no legs swimming in the ocean on day of rip tide warnings. Nice enough guy. Dumb as a box of rocks.
If you are a competent swimmer and !!don't panic!! a rip tide is not going to kill you.
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I'm like you and not too scared of the ocean but I do respect it and know when not to play with mother nature. When I surfed allot we would look for the rip currents and go out there because they would help pull you out. I have surfed on some days that was the only way to get out.