Rip Current Safety

Rip currents pose a real hazard to swimmers in the Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. They pose an even greater danger to tourists, who are often unaware of how dangerous ocean currents can be under certain conditions.

How to Respond

If you are caught in a rip current, how you respond can often be the difference between life and death. Never fight or swim against the current, even though swimming directly back to shore seems like the logical course of action. Even the best Olympic swimmers aren't strong enough to overpower a rip current.

Do Not Panic

Let the rip current pull you away from shore. When you no longer feel as though you are being dragged out to sea, swim parallel to the shoreline. Once you are out of the grip of the rip current, swim at an angle back to the beach. View the break the grip of the rip flier (PDF) for more information.

Typical Daily Surf Zone Forecast

The following is what a typical daily Surf Zone Forecast will look like:

SURF ZONE FORECAST FOR SOUTH FLORIDA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
424 AM EST TUE DEC 9 2008

FLZ172-173-100445-
COASTAL BROWARD-COASTAL MIAMI_DADE-
INCLUDING THE SURF BEACHES OF FORT LAUDERDALE...MIAMI BEACH-
424 AM EST TUE DEC 9 2008

RIP CURRENT RISK: HIGH . . . WHEN THE RIP CURRENT RISK IS HIGH, THE SURF IS DANGEROUS FOR ALL LEVELS OF SWIMMERS. EVEN THOSE USING SURF OR BOOGIE BOARDS ARE URGED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION. RIP CURRENTS ARE LIFE-THREATENING TO ANYONE ENTERING THE SURF.

LIGHTNING RISK: NONE
WATERSPOUT RISK: NONE
UV INDEX: MODERATE
SURF TEMPERATURE: 74 DEGREES

Rip Current Outlooks

The Surf Zone Outlook is communicated to lifeguards, emergency management, South Florida media outlets and the general public. Rip Current Outlooks are ranked from low to high in the following ways:

  • Low Risk of Rip Currents: Wind and/or wave conditions are not expected to support the development of rip currents; however, rip currents can sometimes occur, especially near piers, jetties and groins. Know how to swim and heed the advice of beach lifeguards.
  • Moderate Risk of Rip Currents: Wind and/or wave conditions support stronger or more frequent rip currents. Only experienced surf swimmers should enter the water.
  • High Risk of Rip Currents: Wind and/or wave conditions support dangerous rip currents. Rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the surf, including experienced swimmers.