Posted by Blake Pittman | 10.27.2025 | Uncategorized

Reading Rip Currents: Flow With the Ocean, Not Against It

Reading Rip Currents: Flow With the Ocean, Not Against It

Before You Hit the Beach

Spot the Signs Early – Before paddling out, I scan for rips like I’m reading a map. They’re easy to miss until you know what to look for:

• Darker, deeper-looking water between breaking waves.

• Foam and debris flowing steadily seaward.

• A gap in the line of whitewater where waves aren’t breaking.

That’s not calm water—it’s a conveyor belt headed out to sea.

Know Where They Form – Rips love to set up near jetties, piers, and sandbar gaps. If you see a lifeguard flag marking safe zones, respect it. They’ve already mapped the day’s currents for you.

Out in the Lineup

Don’t Fight the Pull – The ocean always wins a tug-of-war. If I get caught in a rip, I relax, float, and paddle parallel to shore—not against the flow. Once I’m out of the current, I angle back in with the waves.

Use the Rip to Your Advantage – On days with long paddles or strong shore break, a mild rip can be your best friend. I’ll ride it out like an escalator, using it to reach the lineup faster. The key is knowing when it’s safe and when it’s not.

Keep Eyes on Landmarks – Buildings, dunes, or even umbrellas help me track drift. If I’m moving sideways faster than expected, I know I’ve slipped into a rip’s pull. Awareness beats panic every time.

After the Session

Mentally Map the Currents – I think back to where rips formed and how they shifted with the tide. Some fade on high tide; others strengthen as water drains. These patterns repeat if you pay attention.

Talk With Locals & Guards – No app tells you about local rip behavior. Lifeguards and old-school locals know exactly where they form after a storm or dredge. That’s insider knowledge worth more than any forecast.

What to Implement

• Pre-surf scan for rip indicators

• Use landmarks to monitor drift

• Paddle parallel, not against

• Record how rips shift with tide and swell direction

Mindset Matters

Respect the Ocean’s Energy – Rips aren’t enemies—they’re reminders of the sea’s constant motion.

Stay Calm, Stay Smart – Panic burns oxygen. Awareness buys safety.

Observation Equals Confidence – The more you study rips, the more freedom you gain to surf anywhere with composure.

Learning to read rip currents isn’t just safety—it’s skill. It turns chaos into clarity and lets you flow with the sea instead of fighting it.