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Rip Currents

Severe Weather

UNCW is close to many beaches that are great for swimming, surfing and taking breaks from campus life. It's important that you keep in mind how dangerous the ocean can be due to rip current hazards.

Learn about rip currents and what to do if you encounter one.

About Rip Currents

Rip currents are water channels flowing away from shore forming in sandbar breaks and near structures such as jetties and piers. Many rip currents end beyond the line of breaking waves. Some may continue to pull hundreds of yards off shore at speeds up to 8 feet per second.

Rip currents can:

  • rapidly increase in speed
  • unexpectedly pull swimmers away from shore
  • have a notable difference in water color
  • have a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward
  • have a break in the incoming wave pattern
You might not see a rip current, so keep the following in mind:
  • One or more of the above clues may indicate the presence of rip currents
  • Rip currents are often not readily or easily identifiable to the average beachgoer
  • Polarized sunglasses make it easier to see the rip current clues provided above
Today's Rip Current Conditions
NOAA's Rip Current Video

Avoid and Survive

Follow these tips to limit the dangers of rip currents:

  • Never swim alone
  • Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don't go out!
  • Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach
  • Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards

Follow these tips if you are caught in a rip current:

  • Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly
  • Don't fight the current
  • Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline
  • When out of the current, swim towards shore
  • If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water
  • When out of the current, swim towards shore
  • If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself:
    • Face the shore
    • Wave your arms
    • Yell for help
  • If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard
  • If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1
  • Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape
  • Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current

Color Flag Definitions

Green Flag Lower hazard. Conditions are calm. Normal care and caution should be exercised.
Yellow Flag Medium hazard. Moderate surf and/or currents are present. Weak swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. For others, enhanced care and caution should be exercised.
Red Flag High hazard. Rough conditions such as strong surf and/or currents are present. All swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. Those entering the water should take great care. Wind and/or wave conditions are expected to support the development of very strong rip currents. This category implies that water conditions are life threatening to all people who enter the surf. There may be a high number of rescues on red flag days.
Double Red Water is closed to public use.
Quartered (black and white) These flags will be used in pairs to indicate the boundaries of a designated area where surfboards are prohibited.

Hazard Specific Info

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