What exactly is a rip current? It is a strong, narrow current of water flowing away from shore. Rip currents commonly form around breaks in sandbars and near jetties/piers. It's a natural treadmill traveling as fast as 8 feet per second - that is faster than an Olympic swimmer.
For that reason, rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the surf!
Be #BeachSmart before you head to the beach on Spring Break this year. Learn how to spot, escape, and help if someone’s in danger: weather.gov/tae/ripcurrentawareness