| First, respect that the ocean is stronger than you | | | | Again, try to swim parallel, at the same time rising |
| are. The force of even an average swell is far | | | | to reach the surface. Swimming directly up makes |
| greater than anyone can resist. That's why it | | | | it harder to reach the surface. |
| carries you along. But when those get to a certain | | | | One of the more likely problems that can lead to |
| point, they'll carry you down. Don't go surfing | | | | drowning while surfing is being hit with your board. |
| when the conditions are greater than you can | | | | Even the most advanced surfers fall of their |
| handle. Don't push the limits until you're very | | | | surfboards at some time. It's difficult, but |
| experienced. | | | | necessary, to be alert when you're on the way |
| Next, be aware of the ever changing patterns in | | | | into the water. Try to note which way your |
| the water. Riptides can appear seemingly out of | | | | board is moving. When you return to the surface, |
| nowhere. Sometimes they're just an | | | | don't assume your board has floated away. The |
| inconvenience, dragging you down the beach | | | | board is almost as likely to move back toward |
| away from the spot on shore you want to reach. | | | | you as away from you. That's convenient, but |
| But, those surface currents can also drag you out | | | | dangerous. |
| to sea, especially if you're fatigued. Stay strong | | | | If you use an ankle leash your surfboard can't |
| and get out of a rip current as soon as you | | | | move far away. That means you can be the |
| sense it. | | | | cause of it hitting you if you don't move the right |
| They're not difficult to spot if you're alert. They | | | | way. Practice in a swimming pool to get used to |
| appear as calm flows, usually as a strip or channel | | | | manipulating your leg and the board to grab the |
| within surrounding turbulent water. The color will | | | | board before it hits you in the head. Being |
| often appear slightly different. They don't drag | | | | knocked unconscious by a surfboard is easy and, |
| you under, but they can put you far enough out | | | | as you're often reminded, you can drown in a |
| that you can't return to shore. Then you tire | | | | foot of water. |
| before reaching safety and go under. Swim or | | | | Develop into a strong swimmer, watch the ocean |
| paddle parallel to the shore until you're out of it, | | | | and stay alert. Your odds of drowning will be very |
| then return to shore if you're tired. | | | | low. |
| Undertow is similar, but in this case the water | | | | Also, make sure you have the right sun |
| flow is under the surface. When you're on your | | | | protection swimwear gear, to be protected again |
| board that's not usually a problem. But if you fall, | | | | the sun UV radiation and its damaging effect on |
| you'll often go far enough to reach it, and it can | | | | your skin. |
| drag you down further and away from the shore. | | | | |