Rip currents are powerful channels of fast-moving water that extend from the shoreline into deeper waters, can pose a treacherous threat at beaches with breaking waves. File Picture: Sam Clark
With sunny days and balmy nights occurring more frequently, many are heading to the coast to enjoy summer for day outings or evening picnics.
However, what is all too familiar too is the tragedy that strikes while out at the beach. Rip currents are that dreaded force of nature has cost many lives both locals and tourists alike.
Rip currents are powerful channels of fast-moving water that extend from the shoreline into deeper waters, can pose a treacherous threat at beaches with breaking waves. Swimmers are encouraged not to fight the force of the water as that is likened to fighting a losing battle. Instead, are advised to stay calm and allow the ocean to spew you back out to shore. It is however a tough ask in the face of calamity.
These rip currents move at speeds of up to 2.4m per second, often catching strong swimmers off guard leaving many dead. In the 2017/18 and 2018/19 beach seasons, 30 fatal drownings linked to rip currents were reported in Cape Town alone.
The figure may however be higher as not all reported cases are linked directly to being caught in a rip current.
Now, breakthrough innovation in rip current forecasting is expected to help beachgoers and lifeguards anticipate hazardous seashore conditions.
Launched by the SA Weather Service the model marks the first of its kind for the region and is poised to enhance awareness of potentially dangerous sea conditions.
The model analyses environmental factors, including wind, wave, and tidal data and will make it accessible on the SA Weather Service’s portal. Promisingly, it is expected to be extend it to beaches in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal too.
But this innovation will only help if the public adheres to warnings that are posted and listen to lifeguards on the beach about when and where to swim.
While nature is unpredictable, lifeguards always advise beachgoers to swim in between the designated flags and never to leave children unattended.
“So, the message is simple. Only swim where the lifeguards are on duty as they would have done the assessments,” said Dhaya Sewduth, president of Lifesaving South Africa.
Now it is up to us to stay safe this holiday season.
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