 Rip currents are really dangerous. The current is so strong that most people can't even swim against it. And we'll get pulled right out. Even in some cases, an Olympic swimmer will get pulled out. A rip current is a small coastal stream that flows out through the surf zone. When you come to the beach, you'll see surf breaking, then you'll see a calm spot. And that calm spot is usually where the rip current is between the breakers. It's deceiving because that area is the calmest. It's where most people would think, well, this looks like a good place to wade. That area is the dangerous part where you really want to go or where the waves are the biggest. Ocean Beach is a very dangerous beach and it's considered one of the most dangerous beaches because of the rip currents on the beach. See the drainage into here, the holes, the shallow area? The waves are going to come up in here and the little channel into here will snap and it will flow out to define the least path resistance, basically, and that will be a little channel going out. It doesn't have to be a huge channel. It just has to be a depression in the sand, the topography below the water. It can go anywhere from two meters a second to eight meters a second. So that's why you need to pay attention to the ocean and not get sucked into these things. When you go to the beach, go with a friend. Go with a buddy, someone can keep an eye on you and you can keep an eye on them. The first thing to remember if you do get caught in a rip current is to remain calm. The rip current will only take you out past the breakers. It won't pull you down. It won't take you way, way out into the ocean. Relax, get your bearings, see where you are and see how fast you're going out. Don't swim against and don't fight against the current. Just let it take you out beyond the breakers, float there, find your bearings, swim parallel to shore for about 25 yards or so. You'll be out of the rip current most of the time and then swim, surf the waves basically back to the beach. On all the beaches in California, you should always look out for the ocean. You should never turn your back on the ocean and if you can't swim, you should never go into the water. You should always learn to swim. If you're wondering about going out, don't go out. When in doubt, don't go out.