Riptide

[Onelife]

In light of yesterday's Barmouth tragedy where a young father lost his life in a riptide l came across this response which l think says in not so many words what we should all be aware of when entering costal waters.

SouthOxfordshireMike, Wantage, United Kingdom, about 7 hours ago

Before going into the water, look at the shore. The waves are normally coming in - even on a calm day, there will be small waves approaching the shore. Take a look for several hundred feet either side of where you want to go in...if there is a riptide, the water will be smooth, with no waves coming in. Easier to spot if the waves are slightly larger but still there - you see waves, then smooth water, then waves. The undercurrent prevents the lapping onto the shore. Once you know this, you will always look - and hopefully prevent yourself getting caught

[Whynd1]

We have one here in Mumbles near the lighthouse and another at Llanrihidian on the Gower.

[Ray B]

We had a sign at Sea Palling saying 'do not swim in this area, strong currents. It's only while the tide ebs and flood. Bathers just walk past it.
On Saturday evening our lifeboat went to check out a fisherman on one of the reefs as it was near high tide, he told them he could swim back, just then the lifeboat responded to a swimmer near by in trouble, caught in the rip. After landing the swimmer ashore they then responded to the fisherman who also was in trouble in the rip. He too was landed ashore and all were given safety advice.
It's not if we get more calls but when, because the sea always looks inviting. The sea can be an hostile environment treat it with respect.