What is a rip?
Rips are one of the greatest and most common hazards on Australian beaches. Knowing what a rip is, how to spot one, and how to avoid one are key to staying safe at the beach.
Rip currents
A rip is a very strong and narrow current that pulls out to the sea. It’s nearly impossible to fight against a strong rip – it can pull you away from the beach at the speed of one to two metres per second! Rips are different from undertows, as they are visible and closer to the surface.

This video will help you learn how to identify a rip
The key signs to look for are
- Darker Water: Indicates deeper water where waves carve a path back to the ocean
- Gaps Between Waves: Calmer spots without waves can signal rip currents, as water is rushing out to sea.
- Seaweed, Sand, and Sediment: Sandy clouds moving out to sea suggest a strong rip pulling debris along.
- Rippled Surface: Noticeable rippled areas surrounded by smooth water show currents moving in various directions.
- Fewer Breaking Waves: Rip channels appear where fewer waves break, with no white foam reaching the sand.
Professor Rob Brander (aka ‘Dr Rip’) is on a quest to educate people about rip currents and how to spot them.

If you are caught in a rip
- Relax: Stay calm, float and conserve energy
- Raise Your Arm: Signal for help from lifeguards
- Help Is Coming: Lifeguards will assist you
- Swim Parallel: Move along the beach to escape the rip, heading towards breaking waves
- Reassess: If needed, try a different approach until you're safe or rescued
Stop - Think - Plan
- Stop: Before you enter the water to observe the beach, the ocean, the signs
- Think: About whether or not it is safe to enter the water
- Plan: What to do if you or someone with you got into trouble
When Samantha and her family were caught in a rip, they learned to Stop, Think (Look), and Plan for safety at the beach. Watch the SLSA video about Samantha’s story for important lessons on beach safety.