Riptides super handy when surfing to use as a conveyor belt to get out behind the breakers easily. Terrifying if you get caught in one without realising or knowing what to do. Especially if you are without a buoyancy aid.
As above, don’t swim against it, instead swim across out of it. There may well be another currant pumping water to the beach to facilitate your return.
Riptides can be spotted as the water appears flatter or stretched compared to surrounding water.
I hope the above info is remembered right - i’ve not been in the Atlantic for over a decade. The Mediterranean is like a warm shallow salt water lake and much more placid/predictable (not even tidal!).
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