Surfing a Rip Current: Can You Ride It Safely and Effectively?"

Can You Surf a Rip Current? The Truth About Riding the Flow

The Myth and Reality of Surfing a Rip Current

If you've ever been caught in a rip current, you know that it’s no joke. The sheer force of the water pulling you out to sea is enough to send even experienced swimmers into a panic. But here’s the question: can you actually surf a rip current? Some surfers swear by it, claiming they use rips to get out past the breakers faster. Others avoid them like the plague. So, which is it?

Well, I’ll be honest—I’ve tried it (not exactly on purpose), and let’s just say it was a learning experience. Let’s break it down so you don’t make the same mistakes I did.

What Exactly is a Rip Current?

Before we talk about surfing one, let’s get clear on what a rip current actually is.

The Basics:

• A rip current is a strong, narrow current that flows away from shore, usually through a deeper channel in the sandbar.
• They can move at speeds up to 8 feet per second—faster than an Olympic swimmer.
• Unlike tides or undertows, rips don’t pull you under, they just pull you out.

A rip current forms when waves push water toward the shore, and that water needs a way to escape. The result? A powerful, fast-moving current rushing back out to sea.

Can You Use a Rip Current to Your Advantage?

Now, here’s the million-dollar question: can you actually surf a rip current?

When It Might Work:

• Paddling out faster – Some surfers use rips strategically to avoid duck-diving through endless waves. Instead of fighting the whitewater, they let the current do the work.
• Getting past the impact zone – If you’re struggling to paddle through heavy sets, a rip can act like a conveyor belt straight to the lineup.

I remember one session where I accidentally drifted into a rip, and before I knew it, I was far beyond the break in record time. It felt like cheating. But then came the problem…

The Risk: What Can Go Wrong?

• Losing control – A rip current is not a smooth ride. If you're not paying attention, you could end up way farther out than you intended.
• Fighting against it – If you wipe out and get caught in a rip, your first instinct might be to paddle straight back in (bad idea). The current will win that fight every time.
• Exiting the rip – Even if you use a rip to get out, you need to know how to get off it safely. Otherwise, you’re stuck paddling sideways to escape it.

The Right Way to Handle a Rip Current (Whether Surfing or Not)

If you’re in the water, whether surfing or swimming, you need to know how to deal with a rip current safely.

If You Get Caught in a Rip While Surfing:

1. Stay calm – Seriously, don’t panic. It’s just water moving in a straight line.
2. Go with it (for a moment) – If you're on your board, use the rip to help you get out past the break. But don’t ride it too far out.
3. Paddle sideways (parallel to shore) – The easiest way out of a rip is not fighting it head-on, but moving sideways until you’re free.
4. Angle toward the lineup or shore – Once you're out of the current, paddle back at an angle to avoid drifting into another rip.

If You're Swimming (No Board):

• Float, don’t fight – The more you fight, the more exhausted you’ll get.
• Swim parallel to the shore – Just like with surfing, get out of the current before trying to swim in.
• Signal for help if needed – Lifeguards are trained to rescue swimmers caught in rips.

Final Verdict: Should You Surf a Rip Current?

Technically? Yes. You can use a rip current to help you get out past the waves faster. But should you? That depends on your skill level.

If you’re an experienced surfer who knows how to handle currents, a rip can be a useful tool. But if you’re new to the ocean or don’t understand how they work, stay far away from them.

One last thing—if you ever hear someone say, “Just let the rip take you,” don’t. A rip doesn’t have a friendly exit ramp. Know your surroundings, respect the ocean, and always have a plan.

Have you ever accidentally (or intentionally) used a rip current while surfing? Let me know—I’d love to hear your experience!

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.