And a PS. We left Richmond just hours before all hell broke loose Monday. I can hardly believe the damage. It was not predicted at all. Well, we're off to Kiawah shortly - bringing lots of books and cards.

Litespeed Chick,

sorry for the delay--too busy having fun this weekend to play on the computer.

What I understand about this is that current and turbulence are common in the surf zone--especially a current that sweeps parallel to the shore. These move you up or down the beach (and maybe a little back & forth).

A rip current is a different creature. Basically, it occurs when two opposing currents (parallel to the beach) meet. Where the two currents meet, they begin to flow away from the beach, directly out to sea. Strong rip currents can tire even a good swimmer who tries to swim against them. The recommendation we get is to either: (1) swim parallel to shore (i.e., don't swim directly toward shore against the flow) until you get out of the current (then you can head directly to shore) or (2) let the current take you out (usually not very far), and then swim back to shore either to the left or right of the outflowing current.

We had several drownings this Summer in or near Myrtle Beach attributed to rip currents (and not associated with any storm or bad weather). The point is not to panic and not to try to swim against the current.

Rip currents form when wind & water pressure cause breaks (10-20ft wide) in sandbars running parallel to the shoreline. Water rushing or "ripping" out to sea through the channel formed by the break is much stronger than elsewhere on the beach. That is why people are advised to swim parallel to the shore to effectively swim their way out of the rip tide, not against it.

Rip currents form on the surface of the water. Undercurrent or undertow is the breaker water returning out to sea and it actually pulls you down to the ocean bottom. While not as strong as a rip current, undertow shouldn't be ignored, especially with small children playing in the breakers.