General
riptide
What does riptide mean?
A strong seaward current caused by water returning to the ocean after waves push it ashore; often used loosely and interchangeably with rip current.
"Signs warned of a dangerous riptide along that stretch of beach."
Origin
Popular coastal term for a strong outflowing current.
Frequently asked questions
What is a riptide?
It is a strong seaward current caused by water returning to the ocean after waves push it ashore, and it can pull swimmers away from the beach.
Is a riptide the same as a rip current?
The terms are used loosely and interchangeably in everyday speech, though 'rip current' is the more technically precise word.
What should you do if caught in a riptide?
The common safety advice is not to fight it directly but to swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current, then head in.
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