A powerful, narrow channel of water flowing seaward from the beach, created when waves push water toward shore faster than it can return. These currents can move at speeds up to 8 feet per second.
From Middle English 'rippen' (to tear) and Latin 'currere' (to run). The term emerged in the early 20th century as beach safety became a concern, describing how these currents seem to 'rip' or tear swimmers away from shore.
Rip currents are nature's conveyor belts to the open ocean, moving more sediment than many rivers! Ironically, they're actually safer to encounter than they appear—swimming parallel to shore easily escapes their narrow grip, which is typically only 10-100 feet wide.
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