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Swimming

Be Careful Out There: Rip Currents Claim Seven From New York Beaches

July 27, 2008 at 2:25 PM | 0 Comments

Unusually strong rip currents in the waters off several New York beaches this weekend have left seven people dead or missing, marking one of the worst spates of drownings in recent history. Officials are pointing to a confluence of factors for the unforgiving seas off Coney Island and the south shore of Long Island, including the encroachment of Tropical Storm Cristobal, which has been creeping up the coast for several days.

The tragedies serve to underscore the importance staying safe in the open water. A day at the beach is nothing if not carefree, but it only takes a moment to get pulled into a situation that can quickly get out of control. First and foremost, you need to be a strong swimmer if you're going to venture out into the waves. You might think you know how to swim, but there's a big difference between splashing around in a backyard pool and plunging into the Atlantic Ocean.

If you never learned how to swim, consider taking lessons at your local pool. The 92nd Street Y in New York, for example, offers private and semi-private lessons to people of all ages and abilities. And when you feel ready to hit the open water, an outfit called SBR Multisports is offering an Open Water 101 course at Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park in New York (a great park, by the way: the Appalachian Trail runs through it), while more advanced courses are taught in Fairfield, Connecticut.

But the smartest thing to do is to pay attention to the conditions and never swim without a lifeguard nearby. And most of all, don't fight the rip! If you get caught in a rip, swim parallel to the shoreline until you're out of the current, then make your way back to dry land and enjoy the rest of your day at the beach.

Related Stories:
· Deadly Weekend for New York Swimmers [All Headline News]
· Private Swim Instruction [92nd Street Y]
· Open Water Swim Clinic [SBR]
· Complete Swimming Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: U.S. Open Water Swimming Connection]