Home > Blogs > Tish Lloyd > Wrightsville Beach Ocean Breezes

RIP CURRENTS UP -- WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH LIFEGUARDS URGE BEACHGOERS TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER

By Tish Lloyd

Real Estate Agent with BlueCoast Realty Corporation

September 19, 2010 12:52 AM

RIP CURRENTS UP

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH LIFEGUARDS URGE BEACHGOERS TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER

Waves at Wrightsville Beach

Fortunately, Hurricane Igor is not forecast to reach the shores of Wrightsville Beach. But the rip currents caused by the powerful storm are.

We have fewer lifeguards on the beach and that combined with dangerous surf means it's not the time to practice your swimming skills. The Pier to Pier Swim was canceled for yesterday due to the rip currents -- if the people who swim in the ocean just about EVERY day know not to risk it, those of us who only do it occasionally need to pay heed.

I saw some kids out in the surf yesterday, and I have to say, it scared me. Parent's please, please, please don't take a chance with your little ones. Even going in up to the knees can be dangerous if they don't have someone right there with them. The waves were coming in fast and furious yesterday, crossing each other with a vengeance, they'll only be worse today, and it doesn't take much for a child to get knocked down and sucked out with a wave.

If you are insistent about getting in the water -- please keep these tips in mind if you are caught in a rip current:

Remain calm
Don't fight against the current
Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline
Once out of the current swim at an angle away from the rip current towards the shore

A few of our locals
We're still having gorgeous weather and the beaches are full of people taking advantage of our prolonged summer. As far as I'm concerned, it's ALWAYS a great day to go to the beach. It's just not a great time to swim in the ocean. So take a walk, look for seashells (storms always send up the prettiest ones!), watch for the dolphins (we saw a HUGE pod yesterday and they were jumping and dancing -- quite a show!), enjoy the beauty of the waves and soothe your soul with the sounds and smells of the mighty Atlantic Ocean.

Just be smart and safe. Stay out of the water.

Re-Blog

Comments(16)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Tish, A warning some casual visitors need to take! You read too many stories every year about beachgoers throughout the country getting caught in rips!

Sep 19, 2010 01:16 AM

Charles Edwards Bentonville

Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR

AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Tish. Great post. I love the coast and your picture are making want to be there. Your instructions are good...but remaining calm is going to be really difficult in that situation.

Sep 19, 2010 01:27 AM

Leesa Finley

RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC

RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

That's some great advice, Tish if by the off chance one should get caught in a rip current. They are nothing to mess around with and you would never know they are there - scary! While those currents are up it's best just to take a nice walk on the beach and not get in.

wake forest nc house chick

Sep 19, 2010 01:55 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Liz & Bill: Stood there yesterday watching very small children and a couple of adults who were way too far out in some very rough waves. Two mothers, standing in the water up to their ankles chatting away while their children were going out further and further. When the dolphins arrived, they actually called their au pair to bring the other wee ones into the water! It is worthy to note the Big Red Flag was flying from the EMPTY Lifeguard Chair signifying the danger.

Oh, well . . . tee, hee; that doesn't apply to US!

Sep 19, 2010 02:10 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Charles: You know, I think of that every time the subject is broached: Could I remain calm enough to remember to attempt this? I don't really believe I could, therefore, I just don't take any chances. Wishing you a glorious Sunday!

Leesa: I'm with you -- seem to remember something about that's what using our God-given abilities is all about. Use your brain; let your common sense kick-in. It is still so beautiful, not hot and there are the sand, shells, water fowl, dolphins, etc. to enjoy. Just wish people would be more aware of their surroundings so they reap the full benefits of these gifts.

Sep 19, 2010 02:18 AM

Marian Goetzinger

Pine Knoll Shores Realty 252-422-9000 - Pine Knoll Shores, NC

Crystal Coast Real Estate NC

Great Post Tish. I have two of my grandsons this week-end and I explained to them why we would not be even dipping our toes in the water. They understood and they are only five and seven. It seems it's always the visitors who get into trouble in our waters.

Stay Safe!

Sep 19, 2010 02:19 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Marian: Thanks -- it's just so important to heed the warnings and respect the Big Red Flags and the reason they fly. It's not to ruin someones day at the beach; it's to protect precious cargo!

Sep 19, 2010 02:21 AM

Will Nesbitt

Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria - Alexandria, VA

Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage.

Gosh Tish ... I for one wouldn't be able to stay calm in a situation that invovled water - waves ... my family and life would flash before my eyes

Sep 19, 2010 02:26 AM

Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528

Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY

Real Estate Salesperson

Tish, it's the gorgeous weather that tempts and those visitng and not familiar with the danger signals are the ones most likely to not take the warnings as seriously as they should. Great advice.

Sep 19, 2010 03:22 AM

Melissa McKinney

Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC

Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

I WANNA BA AT THE BEACH!!! Could you hear the whine in that all the way there??? :0) Great advice, unfortunately some people do not want to be smart!

Sep 19, 2010 04:20 AM

Karen Bernetti

Southington, CT

Great advice Tish - I hope hurricane season continues to be uneventful for you.

Sep 19, 2010 05:36 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Will: I believe I could behave long enough to get beyond the crisis, then I'd collapse. At least that's the way I was when my daughter was very small and would have seizures.

Leah: It's just so important to respect the power of the ocean.

Melissa: Had your chair sitting there empty all day -- even took an extra Bloody Mary (sans alcohol) for you. It was absolutely gorgeous and the breezes were perfect. I even did a bit of reading & dozed off for a minute or two. The waves were big, constant, and a spectacular aquamarine!

Karen: So far, so good, thanks.

Sep 19, 2010 09:35 AM

Linda Scofield

Toccoa, GA

Tish - Great post and glad you posted the tips for those who find it to much of a temptation to stay out of the water. The weather looks great! Love to watch the waves, that's a great photo. Is the St Regis still there on Topsail? At one time I stayed in the penthouse for a while and loved watching for the pods of dolphins in the morning while having coffee. Great way to start the day:)

Sep 19, 2010 10:53 AM

Will Nesbitt

Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria - Alexandria, VA

Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage.

If the situation did involve my family... I may have done the same thing you had with your daughter. I suppose, I am easily intimidated by huge waves and a vast ocean.

Sep 19, 2010 10:52 PM

Melissa McKinney

Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC

Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Awww! And I missed it! :(

Sep 20, 2010 10:11 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Linda: It was wonderful -- don't know about the St. Regis, but will certainly investigate!

Will: It certainly is intimidating!

Melissa: Maybe next time!!!!