Aloha, future surfer! From Kalani Surf Academy here in Fuerteventura, we welcome you to the incredible world of surfing. One of the most fundamental things we try to instill in our students when they learn to surf is something that goes beyond standing up on the board: “ocean knowledge.” Understanding the ocean, respecting it, and knowing how to read its signs, like learning how to measure waves, is the key to enjoying it safely.
And this is where the dreaded rip currents come in. Let’s be honest: if you surf, sooner or later you’ll find yourself in one. It’s part of the game. But, as we always tell our students on the beach, don’t panic! It’s okay. With the right technique and a cool head, it’s not only manageable, but it will also teach you a valuable lesson about the ocean.
In this guide, we’re going to offer you some practical and direct tips to help you easily get out of a rip current with your surfboard.
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First and Most Importantly: Stay Calm
When you feel the sea pulling you out and realize that no matter how hard you paddle, you’re not making progress, the first instinct is to panic. This is the biggest and most dangerous mistake you can make.
When you’re a beginner surfer, it’s common to find yourself in challenging situations that you’re not sure how to handle, and this is one of them. The first thing you need to burn into your mind is: DO NOT fight the current. Paddling desperately toward the shore is like trying to go up a down escalator. You’ll only exhaust yourself physically and mentally, and that is what’s truly dangerous.
A rip current is not a whirlpool that will pull you under. It’s important to be very clear about this: these currents do not pull you underwater. They are simply like a river or a surface jet of water moving away from the shore. Have positive and calming thoughts, breathe slowly, and trust that you have the ability and the tools to escape.
Your Surfboard: Your Best Ally
In a situation like this, there’s one golden rule: your surfboard is your life preserver. On many occasions, fatigue and fear lead some to make the terrible decision to let go of their board to try to swim. Never do this!
The board is your personal flotation device. It keeps you afloat effortlessly, allowing you to save vital energy that you’ll need to get out of the current. Hold onto it, rest on it, and use it to your advantage. Never let go of your board; with it, you’ll be able to move much faster and more safely toward the exit zone.
The Correct Technique: Which Way to Paddle to Escape?
If paddling toward the shore is useless, what should you do? The answer is the key to getting out of any rip current.
Paddle parallel to the shore.
Imagine the current as a narrow hallway pulling you away from the beach. Your goal is not to go back down that hallway, but to exit it from one of the sides. Paddle steadily and calmly, either to the right or to the left, always parallel to the coastline.
There’s a detail that will help you get your bearings: generally, where there’s a current, there are no waves. Rip currents tend to “flatten” the waves, creating that channel of darker, seemingly calm water. Your goal is to reach the area where the waves are breaking, the whitewater. Look for the whitewater and head towards it. Once you feel the waves start to push you again, you’ll know you’re out of the current.
Once you’re out of the main jet, paddle diagonally toward the shore, using the push from the whitewater itself.
What If I Can’t Get Out of the Current?
Sometimes, currents can be very wide or powerful. If you’ve been paddling parallel for a while and feel like you’re not making progress or fatigue is setting in, it’s time to change your strategy.
- Stop paddling and float. Don’t waste any more energy. Lie on your board and let the current carry you. Most rip currents lose their strength about 50-100 meters from the shore. Once you feel the pull weaken, you can calmly try to paddle out parallel again.
- Signal for help. If you’re on a lifeguarded beach like many here in Fuerteventura, don’t hesitate to get the lifeguards’ attention. Raise one arm and wave it. Don’t get impatient. Do the same so that other surfers or swimmers can see you. Stay calm on your board; you are visible and you are floating. The more people who see you, the sooner help will arrive.
The Best Strategy: How to Avoid Getting Caught in a Current
True “ocean knowledge” isn’t just about knowing how to get out of a risky situation, but also about learning how to avoid getting into one in the first place. Before you enter the water, always take a few minutes to observe.
- Look for the channels with no waves: The most characteristic pattern for identifying a current is to watch the break. If you see a line of waves and suddenly there’s a channel in the middle where the water looks flatter, darker, or even a different color (as if it’s dragging sand), there’s your current! Although it seems counterintuitive, your safe zone for surfing is where the waves are breaking. If you see an area with no waves, be wary.
- Observe the foam and objects: See if there’s seaweed, foam, or any other floating object moving out to sea at a faster-than-normal speed. That’s an unmistakable sign.
- Pay attention to the signs: Always look at the flags and any signs on the beach. If you’re inexperienced, stay away from areas marked as dangerous, ask the lifeguards, and familiarize yourself with the basic rules of surfing to share the peak safely.
Master the Ocean with Knowledge
Knowing how to react in a current is one of the most important skills you’ll acquire as a surfer. It’s not about being afraid of the sea, but about respecting and understanding it. At Kalani Surf Academy, this is the foundation of all our surf lessons.
If you want to learn this and much more from expert instructors in the incredible waves of Fuerteventura, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be delighted to accompany you on your adventure.
See you in the water!