U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco urges coastal water safety, especially in winter, and to know and consider hazards before going past the water’s edge.
Published: February, 2007
Sneaker Waves
Rogue waves, or sneaker waves, are large, powerful waves that are mixed in with average size breaking surf. These powerful sneaker waves can suddenly crash onto people walking on the beach, standing on rocks, man-made jetties or break walls. These waves have the potential to pull people into the dangerous surf and hold them under the surface of the water, or throw them onto nearby rocks. Sneaker waves can be generated by offshore storms or by the combination of two or more smaller waves traveling at the same speed and direction.
Know:
• Be aware of weather conditions and forecasts, especially when surf is high.
• Be looking for the next wave when in or near the water.
• Remember that sneaker waves are hard to predict.
• Respect the power of the sea.
No:
• Never assume a false sense of security at the beach.
• Never go near the water’s edge alone.
• Do not turn your back on the surf zone.
Rip Currents
Rip currents can be the most dangerous threat to people on the beach or wading in the surf. Rip currents flow away from shore and can form anywhere there are breaking waves. They are powerful enough to pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea. These currents usually extend away from the shoreline at nearly a 90 degree angle, through the surf zone and the past the line of breaking waves.
If caught in a rip current:
• Remain calm and do not fight the current.
• Face the shore and call or wave for help.
• Escape the current by swimming parallel to the shore.
• If you cannot escape, float or tread water until the current weakens.
Then swim at an angle toward the shore.
What to do if a problem arises:
• Contact the lifeguard on duty or beach security.
• Call the U.S. Coast Guard on marine band channel 16 or 911.
