Safety In The Surf

9/30/2012

Please download the document below, read it and comment below with your suggestions, opinions and recommendations

As a swimmer Michael has kindly put together some information which is his opinion only on staying safe in the surf. Please could we encourage you all to read through the document in full by clicking on the download file link above.

In summary Michael suggests it is important to:

Know your limits
Know and understand your beach
NEVER panic. Always keep CALM
Time entry and exit to sets
Go out on the rip
Come in on the sandbank
Swim a maintainable pace so you:
Keep your breath
Keep your energy
Keep your courage

However, please download the document, read it and comment below with your suggestions, opinions and recommendations, thank you.

safety_in_the_surf.pdf
File Size:	260 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

12 Comments

Greg McDonough

9/30/2012 10:18:30 am

Greg McDonagh said...

Thanks to Michael and his extensive safety tips.

I would like to ad that when we dive under a wave ,we should not be tempted to come up too early as we have very little buoyancy in foam that trails the wave .Try to come up in clear water.
I also noticed this when in a boat coming in through a river entrance .The boat started to lose buoyancy in the foam trailing the waves and we soon learned that we had to come between the waves in the blue water.
I am a resonably strong swimmer with many years surfing experience and have done the 6km badge swim twice.However that did not stop me having a breathlessness episode trying to keep up with the mob in a regular 1.5 km swim one day.

I called on the "dont panic" mode but breathlessness can cause a natural body response of panic.I supressed this reaction as much as possible ,survival reality kicked in and I swam in to half way.It was a good wake-up call for me !

As Michael points out --Dont push yourself, learn and set your limits and enjoy, as I will continue to do.

Amanda Hiu

9/30/2012 10:19:42 am

Thanks for the tips. So true. I have had many sesisons of training on how to dive to enter the surfs. However, I still got bashed by the "fierce" waves on Easter Friday, and was "rescued" 2x by the B&B swimmers - thanks to you guys who are so kind and supportive! I have since learnt my lesson about knowing my limits, and keeping calm during choppy conditions. Thank you for the tips, Michael and Julie!

Wilf Deck

9/30/2012 10:20:51 am

How can I avoid getting dumped by a dumper when swimming in? I seem to be able to dive under when swimming out but was caught badly once when swimming in and am not sure I know how to avoid it happening again.

Michael Christie

1/2/2013 09:52:02 am

Hi Wilf. Good question. Have a look at Heidi's post today.

Richard Cook

9/30/2012 10:21:28 am

I got caught in the rip on Good Friday 4 April and couldn't get across it. I was amazed that I couldn't get across it even in the heavy seas. After reading Michael's comments I should have relaxed floated out into the head and come in 100 metres north. I'll be wiser next time.

Lesley

9/30/2012 10:22:33 am

I learnt all I know about swell/rips etc from Michael and I haven't got into (serious) trouble yet - even after swimming regulary for over a year. And he's right - it's the panic that causes the problem. Even last week I had to go under 2 bigs waves in succession, I had virtually no breath and could feel myself going into panic - even after, as I said, having swum almost everyday for a year - but I knew I had to calm myself down to get myself the rest of the way out (or back into the beach if need be)... and I just do that by breast stroke/keeping my head up / floating on my back (after the big waves) and slow freestyle (and telling myself over and over all is ok!) - it can take a few minutes to subside...but it does...

Heidi James

1/2/2013 09:49:48 am

Hey Jules

I thought that Michael might be able to add another tip to his swim safely dossier. My parents always told me to 'never turn my back on the ocean'! I guess just reminding people that it's really important to be watching the sets coming so that you're not taken by surprise. Looking back over your shoulder as you're swimming in so that you're ready for whatever is coming. And if all of a sudden the sun disappears then there is probably a big wave on its way. These are just 2 things that a not-to-be-named newbie hadn't considered and now will!
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ElizabethX

6/19/2014 11:10:51 am

Regarding Wilf's question. John gave me a great tip to 'surf the back of the wave'. The water is moving forward at the top and back at the bottom so if you jump on the front you'll get dumped but if you jump on the back of the wave its remaining power will take you shoreward without dumping you. Thanks again John!

Marie C

6/2/2015 08:11:14 am

Thank you so much. I seroiously nearly drowned in Feb/march this year. I was going out from Manly to Shelley, but could not go over the break even so I was trying my best to go under each waves, At one stage, losing my energy, I decided to go back to the beach.... Guess what. I was stucked in that direction as well. It seems that I was neither in a rip, neither on a bank and the waves were breaking so quickly and so frequently one after each other that any change of patterns were unnoticeable. I finally succeeded to reach the beach but just! I am a strong swimmer but without beach/ surf background. Thank you so much for your advices.

Chris

1/18/2017 12:25:18 am

Thank you for the sage advice, I found this because this morning I swam from Shelley to Manly beach, coming close around the headland. I got to test most of your key points, dont panic, swim a comfortable pace, look at your options. What I failed totally was 'know your beach', I did not realise I was swimming directly against the escalator. I will take that know your beach more seriously in future.

It is all great advice, especially the idea that you have plenty of time. I looked up how long it takes to get hypothermia in water that is Sydney's temperature at winter time. The answer is many many hours, so it is so true, if you are swimming in Sydney, there is never any hurry.

Harold link

4/18/2019 09:45:37 am

Great advice, thanks for posting these tips.

surf kandui link

6/4/2023 11:35:25 pm

Many surf resorts offer surf lessons and coaching programs for all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced surfer aiming to improve your technique

Safety In The Surf

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