The rip advisories for Florida sometimes seem a bit overdone, but this table (found while looking for something else) explains it. Surf Zone Fatalities in the United States in 2021: 65

There's high surf fatalities in California on January 3 and 18, but otherwise it's rips, including four in Brevard, "Cape Canaveral" is city, not National Seashore. A pair at Ponce de León Park, June 27.

The Florida Panhandle has 6 fatalities vs. 5 on the Florida Atlantic coast. No fatalities on the peninsular Gulf.

Edited: 07/08/2021 at 02:44 PM by ww

I pulled a tourist out of a rip a couple of weeks ago.....3rd Street S. I watched him as he was getting taken out to sea and he never even tried to raise the alarm. I pointed him out to my wife and was up and moving before he knew he was screwed. I had a log and was out to him pretty quick. He thought I was just paddling by and asked for help......got him in and his wife said she thought he was just screwing around......

Beginners luck, I guess. I can never find a rip when paddling out on a big day.

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I :heart; Q

I don't know whether anyone's compiled statistics or done a study, but surfers are helpful for the hapless public. I've been surprised at how little rip current it takes here in Florida to catch and panic the unwary.

I have never encountered a bad one here. I sure have in other places though.

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I :heart; Q

A surprising video from the Wilmington, NC area.

Underpaid ocean rescue staff + high turnover rate + 72 miles of coastline + millions of tourists per year = SUCCESS!!!