Surfers swept to sea by rip current found clinging to each other, Oregon rescuers say
.jpg "A rip current swept three surfers into the Pacific Ocean near Seaside, and two were found clinging together, Oregon rescuers say.")
An on-duty lifeguard was heading to tell surfers they were in a rip current when another lifeguard noticed two clinging to each other as they were swept out to sea, Oregon officials said.
The incident took place around 12:40 p.m. Monday, June 10, Seaside Fire & Rescue said in a news release.
Rescuers quickly arrived to find three surfers being pulled out to sea by a rip current, officials said.
Lifeguards and rescuers on a jet ski brought the surfers back to shore, officials said. None needed medical care.
Officials advise beachgoers to check with lifeguards for information on rip currents.
Seaside is about an 80-mile drive northwest of Portland.
What is a rip current?
Rip currents are “powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water” that happen on the coasts of the U.S. and in the Great Lakes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
About 100 people are killed by rip currents each year in the U.S., NOAA reported. Lifeguards rescue thousands of people from rip currents annually.
Experts say people can take steps to stay safe from rip currents, including:
Check the local water conditions before getting in.
Talk to a lifeguard at the beach about the conditions.
Only swim at beaches where lifeguards are present.
Don’t assume great weather means good swimming conditions.
This story was originally published June 11, 2024 at 8:19 AM with the headline "Surfers swept to sea by rip current found clinging to each other, Oregon rescuers say."