>>1955480Definitely don't try to use them unless you have a craft like a surfboard etc. They can be spotted with the trained eye when they are pulling closer to shore but it's almost impossible to tell how far they actually pull out to sea due to undercurrents and "relative turbulence", which is basically how they look compared to the waves near them - as soon as you come to a quiet, flat break in the surf the rip current is pretty hidden. They also change rapidly - a short rip could begin to pull further, a slow rip could speed up, a light break could start getting heavier and too unruly for swimmers, etc. As a surfer of 15 years, i'd definitely advise against using them for swimming or in general being around them.
Also don't forget, to get out of a rip you need to swim at an angle towards the beach. Swimming against it will tire you and swimming perpendicular will still take you out too far to realistically paddle back safely.
