Books
Dr Rips Essential Beach Book: Everything You Need to Know About Surf, Sand and Rips - 2nd Edition!
Rob Brander
Published in October 2023 by UNSW Press, this updated edition takes you on a fascinating and entertaining journey to uncover how our beaches form and behave, the science of waves and currents, how beaches respond to storms and climate chnage, as well as some of the hazards to watch out for, from tsunamis to the (unlikely) event you find yourself swimming with a shark.
Whether you’re a surfer looking for the perfect wave or enjoying the beach with friends and family, this book is a must-read for all ocean lovers.
What’s new in this edition? A fantastic dedicated colour picture section with stunning new images to bring beaches, waves, and rips to life. While the book has been updated throughout, the chapter on rip currents and beach safety have had a major overhaul to match the latest science and safety advice. And I’ve added more personal stories to make it more relatable (hopefully).
The Essential Beach Book is available at all good bookstores and can be ordered online including directly from UNSW Press.
‘So good it should be compulsory reading at school and in planes flying to Australia’ - Dr Karl Kruszelnicki (‘Dr Karl’)
‘The beach is a fun, but dangerous place. Everyone who loves the surf should read this fantastic book’ - Mick Fanning, World Surfing Champion
‘Dr Rip’s knowledge of how beaches work has helped save many lives’ - Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, Bondi Rescue
‘I think everyone who likes the beach should read this book - and it’s way better than the first edition!’ - Rob Brander (author)
Stories from the Field: 50 Years of Coastal Fieldwork 1970-2020
Andrew D. Short ad Robert W. Brander
Rob Brander co-edited this special volume of the Journal of Coastal Research with his PhD supervisor, mentor and internationally renowned Australian coastal geomorphologist Professor Andy Short from the University of Sydney. Over 75 stories and 50 photos are contained within the volume to capture some of the amazing stories that result from working in remote locations and extreme locations when coastal scientists conduct their fieldwork. It also captures much of the history of coastal geomorphology and how fieldwork has changed over the years.
The Journal of Coastal Research has made the online version free for all.
You can read some of Rob Brander’s stories below.
Dr Rips Essential Beach Book: Everything You Need to Know About Surf, Sand and Rips
Rob Brander
Many of us live near the beach and many more visit the beach on holidays. But just how much do we understand about the beach and its potential hazards? The types of waves and the way they break, tides and tsunamis, dangerous rip currents and how to spot them, and why some beaches are safer than others. Every year, hundreds of people drown and tens of thousands need to be rescued from beaches around the world, often because they don’t have basic beach knowledge and safety skills. The Essential Beach Book is a simple, entertaining and useful guide to beaches and beach safety, with a solid scientific basic. Rob Brander, aka Dr Rip, explains how beaches form, what drives waves how rip develop, and offers practical advice to show you how to get the most out of your day at the beach.
Published in October 2010 by UNSW Press, this bestselling book is now out of print (sold out!). While you can try and find hardcopies online at great expense you can still purchase an ebook version
‘So good it should be compulsory reading at school and in planes flying to Australia’ - Dr Karl Kruszelnicki (‘Dr Karl’)
‘The beach is a fun, but dangerous place. Everyone who loves the surf should read this fantastic book’ - Mick Fanning, World Surfing Champion
‘Dr Rip’s knowledge of how beaches work has helped save many lives’ - Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, Bondi Rescue
Stories from the Field: 50 Years of Coastal Fieldwork 1970-2020
Andrew D. Short ad Robert W. Brander
Rob Brander co-edited this special volume of the Journal of Coastal Research with his PhD supervisor, mentor and internationally renowned Australian coastal geomorphologist Professor Andy Short from the University of Sydney. Over 75 stories and 50 photos are contained within the volume to capture some of the amazing stories that result from working in remote locations and extreme locations when coastal scientists conduct their fieldwork. It also captures much of the history of coastal geomorphology and how fieldwork has changed over the years.
The Journal of Coastal Research has made the online version free for all.
You can read some of Rob Brander’s stories below.
You can read about some of Dr Rip’s early fieldwork experiences here:
‘The Times They Are-a-Changin’
‘There’s Camels on the Beach!’ The Nine Mile Beach, Central Queensland Macrotidal Beach Experiment‘
Do You Want the Good News or the Bad News?’ Measuring Rip Currents at Muriwai Beach, New Zealand’