November 2023 (ROTM#179) Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Last month I provided a link to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald about my work and career that was written by journalist Julie Power. Well, my passion for rip currents must have rubbed off because a few days after our interview, Julie sent me this great picture of some rips at Bondi Beach – Australia’s most busiest beach.

There’s a few things I like about this picture.

First, it shows two channelised rip currents – the dark gaps through the whitewater. One is heading offshore from the yellow sign on the beach and the second is further down the beach in the picture. It shows that you don’t just get one rip on a beach, you can often get multiple rips!

Second, the picture shows just how tricky it is to place the flags when you have multiple rips. The red and yellow flag isn’t as close to the rip as it looks and the flag on the left is outside of the picture. But it’s a reminder that the flags on Australian beaches are placed away from the rips – which is why you should swim between them.

Third it shows that yellow sign in front of the rip. You can’t read it on the picture, but it’s warning people not to swim there. Think it’s effective? I’m not so sure – I really think we can do better with beach safety signage in general.

Oh…and it’s probably a good time to plug my new book – Dr Rip’s Essential Beach Book which is out now!

Looks a bit cold for swimming. Just as well. There’s two rips outside the flags!