• Rip currents are seaward-directed flows of water driven by breaking waves that originate close to the shoreline and extend seaward across the surf zone, and beyond.

• Rip currents are a major cause of accidental drowning on beaches worldwide. In the UK, over 60% of RNLI lifeguard incidents involve rip currents.

• There are a number of components that make up the rip current water circulation system: The breaking waves moving water onshore, the alongshore feeder currents and the offshore flowing rip current.

• Drifter measurements of channel rip currents on beaches around the world showed that channel rips often flow in a circular pattern. On average, most of the drifters recirculated within the surf zone and only occasionally exited further offshore.

• Rips current flow speeds are typically 1-2 mph but rip pulsations can reach 4 mph, faster than an elite swimmer.

• Rip currents that form around permanent structures are called boundary rips.