Danger of rip currents, shore breaks

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(Aug. 11, 2023) As much as can be said about ocean safety it can never be too much.

We’ve covered it in previous articles/ columns but once again it’s not a case of too much. Let’s just say that too much is never enough.

Rip currents and heavy or big shore break are probably the two most significant, dangerous, noteworthy factors regarding the ocean shoreline.

Often referred to as rip tides, they are not tides, though can be more prominent as the tide goes too low. In a 24-four hour cycle there are generally two low tides and two high tides roughly six hours apart. So the “rips,” as they are often referenced, are not tides but currents.

The term “rip current” is probably the most proper. The current is one which will head out to sea and any swimmer, bather, or anyone in the water can easily get caught up in a rip.

The idea is to try and stay calm, not freak-out, and swim parallel or even diagonally to the beach. Never, ever, try to swim against the rip current. In this manner the swimmer will tire quickly and make a bad situation worse, exacerbating a difficult situation.

A big, heavy shore break is another potentially dangerous situation and probably has much to do with head, neck, and back injuries, though there are those that would disagree with this previous statement.

Timing of the wave frequency and trying to get under the breaking wave would all be helpful in an attempt to make the shore break a less dangerous situation. In the parlance of the surfer, a duck dive would be about the same as getting under a breaking wave.

Speaking of, the rip current is actually a benefit to the surfer by helping to paddle out past the breaking wave, especially in bigger swell and surf conditions. The surfer will look for rips in an effort to make for an easier paddle out. Rip currents are not always that easy to spot but suffice to say that when they are it can make things easier.

Ironic, though, it is the surfer who can become a lifeguard in “off hours,” as in before 10 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. Many a surfer has helped a swimmer in distress and undoubtedly will continue to do so.

Regarding more information consulting a lifeguard, or surf rescue technician, would be a great idea. Most SRTs are eager and enthused to being helpful. It’s easy to figure that it’s part of the job, one in which the beach can be a most safe place to be.

Ocean safety can never be spoken about too much, and hopefully this has been a good example.

— Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City

Sports Briefs

Successful tournament

The Greater Berlin Minority Scholarship Committee presented the 17th annual Samuel S. Henry Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament at GlenRiddle Golf Course on July 20.

A full slate of golfers, with 37 hole sponsors and wonderful weather, contributed to a great tournament.

The committee thanks all the teams, hole sponsors and contributors for making this event a success.

Continued support has made it possible for Greater Berlin Minority Scholarship Committee to award eight scholarships this past school year.

These “side bets” have an additional entry fee and there’s a calcutta for every species in the tournament. Participants may enter any or none but as they say, “ya gotta be in it to win it,” and last year’s total cash purse topped $5.23 million.

Worthy of note, the entry fee for Christi On the Board Reward calcutta was increased this year to $3,000, which will increase the payouts.

This calcutta pays out each time a participant has the heaviest, second heaviest or third heaviest white marlin, blue marlin or tuna on the scoreboard at the close of each days weigh-in session.

For more information contact Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit www.themidatlantic.com to find facts, figures and information about The MidAtlantic complete breakdown of calcuttas, rules, points, and a tournament week schedule. Follow on social media: Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

The committee thanks those for helping assist Stephen Decatur graduates to attend college.

First place gross with a 59 was the team of Linwood Harmon, Kenny Ethridge, Madison Harmon and Scott Schafer.

First place net was the team of Donnie Berkey, Kenton Yoder, Joe Noble and Victor Rolli with a 52.3.

Second place net went to Sammy White, Regan Haldeman, Bruce Hunter and Lee Webster with a 54.8, in a tie breaker. The team of Todd Ferrante, Bryan Taylor, Ken Lazorchak and George DelRicco finished in third with a 54.8.