I think that, in general, a current that pulls you somewhere that you’re not prepared to go can be dangerous. If you’re ready for a swim several hundred feet of

I think that, in general, a current that pulls you somewhere that you’re not prepared to go can be dangerous. If you’re ready for a swim several hundred feet offshore from the beach, and a current pulls you there, fine (as long as you are really prepared, which involves knowing how to swim out of the current and back to shore). Having a big floaty thing like a surfboard helps, too. If the rip current pulls you into a big current that takes you away from the beach, you might have a problem. If you’re a beginning swimmer who can’t swim a few hundred feet in open water, then you may also have a problem. If you have a boogie board, and you rely on it, and you lose the boogie board, you may also have a problem. Many of the swimmers at your average tourist beach are not competent open water swimmers and may be helpless even 50 feet out. A rip current is a severe hazard for them.