know your limits. that's all. never, ever, ever, ever, have i heard or seen an experienced surfer/waterman die or even feel threatened whatsoever by a rip current. people die and get injured when they are in rips if they are not experienced and familiar with the ocean. as a surfer, sponger, bodysurfer, paddler and beach patrol member i will personally allow any person who is knowledgeable and experienced into the water in dangerous conditions, because i can trust that they are just as capable as myself in the water.
however, i would absolutely never, under any circumstances, ever let an inexperienced surfer/swimmer/sponger into the water. rips are no joke to the inexperienced. it's like a ski lift for surfing to us, but its a death trap to others. even a rip pulling for onl 25 yards is incredibly dangerous to someone who has not logged serious hours in the ocean.
any time it gets head high from tropical swell in ocean city we get a incredibly huge surge in rip current strength and activity. more water in = more water out. on labor day rips were pulling 100-150 yards out, which is a very strong and serious rip. sunday, as on labor day, people will not be allowed out past waist deep on my beach, and those i deem incapable will not be allowed in at all.
anyways, the point of all this is that your parents are going on the fear factor of rip currents and heavy tropical swell that the media and governmental agencies have successfully spread. though it does not apply to us, the experienced community, it does absolutely apply to everyone else, and we are the minority. your parents are looking out for you, and i grew up with the same concerns and restrictions. the best thing to do is have them watch you, and to explain what myself and these other guys have been saying. hell, my mom still calls after a big swell to make sure im okay. if you feel in danger, get out of the water. its going to be BIG.
safe surfing all, ill see you in the water
