Articles | Volume 21, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-115-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-115-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
14 Jan 2021
Research article |
| 14 Jan 2021
| 14 Jan 2021
Beachgoers' ability to identify rip currents at a beach in situ
Sebastian J. Pitman
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Canterbury, New Zealand
Katie Thompson
School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Canterbury, New Zealand
Deirdre E. Hart
School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Canterbury, New Zealand
Kevin Moran
School of Curriculum and Pedagogy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Shari L. Gallop
School of Science, University of Waikato, Tauranga, New Zealand
Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Robert W. Brander
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Adam Wooler
Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand
Viewed
Total article views: 4,155 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 18 Aug 2020)
| HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,996 | 1,077 | 82 | 4,155 | 441 | 70 | 97 |
- HTML: 2,996
- PDF: 1,077
- XML: 82
- Total: 4,155
- Supplement: 441
- BibTeX: 70
- EndNote: 97
Total article views: 3,287 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 14 Jan 2021)
| HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,599 | 617 | 71 | 3,287 | 168 | 59 | 82 |
- HTML: 2,599
- PDF: 617
- XML: 71
- Total: 3,287
- Supplement: 168
- BibTeX: 59
- EndNote: 82
Total article views: 868 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 18 Aug 2020)
| HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 397 | 460 | 11 | 868 | 273 | 11 | 15 |
- HTML: 397
- PDF: 460
- XML: 11
- Total: 868
- Supplement: 273
- BibTeX: 11
- EndNote: 15
Viewed (geographical distribution)
Total article views: 4,155 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 3,825 with geography defined
and 330 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 3,287 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 3,017 with geography defined
and 270 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 868 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 808 with geography defined
and 60 with unknown origin.
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
Cited
19 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Interpretable Deep Learning Applied to Rip Current Detection and Localization N. Rampal et al. 10.3390/rs14236048
- Surf zone-related drownings and injuries based on lifeguard records in Goa beaches (2008–2020) C. Venkateswarlu et al. 10.1007/s11069-023-05861-x
- Preliminary Investigation and Analysis of Beachgoers’ Awareness of Rip Currents in South China D. Zhu et al. 10.3390/ijerph20054471
- Evaluating the impact of skill development for drowning prevention: a relationship-building approach to community engagement P. Kamstra et al. 10.1136/ip-2023-044921
- Characteristics and beach safety knowledge of beachgoers on unpatrolled surf beaches in Australia L. Uebelhoer et al. 10.5194/nhess-22-909-2022
- Box2Rip: Instance Segmentation of Amorphous Rip Currents via Box-Supervised Learning J. Choi et al. 10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3578878
- Engaging beachgoers for drowning prevention: the spillover effects on non-participants P. Kamstra et al. 10.1080/17477891.2023.2189088
- The unexplored role of surfers in drowning prevention: Aotearoa, New Zealand as a case study J. Mead et al. 10.1080/17477891.2023.2239223
- Assessing risk associated with recreational activities in coastal areas by using a bayesian network M. Lee et al. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19827
- Field observation and numerical analysis of rip currents at Ten-Mile Beach, Hailing Island, China P. Hu et al. 10.1016/j.ecss.2022.108014
- Identifying risk factors and implications for beach drowning prevention amongst an Australian multicultural community M. Woods et al. 10.1371/journal.pone.0262175
- Policies and actions to support surfers in drowning prevention: insight from Aotearoa New Zealand L. Le Dé & J. Mead 10.1108/DPM-08-2024-0226
- Evaluating the effectiveness of a science-based community beach safety intervention: The Science of the Surf (SOS) presentation R. Brander et al. 10.1016/j.csr.2022.104722
- Samsun-Atakum Kıyılarının Rip Akıntı Tehlikesinin İncelenmesi D. ÖZTÜRK & E. MARAŞ 10.35341/afet.1083744
- Can the visualization of rip currents prevent drowning accidents? Consideration of the effect of optimism bias S. Endo et al. 10.1007/s11069-021-05023-x
- Awareness without learning: A preliminary study exploring the effects of beachgoer's experiences on risk taking behaviours P. Kamstra et al. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12186
- ‘I actually thought that I was going to die’: Lessons on the rip current hazard from survivor experiences S. Cornell et al. 10.1002/hpja.785
- Beach user competencies in rip current identification using videos and photographs on a New Zealand surf beach R. Irvine et al. 10.1007/s11069-024-07089-9
- Assessment of water safety competencies: Benefits and caveats of testing in open water T. Duijn et al. 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.982480
19 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Interpretable Deep Learning Applied to Rip Current Detection and Localization N. Rampal et al. 10.3390/rs14236048
- Surf zone-related drownings and injuries based on lifeguard records in Goa beaches (2008–2020) C. Venkateswarlu et al. 10.1007/s11069-023-05861-x
- Preliminary Investigation and Analysis of Beachgoers’ Awareness of Rip Currents in South China D. Zhu et al. 10.3390/ijerph20054471
- Evaluating the impact of skill development for drowning prevention: a relationship-building approach to community engagement P. Kamstra et al. 10.1136/ip-2023-044921
- Characteristics and beach safety knowledge of beachgoers on unpatrolled surf beaches in Australia L. Uebelhoer et al. 10.5194/nhess-22-909-2022
- Box2Rip: Instance Segmentation of Amorphous Rip Currents via Box-Supervised Learning J. Choi et al. 10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3578878
- Engaging beachgoers for drowning prevention: the spillover effects on non-participants P. Kamstra et al. 10.1080/17477891.2023.2189088
- The unexplored role of surfers in drowning prevention: Aotearoa, New Zealand as a case study J. Mead et al. 10.1080/17477891.2023.2239223
- Assessing risk associated with recreational activities in coastal areas by using a bayesian network M. Lee et al. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19827
- Field observation and numerical analysis of rip currents at Ten-Mile Beach, Hailing Island, China P. Hu et al. 10.1016/j.ecss.2022.108014
- Identifying risk factors and implications for beach drowning prevention amongst an Australian multicultural community M. Woods et al. 10.1371/journal.pone.0262175
- Policies and actions to support surfers in drowning prevention: insight from Aotearoa New Zealand L. Le Dé & J. Mead 10.1108/DPM-08-2024-0226
- Evaluating the effectiveness of a science-based community beach safety intervention: The Science of the Surf (SOS) presentation R. Brander et al. 10.1016/j.csr.2022.104722
- Samsun-Atakum Kıyılarının Rip Akıntı Tehlikesinin İncelenmesi D. ÖZTÜRK & E. MARAŞ 10.35341/afet.1083744
- Can the visualization of rip currents prevent drowning accidents? Consideration of the effect of optimism bias S. Endo et al. 10.1007/s11069-021-05023-x
- Awareness without learning: A preliminary study exploring the effects of beachgoer's experiences on risk taking behaviours P. Kamstra et al. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12186
- ‘I actually thought that I was going to die’: Lessons on the rip current hazard from survivor experiences S. Cornell et al. 10.1002/hpja.785
- Beach user competencies in rip current identification using videos and photographs on a New Zealand surf beach R. Irvine et al. 10.1007/s11069-024-07089-9
- Assessment of water safety competencies: Benefits and caveats of testing in open water T. Duijn et al. 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.982480
Latest update: 11 Jul 2025
Short summary
This study aimed to identify how well beach users could spot rip currents in real time at the beach. It was performed in response to the fact that rip currents are the leading cause of drownings on recreational beaches worldwide. We found that only one in five people were able to spot the rip current, meaning the vast majority would be unable to make good decisions about where it is safe to swim at the beach.
This study aimed to identify how well beach users could spot rip currents in real time at the...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint