October 2024 (ROTM#190) Park Beach, Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia

Thin green line = boundary rip current

Earlier in May I was invited to give a talk about the latest beach safety research at the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA) conference in Coffs Harbour. I always enjoy listening and spending time with professional lifeguards and their work and passion never ceases to impress and inspire me. But I got there early and went for a walk along the headland at the north end of Park Beach and watched this very strong boundary rip current pumping offshore.

 Boundary rips flow offshore against structures like rock platforms and headlands and in this case the waves were large and messy and the boundary rip was moving incredible fast – it’s hard to tell from a still image, but this one was churning. Can’t see it? It’s the narrow green gap between the white water close to the rocks in the foreground of the image. Park Beach has had several tragic drownings over the years. It’s a dynamic surf beach that is also easily accessible and Coffs Harbour is a popular holiday destination – al of which can make for a dangerous combination.