Vero Riptide - Update

[mattsdad]

I have noticed that this time of year at Vero is very windy (too windy) and thus the riptides and strong waves. October is much better, in that the waves are big enough to have a great time in, but it is not so windy, and no riptides. However, I do have my 5 year old in a vest when he hits the strong surf! I have never worried about sharks and stuff like that at Vero. Sharks are EVERYWHERE in Florida. It is a fact of life, and here in Miami, news stations take great fun in scaring everyone by showing all the sharks right off the beaches here from a helicopter. Yet no one gets bitten!

 

[PamOKW]

To show how changeable things can be, here's an update from today's "Seaside Scoop" by Peggy Fisher. I didn't mean to cause panic, just awareness. So many people come from areas where they aren't familiar with an ocean beach and the respect it deserves. It's not Typhoon Lagoon.

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Reduced Riptide Danger. All the news from Wabasso Beach is great this gorgeous, sunny, low-humidity morning. The lifeguards were putting away the big “Experienced Swimmers Only” sign as the danger of rip tides is much lower today. But please note there are always some, particularly at low tide, so use caution and especially watch your children and pets when they are in the water. The lifeguards have also taken down the Blue Man O’ War Warning flag, and we spotted none on the beach today. (See Adopt a Beach updates below.)

The Melbourne National Weather Service Office and 12 others in the U.S issue Surf Zone Forecasts in which they give a rip current outlook for today and up to 3-4 days into the future. This forecast can be found at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/forecast.html.
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FYI -- Wabasso Beach "is" the beach at Disney's Vero Resort.

 

[debbiedoo]

From the former vero floridian. I have not talk to my mom today who still lives on the beach in vero.

Take her advice-stay out!!-She has told me of several shark attacks over the past 5 years. And even if you are a good swimmer, that may not be enough. My uncle was a navy seal, and he taught me how to swim, and I have been a strong swimmer, and have been on swim teams, and I will not even get in the ocean in those kindof conditions!! I miss the surfboard and boogies don't get me wrong, but that will be another day!!

 

[DizneeCM]

Riptides aren't seasonal - they can occur at any time of the year. You should always swim where there is a lifeguard (they will usually know if riptides are a problem that day). Local news usually will mention it too. Try to avoid swimming between shore and a sandbar - riptides often form there. Riptides are often associated with higher winds out to sea and often bigger waves (we spend most of the summer at the beach, so I've seen a lot of rough surf).