JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – The waves along the coast caused by Hurricane Erin’s offshore intensifying momentum could be inviting to surfers, but officials warn beachgoers about rip currents as they hit the waters.
Many surfers, like Lily Walker, weren’t intimidated by the seven-foot waves. She took to the water for the second time on Wednesday.
“It was pretty chunky,” Walker said. “It was big, but it was really fun.”
Other surfers, such as Leila Jones, said the rip currents made the water treacherous.
“I would say, if you’re not experienced and you haven’t surfed a lot don’t do it, it’s not worth it,” Jones warned.
News4JAX Meteorologist Michelle McCormick said the danger of rip currents would linger for days.
“It’s going to be high until late Friday afternoon. There’s a high surf advisory. The waves can grow over the next 24 hours,” McCormick said.
“It was like fun, some of the rip currents were crazy, and they’d pull you under. But overall, they weren’t the worst. I’ve seen worse and been in worse,” Gavin Bradley said.
FYI | How to escape a rip current
Walker shared a warning for those least experienced swimmers.
“If you’re not an experienced swimmer or you don’t have a board, definitely be careful with where you’re swimming,” Walker said. “It can be very dangerous.”
The bottom line is that it is not the time to test the waters.
“This is dangerous surf. The folks we’re seeing have been here for years. They know what they’re doing. They know the precautions. They know the hazards,” McCormick said. “But it’s not the time to come out here and start experimenting.”
The high rip current risk is expected to last through late Friday. Experts warn that if swimmers get caught, don’t panic. Float and swim parallel to the shore until you’re free from the current.
