Beachgoers feel like they are being sucked underwater when the wave breaks over their head - this is an undertow. Bathers will be tumbled around roughly, but this return flow only goes a short distance to the next breaking wave. It will not pull you offshore into deep water.

Does an undertow pull you under?

Most undertows are not very strong, and the risk of one is most severe for inexperienced swimmers who are standing or swimming near breaking waves. An undertow can pull someone underwater for a few seconds, but if the swimmer remains calm and swims towards the surface, he or she should be OK.

How do you avoid undertows?

Swim parallel to the shore, out of the path of the current. Once you're out of the current, you can swim back in to shore. Most rip currents are 50 to 100 feet wide, so you shouldn't have to swim too far to escape its pull.