Parks Canada warns of dangerous surf conditions at P.E.I. National Park
Surf conditions at three of the most popular beaches at P.E.I. National Park — Cavendish, North Rustico and Greenwich beaches — are being rated as dangerous, Parks Canada warned Wednesday.
"For your own safety, visitors are advised not to enter the water," the agency said on its Facebook page, citing the danger from rip currents.
Those are a hazard that form when waves break near the shoreline, piling up water between the breaking waves and the beach. Swimmers can become trapped in the rapid current and be swept offshore.
Stanhope and Brackley beaches were considered to pose a moderate risk on Wednesday, the post said.
"Exercise caution and swim only within your limits as rip currents are present," Parks Canada said in the post. "Supervised swimming areas are recommended."
If you are caught in a rip current, it's recommended you stay calm, tread water and conserve energy while attracting attention. Swimmers can also try to swim parallel to the shore to break out of the current.
If caught in a rip current, don't try to swim against it back toward shore. Instead, let it take you out to deeper water where its force will less, or swim horizontally along the shore until you are able to swim back in. (Steve Bruce/CBC)
The best defence against a rip current is to stay on the beach.
The danger is particularly high on beaches that do not have lifeguards on duty.
