Never underestimate the power of the ocean. Big waves are dangerous, but rip currents (rip tides), a strong current of out-going water from the beach, kept me busy during my life guarding days. Here are a couple of aerial photographs showing some big rips that I shot yesterday in Venice beach. The difference in water color makes the rip easy to see from the air. Unfortunately, rips are not as obvious from the ground.
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Large surf and rip currents at the breakwater in Venice Beach, California