Stay Safe at the Beach: Rip Current Awareness Week

What Are Rip Currents?

Rip currents are powerful, fast-moving channels of water that flow away from the shore. They can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea, making them one of the biggest dangers at the beach. But don’t worry—if you know what to look for and how to react, you can stay safe and enjoy your beach day with confidence.

Watch and Learn with Adventures with Willy!

We know that learning about beach safety should be fun and engaging, especially for kids! That’s why we created an episode of Adventures with Willy all about rip currents. In this animated adventure, Willy the Pineapple helps us understand how to spot rip current and teaches viewers what to do if they ever get caught in one.

👉 Watch the episode here!

A huge thank you to Daryl Paul, Beach Safety Director of Panama City Beach, FL, for his expert guidance in making this episode both fun and educational!

How to Spot and Escape a Rip Current

🌊 Look for the signs: Rip currents often appear as a channel of darker, choppy water flowing away from the shore. Gaps in breaking waves or foam moving seaward can also be clues.

If caught in a rip current:


• Stay calm—don’t fight the current.
• Float or tread water to conserve energy.
• Swim parallel to the shore until you escape the current’s pull, then make your way back in at an angle.
• If you can’t escape, wave for help.

Stay Beach Smart!

Panama City Beach uses a beach flag warning system to keep visitors informed about water conditions. Always check the flags before swimming and never enter the water during double red flag conditions. If you see a red flag flying, that means rip currents are especially dangerous—it’s best to stay on shore and enjoy the waves from the sand.

Join the Rip Current Awareness Mission

At Pineapple Willy’s, we’re all about good times and great safety. Whether you’re grabbing a plate of ribs on our pier or soaking up the sun, we encourage everyone to stay informed and respect the ocean.

Help us spread the word about rip current safety by sharing our Adventures with Willy episode with friends and family. Education saves lives, and together, we can help make every beach day a safe one!

📍 Pineapple Willy’s – Good Food, Good Vibes, Great Beach Safety!