Well, April Awareness month has gone surprisingly well, if I do say so myself. We’ve seen lots of information about water safety, learned a ton about which beaches to visit, and have even answered a few questions from tourists. Good times.

But what is an awareness month without a wrap-up blog!? Am I right?

So let’s go over the basic checklist (provided by the Kauai Lifeguard Association):

· Know the specific dangers of the site you are visiting.

· Know that rocks are slippery and waves can sweep you out into the ocean.

· Know that the ocean can appear calm and huge waves arrive 30 minutes later.

· Know where rip currents are and how to escape if caught in one.

· Know that shore breaks can pound you into the sand causing serious injuries.

· Know that waves breaking on reefs can hold you under water.

· Know that crossing streams during and after heavy rains can be treacherous.

· Know that lifeguards and local folks have this knowledge and can advise you.

· Know that swimming near a lifeguard is strongly recommended.

· Know that lifeguards are skilled and ready to offer assistance if you need it.

· Know that our free Kauai Beach Guide shows the location of lifeguard towers and can provide ocean safety information.

And remember, Kauai Explorer can provide you with the current ocean conditions each and every day. So there is no reason not to know before you go. When in doubt, don’t go out. It’s that easy.

Also, keep in mind that there are many water activities here on Kauai that are fun and exciting, despite the ocean’s ferocity. These activities (like scuba diving and surfing) are always safer in groups and when taught by certified instructors. And it’s always wise to try new water sports at lifeguard-protected beaches.

I hope you have a wonderful and safe stay here on Kauai.

Now, I’ve mentioned in my past blogs that high surf should be avoided. Why? Because it’s dangerous. High surf might look like fun in the old-time surfing movies, but in reality 85% of ocean deaths are caused by high surf. Let me give you an example.

Back in January of this year, two tourists from San Francisco were hanging out with some friends and exploring the coast of Kauai. They were walking along the rocks when a large wave knocked one man down and dragged him out to sea. In an effort to save his best friend, the other man jumped in to save him. Both ended up drowning. Their names were Brian Baker and Adam Griffiths.

That is why high surf is dangerous. The sea can be calm one minute and then a wave the size of your house can sneak up and take you out the next. It’s dangerous and easy to avoid. How do you avoid it? Well, listen to the weather warnings, check on the Kauai Explorer website, and don’t go to the beaches with high surf warnings.

So what causes high surf? Well, several different things can affect the surf. For instance:

North & West Sides – Winter storms are a big one here on the North side of the island. These storms cause the surf to grow bigger than normal from September through May. These storms can create huge and powerful waves that can easily take out a person or group of people. So when there is a winter storm warning, avoid the water on the North Shore.

South Side – Summer storms are for the South what winter storms are for the North. In other words, if a summer storm warning is in affect, avoid going in the water on the South side of the island.

East Side – Northeasterly trade winds affect this side of the island all year long. These winds make the ocean rough and create strong currents that can sweep you out to see. So check wind conditions before going into the water on the East side.

And then there are days when the surf is just high. In other words, just because it’s April and you’re vacationing on the South side of the island doesn’t mean there won’t be high waves. Sometimes high surf comes out of nowhere. Why? Because it’s affected by the wind, the waves, the tide, the obstructions in the water, etc.

So how will you know when it’s safe to take your family snorkeling? Well, that’s easy. You can check the water conditions only, watch for signs on the beach, watch the water to see if things are calm or choppy, or simply ask your local lifeguard. The lifeguards on our beaches are friendly, knowledgeable, and open to answering as many questions as you’d like.

Did you know that the waterline ebbs and swells throughout the day? You probably did, but I figured I’d ask anyway. This movement of the waterline on the shore is called the tide, and the tide is affected by the moon.

You see, tides are created because the moon likes the earth WAY too much. Seriously, the moon literally pulls at the earth, trying to bring the things on the earth closer to itself. But the earth is zealous of her stuff and holds onto all of it, all except the water.

Water is a funny thing. In its liquid state, water moves and sloshes and flows. This makes impossible for the earth to hold down, and so the moon pulls at it and actually gets it to move! In the ocean (or large lakes), you can see this pulling action in the form of the tide.

Each and every day, there are two high tides and two low tides. Why? Well, the moon is constantly revolving around the earth. And the moon is constantly pulling at the water. But if the moon is moving, then the direction it’s pulling the water moves as well, creating high and low tides. The sun comes into play as well, combining its gravitational force with that of the moon and the earth at certain points. So by the end of the day, the water has shifted drastically several times.

So how does the sun interact in this little game of push and pull? Well, during a full or new moon, the sun and the moon combine their gravitational pull. This is known as “spring high tide,” though it has nothing to do with the season. During this time, high tide is very high and low tide is very low. It is the most dramatic difference you will see in the tides.

On the flip side, during the moon’s quarter phases, the sun and the moon are working against each other. (More exactly, they are working at right angles to each other.) The result is a canceling out of tidal forces, causing high tide and low tide to be not much different.

So why is this tidal lesson important? Well, if you know about the tides and the phases of the moon, then you will know when it’s safe to play in the ocean! That’s right – it can be that simple. (Though keep in mind that each beach has its own little obstructions, issues, and water hazards.)

So let’s say that you are visiting Kauai during a quarter moon and you want to go swimming in an area with coral reefs. Is it safe? Well, chances are that it is. The moon and sun are canceling out most of the tidal shift, so you don’t have to worry about getting stranded in a reefed zone with the tide coming in.

But what if you’re visiting Kauai during a full moon and you want to go swimming in that same reefed in area? Well, chances are that you will have to be extremely careful because the tides will change drastically and rather suddenly. You don’t want to get caught sucked into the reef with the tide running out or stuck without a foothold when the tide is rushing in.

So there you have it. If you pay attention to the tides, you can easily understand when some of the safest swimming and snorkeling days are. And if you don’t want to go through the effort of checking the phase of the moon, you can always check with your local lifeguards or check the Hawaii Tides website for the answers you need. ☺

As you probably know, currents are pathways made by the motion of the water, often times affected largely by rocks, reefs, and other underground obstacles. The result is a strong force of water moving in a specific direction, whether you want it to or not. And, since most obstacles are under the water, it’s usually hard to tell where the currents are or how swift they move, unless you have a lot of experience with the water in a particular area.

Well, as beachgoers, we need to be aware of the currents that could adversely affect our trips into the water. After all, knowledge is power, right? If you don’t realize you are walking into a high current area, you could be easily swept into the rocks or out to sea before you realize what’s happening.

That’s why surfers get a feel for the area they are planning to surf before they start out. They follow the path of the water with their eyes and their boards. They make sure the currents won’t sweep them into a reef or a bluff with large or sharp rocks at the bottom. And that’s the way we all should be.

Whether you’re surfing, swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving, it’s important that you find out everything you can about the waterways around you. Do your research. Study the beach you are visiting or the landmark you want to see on the Kauai Explorer website. Ask residents about the areas you should avoid. And make sure that you know what to do in case a rip tide gets ahold of you.

Do you remember watching Finding Nemo? There is a large part of the movie having to do with the EAC (East African Current). During the movie, Nemo’s dad (Marlin) and Dori find themselves “riding” the EAC in order to reach Australia. Why are they “riding” it instead of swimming it? Well, the EAC is an extremely strong current. You can’t swim against it. You can’t fight it. So you must go along with the flow and jump out of it when you have the chance.

Well, rip tides are just like that. And if they snatch you and try to pull you out into deep ocean, you need to take the advice of Crush the Turtle and “Chill.” (Easier said than done, I know.) To help you, keep these three basic steps in mind:

1. Keep Calm. If you panic, you will probably drown.

2. Go with the Flow. Fighting a strong rip current is impossible, so don’t try. Your best bet is to relax, float along with the current, and conserve your air. Floating on your back will help you to breath easily and won’t cause you to waste your energy.

3. Wait. If you have taken any of my previous advice, then the people you came with will realize you’re missing or the lifeguard on duty will see you. And rescue will follow soon thereafter. Your only job now is to float and wait.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, tip currents are involved in more than 85% of drowning deaths at the beach. So know what you’re up against and have a plan before you get into the water. And if the water doesn’t look friendly, don’t go out. Choosing safety is never a bad thing.

Okay, so water safety is so important that I really can’t stress it enough. Hence an entire month of water safety blogs. But water safety doesn’t have to mean just avoiding the water. After all, swimming and water sports are REALLY fun! Water safety is about knowing the beach you are going to visit and following a set of basic safety tips… which I will list out here. ☺

1. Choose Lifeguards – The best way to ensure that you and your family stay safe when visiting the water is to hang out only at lifeguarded beaches. On the North Shore, those beaches include Hanalei Bay Beach Park , Haena Beach Park, and Kee Beach. So if you want to get into the water, go to one of those. However, avoid visiting Anini Beach Park and Lumahai Beach if you want to swim. They do not have lifeguards on duty.

2. Read the Signs – Lifeguards have several jobs, one of which is to place warning signs up for the beachgoers. So if you see a warning sign, DON’T ignore it. Read it and obey. These signs are not designed to ruin your fun. Instead, they are designed to keep you safe while you have fun.

3. Waves Come in Sets – When big waves are coming in, you might not immediately realize it. That’s because waves come in sets. Sometimes there can be a good 20 minutes between sets, meaning that the waves might not be large and dangerous when you get to the beach. That’s why it’s important to check with lifeguards and visit the Kauai Explorer website before you swim at any beach. If there is a large wave warning, you will be notified there.

4. Water Makes Things Slippery – I know this sounds like a “duh” statement, but sometimes it’s hard to remember this fact when you’re off having fun. Walking along the rocks is fun, until you step on a slick rock or piece of seaweed and fall. So remember that wet = slippery while you’re on the beach.

5. Know about water currents and undertow. As I’ve mentioned before, undertow is a sucking action caused by water running back out to sea after a wave. Often times, water will be running out as another wave is crashing in, making for very unstable ground that pulls you under. So don’t get caught unawares.

Of course, the most important advice I can give you is to listen to that inner voice inside of you. If the water just doesn’t look or feel right, get out. The lifeguards like to say, “When in doubt, don’t go out!” And it’s so true. Water sports here on Kauai should be exciting and fun. But the ocean cannot be tamed and often creates its own rules. So stick with your buddy, stay safe, and enjoy your stay on Kauai.

Did everyone have a great Easter? I know I did. We had a wonderful time with family and friends, enjoying the beautiful weather and experiencing the wonder of Spring. One of my favorite moments was taking my best friend’s children to the beach for an Easter egg hunt. We hid the eggs in mini sandcastles, dunes, and underneath beach towels. We used real eggs too! And when their mom decided to lay down and relax on her beach towel and got covered in yoke (oops… I hid that one), I don’t think we stopped laughing for 10 minutes. Good times.

And now it’s April, a time of big waves, spring break, fun times, and preparation for summer. In April, the world seems fresh and new and exciting and fun and perfect. All things are blooming and nothing bad can happen. And that has led me to one conclusion…

We need a few blogs about water safety.

I know, thinking about the dangers of the water isn’t something that normal people want to do during the Spring. But you know what – being safe while you play is SO important. And whether we like to think about it or not, the ocean can be dangerous. Trust me – I live on an island surrounded by water. I know what I’m talking about.

So this month I have decided to make this blog all about water safety awareness. I’ve termed it “April Awareness” month, and it’s going to be great. Sure, I’ll still be talking about fun places to visit and condos that are perfect for your families. But I’m also going to be warning you away from certain places and giving you tips on how to remain safe in each area of the island you visit. After all, we want you to come back and see us again, and you can only do that if you stay safe.

So happy April Awareness everyone! I hope you come out and see us here on Kauai. And if you are a resident, I hope you give me your feedback about the area and your suggestions for water safety.

It’s going to be a great month!