Daughter’s rip current death motivates mom’s work
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Summer is quickly approaching and visitors will soon head to our beaches. But it’s important for visitors and we residents alike to understand the dangers of rip currents.
Wilmington residents Joann and Gay Swart know just how dangerous they can be.
“Our daughter Crystal died in a rip current in Wrightsville Beach,” Swart said.
In 2002 their daughter Crystal and her friends were swimming in the water, but found themselves in a scary situation.
“Sadly they were caught by a rip current and really just did not know how to respond when you get caught in one,” Swart said.
Since that day, they have spent countless hours learning more and sharing information. Just as we know prepared for tropical systems, she says we need to be just as mindful about rip currents safety.
“A rip current is essentially like a river in the ocean that can pull you away from shore,” Sandy LaCorte, National Weather Service meteorologist, said.
If you start drifting farther out, don’t panic and swim parallel to the coast.
“A rip current can happen on a beautiful sunny day or a stormy day,” LaCorte said. “It really doesn’t have anything to do with the weather it is what is going on within the ocean, the wind and wave energy.”
Swart says information back then was limited and after losing her daughter, that fueled the motivation to spread awareness.
“I’ve always believed if there was a need that you became aware of you have a responsibility to advocate and when we realized that the information was not getting out there we were compelled to make a difference,” Swart said.
She says lifeguards, the National Weather Service, organizations like NC Sea Grant and even surfers have played a huge role in getting the word out.
“We have tried to make the horrible loss of Crystal’s tragedy be an opportunity for others to learn and not have to walk that same journey,” Swart said.
This is rip current awareness week. LaCorte says at least 80 percent of surf rescues by lifeguards are rip current related.
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