Surprise Splash Wave Topples Beachgoers
A wave can be strong enough to topple a person, and this family at the beach learned it the hard way. With their backs against the sea, the photo captures their utter surprise as the wave hits their backs. Waves can indeed pull a person to deeper parts of the water, especially in the presence of rip currents.
A rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of fast-moving water that can quickly drag swimmers away from the shore. These currents form when waves break strongly in some locations and weakly in others, creating a flow of water that moves seaward.