Rip Currents Other Helpful
31 For Your Trip
Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all
beach-goers. Particularly dangerous for weak
swimmers, they can sweep even the strongest
swimmer out to sea.
To ensure your family’s safety, always swim
near a lifeguard. If you see red flags flying, this
indicates that a rip current has been spotted, or
due to the conditions in the water, a rip current
is likely to occur (no swimming is allowed when
red flags are flying). If you find yourself caught
in a rip current, don’t panic; it will pull you away
from shore but it won’t pull you under water.
Since they are too strong to fight head on,
don’t try to swim directly toward the shore.
Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you
escape the current and can then make your way
back to the beach.
• Don’t try to swim directly to shore;
swim out of the current in a direction
parallel to the shoreline.
• Once you get out of the current, swim
at an angle away from the current
and toward the shore.
• If you become tired, try floating or
treading water.
• If you need assistance, wave your arms
for help. You should never swim alone.
Emergency Services:
• Corolla Beach Rescue
520 Old Stoney Rd., Corolla, NC
252-453-3025 • corollabeachrescue.com
• Carova Beach Volunteer
Fire & Rescue
2169 Ocean Pearl Rd., Corolla, NC
252-453-8690 • cbvfandr.com
Beach Info
Each year, thousands of
visitors enjoy the beautiful
beaches of the Currituck
Outer Banks. Here are some
ways in which you can help
keep our beaches safe and
protected while following
county ordinances:
• The dunes have been
protected since the 1930s;
walking or driving on the
dunes is prohibited.
• Open burning — including
bonfires — along the
beaches is prohibited;
licensed commercial
fishermen engaged in
fishing are excluded.
• Overnight camping on the
beach is prohibited.
• The wild horses should be
enjoyed from a safe distance
of at least 50 feet and cannot
be fed. (Prohibited by
County ordinance.)
• Do not park or set up beach
equipment next to the
water’s edge or dune line.
These are designated fire,
emergency and vehicular
traffic lanes.
Currituck County would like to
acknowledge the following individuals
for their contribution of photography
to this guide:
• Brooke Mayo Photography (familyfront
cover, seagull-back cover, two
girls on beach-p.1, horses-p.3, kids on
beach-p.8, bride & flower girls-p.12,
pelicans-p.20)
• Eve Turek (osprey-p.7, beach-p.13)
• Holger Obenaus (golf course-p.18)
• John Aylor (fireworks-p.26)
/corollabeachrescue.com
/cbvfandr.com