[ygjb]

That's a lie that people tell themselves.

It is fairly safe at most public beaches if: * you follow the posted signs for rules (e.g. where it's safe to dive, staying in marked areas), flags for current conditions * pay attention to weather conditions * know (roughly) when and how much of a change the tide will bring

Unfortunately, a significant number of people don't follow the rules, or underestimate the risk.

There is a reason many public beaches located within an urban center have lifeguards and patrols.

[alar44]

No, it’s true. Death by drowning in a riptide is a 100 people a year in the US. That’s almost literally nothing.