How do you know if the beach is calm?

The wind is responsible for creating waves and swell, and the easiest indicator of sea conditions is wind speed. Wind speed is measured in knots, which are based on nautical miles. Five-knot winds or less will be barely noticeable, and you should have calm seas and ideal boating conditions.



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If you've ever spent some time at sea, you may have noticed that you felt a little wobbly once you were back on land. This wobbliness is “mal de debarquement.” This condition makes people feel like they're still standing on the deck of a ship despite the fact that they're safely ashore.

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It's a change of scenery. Some studies show that your senses experiencing the same thing over and over again can cause stress. When you change your setting and go to the beach, your senses are engaged in new sights, smells, tastes, and sounds. This can improve your mental state and increase feelings of relaxation.

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If the waves are 0-1 feet high (0-0.3 meters), the sea is “doable” and safe for swimming. If the surf height is 2-3 feet (0.8-1 meters), ocean conditions are questionable.

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Do not swim in the ocean during or immediately following rainfall. To further reduce risk of illness, wait at least 12 hours after a heavy rain to resume swimming. It is safe to wade in at any time (except during a thunderstorm!). Heavy rain can wash bacteria and possibly harmful pathogens into the surf.

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“The outcomes of the study support the epidemiological observations of increased risk of skin infections after swimming in the ocean. Cleaning the skin immediately after recreational ocean activities is recommended to reduce the opportunity for infection,” reads the study.

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