South Shields Surf CIC
Surf, SUP and water safety tips:
December 2025​
Did you know rip currents are responsible for over 60% of rescues at lifeguarded beaches? Do you know how to identify one and what to do if you’re caught in one?
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Rip Currents:
These are often strong and narrow currents caused by water needing to go back out to the ocean after waves push it into the shore. They normally move perpendicular to the shore. They can move at up to 5mph (which doesn't sound fast, but it’s faster than a human can swim) and will often only be 5 to 15 feet wide. They normally dissipate when they get beyond the breaking waves.
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A rip current can form if there's an area where the water can flow back out to the ocean easily: For instance, a break in the sand bar, or against a permanent feature the water can’t flow around like a pier, rocks, or cliff. If there’s no obvious channel or point to flow through, the water will flow out where there’s a break in the waves. These flash rip currents can appear anywhere.
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Rip currents are identifiable as they will be in the areas where there’s no waves and there may be foam, flotsam or jetsam visible in the current moving out to sea. If there’s no waves at all there won’t be a rip current.
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To escape a rip current swim perpendicular to the direction of the current into the area of breaking waves. If there’s no chance of doing this then try to relax and float, trying to get the attention of beach users and let the current take you out beyond the waves. Here it will dissipate and you can either get the attention of people on the beach or swim back to shore via the area of breaking waves.
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If you see someone in trouble at the beach then alert the lifeguards if on duty or call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
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ADAPTIVE SURF EQUIPMENT
October 2025
In case you didn’t know - we have a whole host of adaptive surf equipment at our disposal. This includes a variety of surfboards that have been adapted to include handles, chest raisers, and other modifications. This allows us to provide plenty of options when we do our adaptive and para surf sessions, so we can meet the needs of everyone and allow individuals to get the most from their surf. Many of these changes to our boards and have been created in collaboration with our friends at SurfDek based right here in South Shields and Peacocks Medical Group in Newcastle.
We also have some performance kneel and prone boards in our quiver! We are so happy with how these have turned out! These have been developed in collaboration with our friend Nico from Buried Surfboards. Nico is an incredibly talented shaper from the North East who has been developing his craft over the past few years.
Nico has helped us develop a few performance kneel boards - the first of which was test driven by none other than Jimmy Simpson! Based on feedback from Jimmy the template has gone on to be used in a couple of new boards that have found new homes with members of our para surf club. These are really dialed in shapes that help our para team get the most out of their surfing. They also come with a pretty tasty resin tint…
We also have two boards that have been modified to carry a chair - these are fixed onto the board and allow us to share the joy of surfing with everyone.
We are very lucky to also have access to the Beach Access North East beach wheelchairs - a vital piece of equipment that allows us to navigate the beach with ease! You can learn more at beachaccessnortheast.org.uk
Lastly, we are ecstatic to share that we have a new disabled changing facility at our base in South Shields! Featuring a super slick sliding door, hoist and changing bed, this is an incredible addition to our facilities that will make surfing with us even easier.
If you are interested in learning more about our adaptive and para surfing activities please get in touch at info@southshieldsurf.com.
