Rip currents( of riptides) can be fifty feet to fifty yards wide. Rip currents occur continuously but then they can suddenly appear or intensify after a set of waves. Some eighty percent of America's surf beaches are due to persons being caught in rip currents. Longshore currents, inshore holes, and other botton condition contribute to the making of rip currents. Inshore holes can also greatly increase spinal injury.