# Over Half of Australians Can't Spot a Rip. Here's What to Look Out For ![rw-book-cover](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/93643fc2d1a66f18abb534b5d4db0a98?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=960&cropW=720&xPos=280&yPos=0&width=862&height=1149) ## About - Author: Hanan Dervisevic - Title: Over Half of Australians Can't Spot a Rip. Here's What to Look Out For - Tags: #articles - URL: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-11/how-to-spot-a-rip-at-the-beach/104653036 ## Highlights research shows that **over half of all Australian adults are not confident in their ability to identify a rip**. So, here's what to look out for according to our two experts. Deeper, darker-coloured water Look for narrow, darker green gaps of water between areas of breaking waves. Professor Brander says to think of it as "white is nice, green is mean". "White is 'nice' because it means it's shallower and waves are breaking, bringing water shorewards," he said. "Green is 'mean' because those dark gaps that look like green paths going through the surf could be rips." ---