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Contact

Tide Walker Charters locations:

Cape Coral Fl. and on Pine Island Fl.

Punta Rassa Ramp on Summerlin Rd.

Cell #1: 239 994 7818

7290 Barrancas Ave, Bokeelia, Fl 33922

 

See Us on www.Tripadvisor.com, www.cyberangler.com

The Florida Guides Association. See  www.fishidy.com and www.hooked-in.com for fishing reports. Tide Walker Charters (Bokeelia) - Travelers Choice Award 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.  All You Need to Know Before You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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ATTENTION FLORIDA NON LOCALS

 

KNOWING THIS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

article by: Captain Russ Walker USCG Masters

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The Islands are beautiful. What wonderful place to vacation and play but always respect the forces of nature that are present.

If you choose to swim in the gulf water off the beaches of Florida’s barrier islands, know this. Rip Tides can be present at any time. Even if the weather is nice, no matter what time of day.

IF YOU GET CAUGHT IN ONE REMAIN CALM !!! DON'T FREAK OUT.

It takes courage and calm to escape a Rip Tide ( Current ). Training and knowledge of what you are up against helps too. Naturally, Your instinct is instantly going to be to fight it. BUT Stay calm. Tread water and gently drift swim to the side parallel to the beach. Even if it's forcefully carrying you out away from the beach. Conserve energy and think it through.

The tide will take you out away from the beach with a force you were not expecting. It’s scarry but don't panic. Tread water, gently swim to the side, conserve energy.

This script is not redundant. I can't say it enough. A strong Rip Tide can defeat even the strongest swimmer unless they apply the teachings contained in this article.

Continue to Tread - Swim gently to the side as you are able, not towards the beach and you will escape its grasp. Rip Tides are usually only so wide. Even if you are taken out a hundred yards or more you can beat it by tread water swimming - parallel to the beach, then back into the beach once it's released its hold on you. You will feel the release, then head on in.

Most people that lose their lives in a rip tide panic, then drown from exhaustion trying to swim straight back towards the beach against the tide in fear. Don’t do it. Reflect on what you have learned reading this article.

Life Jackets are rarely seen on a beach but...hey, why not start a new trend. How about taking a noodle or boogie board or anything that aids in flotation. Any type of PFD will bolster your confidence while aiding with flotation. It will prevent panic and aid in your escape. Use your head, stay calm and you will beat it.

Going to the beach? Remember the 6 P's:

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

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Best wishes to all of you, my friends. Stay Safe. Prayers to the family of the man we lost on North Captiva Island. He Saved his daughter but lost his life in doing so. 11 have died off the  Captiva Islands, 9 off N Captiva due to Rip Tides since 2019.

In Closing let me add. While the water is beautiful and inviting, if you have any inclination that a rip tide may be present, don’t go in the water over your knees. Take a PFD.

The number one indicator that a Rip Tide is frequent occurrence in a particular area is the visual evidence of the presence of a sand bar that leads directly away 90 degrees from the beach, straight out into the gulf water. BEWARE!

Remember what I taught you in this article.

Enjoy your vacation. Use your head.

Watch every member of your family at all times and stay Safe. 

Per Public Information:

Roughly 100 people drown annually in the U.S. Rip Currents, 2021 recorded 98 overall with 31 in Florida surf zones attributed to rip currents. 11 Right here near us off Captiva Islands. In 50% of rip current fatalities are male, and most occur during the months of June and July.

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Captain Russ Walker is a Saltwater Masters Guide licensed by the USCG

with over 59 years of Saltwater Fishing experience. A resident of Cape Coral for 14 years.

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© 2016  Tide Walker Charters  All rights reserved                                                                                                                               Background image courtesy of Jeff Gunn and Flckr

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