Surfing and bodyboarding can be hugely enjoyable, but if you want to be able to enjoy them in safety then it is vital that you are a strong swimmer with experience in sea swimming. If you are new to sea swimming, it's a good idea to practice at a pool with a wave machine, or at a well-supervised surfing beach, before you try any surfing. If you're new to surfing, make sure and get some proper training from an accredited surf school before you take to the waves.

Rip tides

Sometimes, there can be a current, invisible to the outside observer, that is so strong that it drags swimmers out from the shallow water to the deeper water farther out before they know it. These currents are known as rips. It's best to avoid these for obvious reasons, and the coast guard should be able to show you where they are and how best to avoid them. If you do get caught in a rip:

Keep calm and don't panic.

If you have a board or an inflatable, hang onto it as it can help you to float. Swimming directly against the current is counter productive, as it will leave you too exhausted to be able to rescue yourself.

Instead, cut across the direction of the current until it is no longer pushing you further out then head for shore.

If you see another person getting carried away by a rip tide, alert the lifeguard, or call emergency services and ask for the Coast Guard.

Over a third of all the rescues made by lifeguards in recent years were related to surfing of one kind or another. If you can, wade across the ocean floor rather than swim, as this will at least give you some purchase.

To make matters worse, many surf shops knowingly supply potentially dangerous items, with the rationale that they are safe enough when used by experienced surfers. So if you are thinking about buying surf equipment, make sure that it is suitable for a surfer of your level of ability and experience, and be realistic about this, as it is your own safety that is at stake.

Of course, you should always make sure you're covered for emergency situations, especially when you're planning to take part in risky activities such as surfing. Have a look at the Go Travel Insurance website for a competitive quote on holiday insurance.