Currents are as much a part of the ocean as the waves themselves. You may not always see them, but they determine every session. It is especially important for beginner surfers to know how currents work—and how to deal with them safely.

Table of Contents

What are currents?

Currents are caused by wind, tides, temperature differences, and the shape of the seabed.
They move water—sometimes gently, sometimes forcefully—and directly influence how and where waves break.

What types of currents are there?

Global currents

These are huge ocean currents that stretch across entire oceans, such as the Gulf Stream.
They are caused by long-term differences in temperature and salinity.
Relevant for surfers:

They influence the climate of a region.
They determine wave energy and swell directions over long distances.

On Fuerteventura, we feel their influence indirectly: they affect how swells from the North Atlantic reach us.

Regional currents

They are formed directly on site by wind, tides, and coastal morphology.
Examples:

Changes in the current depending on the tide
Side currents on long beaches
Local effects caused by reefs or sandbanks

Relevant for surfers:
Regional currents determine your session—where you go out, where you get into the line-up, and how much power you need.

The most important currents for surfers

1. Longshore Current (coastal current)

Runs parallel to the beach and occurs when waves hit the coast at an angle.
You drift sideways—often without realizing it.

2. Rip Current

Die bekannteste Strömung.
Sie zieht Wasser vom Strand zurück ins Meer, oft durch eine „Lücke“ in der Sandbank.
Sie zieht dich raus, nicht unter Wasser.

How can you recognize a current?

Glattere oder dunklere Wasserflächen
Areas without breaking waves
Foam/seaweed that quickly drifts in one direction
Other surfers drifting sideways
A clear “channel” between breaking waves

The sooner you recognize a current, the more relaxed your session will be.

How do you behave in a current?

In a rip current

keep calm
Don’t paddle against the current
Paddle out parallel to the beach
Then relax on the way back to the shore

When drifting sideways

Regularly orient yourself towards the beach—find landmarks!
Take early countermeasures
Accept drifting when it gets too much – take a short break, choose a new position