Wave pattern
- Wave size between 1 m and 1.5 m
- Waves break on the sandbar, then move shoreward and sideways in the longshore or literal currents
Hazards
- Inexperienced and weak swimmers are tempted into the water onto sandbars when they see people standing in shallower water
- Rip currents are stronger at low tide
- Sandbars are in close proximity to deep channels and hazardous rip currents
Risk assessment considerations
- Multiple flagged areas may be required
- Supervision of children and weak swimmers is needed
- Swimmers may be caught in rip currents
- Waves can wash swimmers off the edge of the sandbar into rip currents