Coastal safety: the real hazards

Sneaker waves can surge far beyond the normal waterline without warning, on days that look calm from a distance — Parks Canada has issued extreme wave warnings for exactly this reason, closing beaches when combined seas are forecast at several metres. Beached driftwood logs, often large enough to look stable, can float and roll in a surge, trapping or crushing someone standing too close.

Cold water is a hazard in its own right: falling in even briefly during a wave surge, at temperatures rarely above 14°C, can cause cold shock and affect the ability to swim or climb out within minutes. Keep well back from both the waterline and any logs near it, especially after storms or during unusually large swell.