Rip Currents Are Dreaded by Surf Swimmers Everywhere

Multiple Choice

Rip currents are dreaded by surf swimmers everywhere. The standard recommendation for swimmers is if you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore. Why?

A) It will carry you in the longshore current which will take you ashore.
B) This recommendation is wrong; you should swim with the current and wait for it to die away, then swim to shore because the currents dissipate quickly.
C) This recommendation is wrong; you should swim toward the shore as fast as you can.
D) The current is moving offshore but is confined, so by swimming parallel to shore you can swim out of the current.