What exactly is Jupiter Inlet? Explain please. Is it a natural body of water with dangerous rip currents - or what? Living in Minnesota, I have never heard of it. When I read the story I was still perplexed as to what it was all about. it could have been a storm sewer for all I knew. Obviously it is not that.
Thanks for any explanation.
An inlet is a channel that allows ocean water to enter and exit a bay area. During the rise and fall of tides the current can be very swift with undertows
When the tides change, the current gets much like the Mississippi river up there in Minnesota.
I’ve fished in inlets and it’s a bit scary when the engine on your boat is going flat out but you’re still being dragged out to sea by the current. A swimmer who gets caught in it is just plain screwed.
It was probably a rip tide... Pulled the boys away from shore. If that happens just swim WITH the current until it peters out... then swim to shore. If a person panics and tries to swim to shore before the rip ends - tries to swim ‘against current’ they usually drown.
http://www.evsjupiter.com/main.htm
the next one up Sebastian can be just as ruthless;
http://www.sebastianinletcam.com
I love them both and being in the CG in that region for years, respect them more>
Some videos showing the hydrodynamics of Jupiter inlet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7x-pXdK1nU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gus-raNrO3A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9RDHkAK5qk