Dr Rip's Essential Beach Book

How do waves break and what makes good surf?

What are dangerous rip currents and how do you spot one?

What would you do if you got caught in one?

Australia’s best-known surf scientist, Rob ‘Dr Rip’ Brander, takes you on a fascinating and entertaining journey to uncover how our beaches form and behave, the science of waves and currents, how beaches respond to storms and climate change, as well as some of the hazards to watch out for, from tsunamis to the (unlikely) event you find yourself swimming with a shark.

Whether you’re a surfer looking for the perfect wave or enjoying the beach with friends and family, this book is a must-read for all ocean lovers.

About the Author

Rob Brander is a coastal scientist at the University of New South Wales Sydney who specialises in rip currents and beach safety. He has been giving talks on ‘The Science of the Surf’ to the community and thousands of school children since 2001 and gained the nickname ‘Dr Rip’ for his habit of jumping into rip currents and releasing harmless purple dye. He is a past recipient of an Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research and was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2023 for his service to coastal science and the Australian community through beach safety research and education. He is a former caretaker and a Life Member of the Tamarama Beach Surf Life Saving Club in Sydney. Rob likes bodysurfing and lying in hammocks on remote beaches, and has a secret passion for mountains.