🔍 Key Concepts

• Bar crossings and how wave height changes with current vs incoming swell • The difference between flood, ebb, and slack current at the entrance of a harbor or river • How water depth (high vs low tide) affects breaking seas on a bar

💭 Think About

• Think about what happens to waves when a strong current runs against the incoming swell over shallow water. • Ask yourself: in which tidal condition will the least amount of current be running over the bar, reducing steep, breaking seas? • Consider whether more depth over the bar generally makes it safer or more dangerous, assuming the same swell conditions.

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which option(s) describe a time of minimal current (slack vs flood vs ebb). • Check which option(s) give you maximum depth over the bar (high vs low water). • Eliminate any option where a strong ebb current might be opposing the sea and making the bar rougher.