🔍 Key Concepts

• Bar crossings and how waves interact with current direction • Differences between ebb current and flood current at an inlet or river mouth • What happens to wave steepness when the current flows against the swell

💭 Think About

• Think about whether you want the current running with or against the incoming swell when seas are rough. • Consider which part of the tide cycle (ebb, flood, or slack) tends to make waves stand up higher and break harder on a bar. • Ask yourself: At what time in the tide is the water level highest and the waves generally least steep over a shallow bar?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which choices involve strong current against the swell, which makes conditions worse. • Check which options mention slack water, when current speed is minimal. • Consider which slack (before flood vs before ebb) usually corresponds to higher water level over the bar in most typical coastal inlets.