For your safety in the spring and summer, lifeguards are posted at many of the beaches in the area. If you see someone running into the water with an orange or red float in hand, it's probably a lifeguard. You can be called closer to shore if the lifeguard thinks you're getting too far out for your own safety, but don't take it badly. These trained professionals are looking out for your best interests. If you are swimming and are suddenly pulled in a frightening way by the currents, the most important thing to remember is to stay calm.
Panic leads to exertion, which leads to dangerous fatigue.
If you find yourself in a riptide, relax and let it carry you on its natural course toward the sea. Within a few minutes, it will dissipate. Then you can swim parallel to the shoreline to get out of the riptide area and back to shore. Do not try to swim straight back into shore against the riptide . . . Although the river is not particularly wide, it is deep 38 feet on average and has fast currents that have to be experienced to be believed.