So don't overestimate your swimming ability or overexert yourself. If you do become fatigued, however, backstroke or float. If cramped, massage the affected area and change strokes often. Swimming in cool water for long periods may increase the risk of hypothermia, a lowering of body temperature to a point where heat is lost faster than it's produced. Stay out of the water under these conditions.
Sandy bottoms cause painful abrasions.
Always ride the wave at an angle. Delaware's surf harbors few harmful forms of marine life. However, some jellyfish, particularly the sea nettle, can sting. Most stings received by bathers along the mid-Atlantic coast are mild and quickly relieved through applications of vinegar or a diluted ammonia solution. For more sever stings, call a doctor .