The heat shimmered off the sand. The beach filled with holiday makers craving the coolness of the sea. From his lofty perch Angelo watched, and listened for languages.
“C’mmon mate.” No need to worry about them.
“Con rapidez. Vamos a nadar.” He’d keep an eye on them.
“Suyeongsikida.” He groaned. Koreans always spelt trouble. He watched them neatly place their towels in a pile before heading away from the flags to the smoothest water they could find.
He rang the alarm before their feet touched the water. As the riptide carried them quickly seawards, their saviours followed close behind.
In response to Charli’s flash fiction prompt where she asks:
September 14, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a riptide. How can it be used to move a story? It could be a stretch of turbulent water or a pull of another kind. Go where the prompt leads even if you find it unexpected.
Respond by September 19, 2017 to be included in the compilation (published September 20). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
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About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Angelo is an astute lifeguard, implementing skills probably not on the test for the job – and very fortunate for the Koreans who didn’t understand how riptides work.
A very clever story with a fortuitous ending.
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I know there is a big education programme for tourists coming to Australia to teach them elements of beach safety. Unfortunately when it comes to beach drownings after Aussie males on a Sunday afternoon the next highest group are tourists and Koreans for some reason top the list.
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Yep, the allure of smooth water tricks the uninformed. Good take, showing the perspective of the life guards.
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I’m sure they must pick out those more at risk.
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I thought this was a lovely response to this prompt, Irene.
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Thanks Robbie.
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