Grantmac said..
Around here we can get currents of +8kts, so a check of the currents is rather important.
It's a narrow area though with outflow being safer.

Wow, that could play havoc with your apparent wind!

Back in my windsurfing days I had the board separate at Gerroa probably 700-800m offshore. Couldn't catch the board so tied the rig around my ankle and swam towing the rig with NE chop. Don't know how long I was swimming but the wetsuit wore the skin off me neck from turning my head to breathe. Board was eventually retrieved but I think would have found it's way to Shoalhaven Heads. Went to Maui once and was told by a local that the current flows past the island fairly quickly and if something happens offshore and you miss the island when trying to swim back you are history. This played on my mind when I was in the water. I think he got the out of my depth novice tourist mind games victory.