I AM sorry to disagree with H Simpkins, who claims "people have been drowned in the river after being caught in the strong undercurrents" (You Say, November 2).

As a lifelong river swimmer, I have often questioned the existence in our stretch of the Severn of these mythical undercurrents, blamed whenever a tragedy occurs.

They have definitely defied all efforts of mine to locate them. Certainly, there is a strong downstream current that increases in speed and intensity as the river rises.

What I suggest usually happens is this. People who have only learnt to swim in static water have a compelling natural instinct to strike out for the nearest landing spot.

The experienced river swimmer knows this is often unreachable by reason of the intervening downstream current.

Swimming against or across a current rapidly produces exhaustion with little or no headway being made. This is when drowning occurs and to an onlooker it probably looks as if the victim is being sucked under.

The golden rule of the river swimmer, which every river user should commit to mind is "never fight against or try to cross a current".

Always swim downstream with the current, gradually easing to the side and it will carry you to the safety of shallow water.

JOHN G HINTON, Worcester.