A broad illustration is given of integral swash zone models as a flexible and upgradable approach for formulating shoreline boundary conditions for wave-averaged circulation models. Integral models represent a framework in which various types of flow parameterizations can be fitted to give ever-improving descriptions of swash zone motions. Examples are given of such parameterizations and possible solutions for the evolution of the water flow at a mean shoreline. Recent studies aimed at including sediment dynamics occurring within the swash zone are illustrated along with ongoing research aimed at modelling longshore flows.