Beach hazard warning for waves, riptide in effect

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A beach hazard warning has been issued along the southern tip of Lake Michigan as the National Weather Service predicts "life-threatening" waves of three to six feet and dangerous rip currents.

Some kite surfers in Chicago are taking advantage.

"Whenever the wind blows from the north at Montrose, we can usually get out and kite surf a little bit," says Jeff Nelson.

But one person's delight can be another's danger.

"It doesn't suck them in, it pulls them out and people do what they shouldn't do which is swim against it," says Chicago Fire Department Deputy Chief Ron Dorneker. "So if you get caught in rip currents, the best thing to do is swim parallel to shore."

"It's really hard to swim in," says Jennifer Ascension, who lives in Berwyn. "When you're swimming that way, the waves push you in the other direction."