Frankfort Police Chief Warns Swimmers About Rip Currents - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Frankfort Police Chief Warns Swimmers About Rip Currents

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As people start heading to the Great Lakes this summer, the City of Frankfort is warning them about dangerous rip currents.

The currents can pull a swimmer away from shore in a matter of minutes.

Frankfort's police chief says it happens ever year. The city posts signs on the beach but even so people get swept away, especially near the breakwall where the currents often form. They pull swimmers out perpendicular to the shoreline. Water safety experts say it is best to swim parallel to shore and get around the current before trying to swim back.

Fortunately, no one has gotten in trouble with currents in Frankfort so far this year.

The police chief expects to see more kids on the beach very soon and wants to remind parents to teach them about the risk.

9 and 10's Kyle Mitchell and photojournalist Jacob Johnson have more on the danger of rip currents.