A strong cold front moving through the Virgin Islands Saturday night led to windy conditions and rapidly growing north swells Sunday.
Sightseers gathered at Hull Bay beach on Sunday morning were alarmed by the temporary disappearance of Ken Klein Jr., who had gone windsurfing in the 35 mph winds and 10- to 12-foot swells. A survey from a higher overlook revealed Klein's windsurfing board circulating in the strong currents.
The very experienced Klein had been forced to body surf and swim from the outer break around the currents back to the beach. The conditions preventing anyone spotting him until he was within 100 yards of shore.
Robert Danet of the Planning and Natural Resources Department's Marine Division was on hand a few moments after Klein reached the beach. Danet said he was not responding to a call, just patrolling North Side beaches because of the extreme conditions.
The wave-driven currents swept Klein's equipment along about 150 yards off the beach but a swimmer was unable to catch it before the riptide carried it back out for another trip through the big waves.
Klein said he would try to catch it on the next pass, but was too tired from his ordeal to get back in the water right away.
North Side fishermen said during big swells the currents in the middle of the area off the beach are almost impossible to swim against and praised Klein for his skills in negotiating the rough waters.
