Surf's up for wave lovers on Long Island
Photo credit: Photo by Pablo Corradi | People sunbathe in Oyster Bay on September 5, 2009.
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Long boarders looking to catch some waves will find great spots near ocean beaches off the southern coast of Long Island, from Long Beach to Montauk. Wanna ride The Big One? Grab your wet suit and surfboard and paddle into the spray at one of these spots:
Montauk
Montauk is "the biggest surfing destination on the East End," says Bob Rodgers, the Town of East Hampton's director of parks and recreation.
There are a dozen different surfing areas in Montauk, with one of the most popular being Ditch Plains, a relatively small, horseshoe-shaped beach area known for its waves. "Any surfer who's a surfer is there. They hold all the surfing tournaments there," Rodgers says. "And every day, the parking lot is full. Every day."
Residents park there for free. Nonresidents can get dropped off or purchase a yearly parking permit for $325.
Just how good is Ditch Plains? Well, when you hear a surf instructor in Hanolei Bay on the Hawaiian island of Kauai talk excitedly about his first trip to Ditch Plains, you know you're on to something here.
Surfing is allowed allowed at Camp Hero State Park, next to Montauk Point State Park.
Long Beach
Long Beach has permanent surfing beaches to the east of the swimming area, between Lincoln and Monroe boulevards and Maple and Pacific boulevards.
All surfers pay $10 for admission to the beach park and can catch some waves during lifeguard hours, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
A third area rotates from week to week. (The schedule is subject to change, depending on weather and water conditions. Check first at longbeachny.org .)
Jones Beach and nearby
At Jones Beach , surfers prefer the waters by the jetty near West End parking field 2. Surfing is permitted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
At Tobay Beach , also part of the Jones Beach complex, Oyster Bay nonresidents can surf Monday through Thursday, except holidays; town residents can surf any day. Oyster Bay residents pay $10 daily, $35 for the season; nonresidents, $15 daily.
Robert Moses Beach and nearby
Surfing is a year-round activity at Robert Moses State Park in designated areas on the western end, including one of the most popular places, Democrat Point.
Parking at state parks is $8 a car when lifeguards are on duty; $6 if they're off. (Surfing is not permitted during the fall fishing season.)
Surfers can do their thing at Smith Point County Park , east of the pavilion. Surfing is permitted at Fire Island National Seashore , west of the park, and at Watch Hill and Sailors Haven outside lifeguarded beaches.
Gilgo Beach and Cedar Beach
Surfers can put their boards in the water year-round anywhere to the east and west of lifeguarded areas at both of these Babylon Town beaches. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and admission is $30 for the general public, $15 for seniors.
Town residents must have a recreational beach pass and show proof of residency, a driver's license and vehicle registration. Nonresidents at Gilgo pay $30 a day on weekends and holidays, $20 on weekdays; $20 at Cedar on weekends and holidays, $10 on weekdays.
The sandbar and great waves have made Gilgo, "a renowned surfing area forever," says Celeste Kusmierski, executive assistant for parks and recreation. "People come from all over to surf there."
Hamptons
Popular Southampton spots are east and west of the Shinnecock jetty, although the only designated area is Little Plains, off Little Plains Road from Main Street. Surfboard rentals and lessons are available at Jettie's Surf, Skate and Snow, 109 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-0488; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; extended hours July-August.
Lessons
If you've always wanted to ride the waves, Surf Hampton (1688 County Rd. 39, Southampton, 631-283-8243) offers lessons at $100 an hour -- $150 if you'd like to go with the shop's specialist, Vinny McGann.
The shop also offers weeklong camps for kids ages 8 and older (Monday through Friday from June through August) for $475. The last camp is Aug. 25-29, 8 to 10:30 a.m.
The lessons change locations "depending on what the waves are doing," says windsurfing instructor and surfer Jimi Sobeck. "We try to find a good beginner spot. Depending on the tides, we'll switch places."
In Nassau, check out surf2live in Long Beach (516-432-9211; surf2live.com ) with certified master surfing instructor Elliot Zuckerman. Reservations must be made in advance. Group lessons are $65 and individual lessons cost $115-125. Groups typically kept small to accommodate all would-be surfers.
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