There are 35 well-known surf spots on Long Island. Shifting sandbars and jetty breaks are common on the western end of the island, and rock reefs and point breaks characterize the eastern end.

The condition of these surfing areas and beaches is generally good, but issues of water quality, beach access, erosion, and shoreline structures are increasingly threatening some spots. Surfrider's Long Island Chapters report that something has been happening in the water because of the increased development and runoff or undetected chemical pollutants from places like Millstone. For example, shell fishing in and around the Long Island Sound appears to be declining because of the water quality problems. In addition, a proposed project to further armor Montauk Point to protect the lighthouse, along with the recent arrest of surfers for "illegally" surfing there, has made this an area of concern. See here for more info.

State and local restrictions on surfing are nominally based on providing appropriate uses to avoid conflicts between competing uses and maintaining public safety. Restrictions are often based on local conditions rather than statewide application.³³

Recognition by State

Although New York Coastal Management Program does not officially recognize ocean waves as a valuable recreation resource, or surfing as a unique outdoor recreational, economic, or cultural activity, surfing is one of the recreational activities that is considered to be a water-dependent use. As such, it is included in all state policies that address recreation and recreational access along the coast. The New York Coastal Management Program strongly protects the rights of access for public water-dependent uses, including surfing.³⁴

The New York SCORP recreation survey indicated less than 1% of those surveyed had surfed in the prior 12 months. While there were not enough surfer respondents to the survey to make generalizations, a much earlier study of surfers indicated that they are a very homogeneous group. The study showed that the surfing population was primarily male, adolescent, single, middle or upper-middle class, and Caucasian.

Neither the NYS Department of State nor the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation maintain information on surfing locations in New York. However, according to the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), a limited amount of research was done in the late 1990s indicated that about 2% of New Yorkers said that they had surfed in the previous 12 months. Further, this research did not include whether this surfing occurred within New York State or elsewhere. A review of available online information about surfing in New York State at that time indicated that the south shore of Long Island was pretty much the only area where surfing occurred within New York State. The primary state park visited by surfers was Gilgo Beach State Park. While OPRHP does not maintain information on surfing locations, more recently surfers have been requesting (and utilizing) access to state parks such as Montauk Point State Park. However, OHRP has maintained that surfing is not an allowed activity at Montauk Point State Park primarily due to conflicts with other existing activities such as “surfcasting” which is a type of fishing.

In 2004, OPRHP began a trial period that granted surfers access to Camp Hero — a park on the south side of the Montauk Lighthouse — for the first time since the land was acquired by the state in 1984. In May 2008 Surfrider Foundation's Eastern Long Island Chapter realized an important victory in their campaign to legalize surfing in Montauk Point State Park, and all ocean front parks in the State. East Hampton Town Justice Catherine A. Cahill dismissed the case against eight surfers who were ticketed in 2007 while surfing within Montauk Point State Park. The judge ruled that the law cited on the tickets does not apply to surfing, thereby clarifying that the prohibition of swimming at the site does not extend to surfing. More Info. Even more recently (January 2009) it was announced that surfing is allowed at Montauk Point State Park from December 15 to April 1. More Info.

Local Surfrider Foundation Chapters

New York City Chapter

Current issues for the chapter include:

Reviewing the Proposed Construction of a Liquified Natural Gas Facility off the Coast of Long Island
Supporting Eastern Long Island Chapter in their Fight for Legal Surfing in Montauk
Lobbying for The Better Bottle Bill

In addition, here is a summary of recent issueas and programs of the chapter:

Long Beach Sand Replenishment
The Army Corps of Engineers made a series of public presentations of the Storm Damage Prevention project for the coastal area of Long Beach in working sessions to the Long Beach City Council. The purpose of these public meetings was to explain the project and its consequential effects to the community.

It is the NYC Chapter’s contention that this project poses a significant threat to the future recreational use of the area for surfers and beach enthusiasts alike. For over a year NYC Chapter members have actively advocated the ACOE and the City of Long Beach for a more environmental and responsible coastal management plan. As a result of this work there have been some considerations made by the ACOE to summarize and address the interests of local interests in this area but, overall, the project has not changed much in scope.

In March 2006, Surfrider helped pack a community meeting to give input to the Army Corps of Engineers on the beach fill project.

Rockaway Beach
The NYC Chapter achieved a significant victory when Rockaway Beach was designated as an official surfing beach. Below is a history of this effort.

Timeline for Surfing Access at Rockaway Beach
By Victor Sinansky

Thanks for everyone's efforts in the establishment of the first designated surf beach in Rockaway Beach! A special thanks to members of our local government, especially local Queens Congresswoman Audrey Pheffer, local Queens Councilman Joe Addabbo, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Department of Parks & Recreation Queens Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, Rockaway NYPD 100th Precinct Captain Paul Piekarski, and Chairman of the Surfrider Foundation NYC Chapter Joel Banslaben. These officials above, worked very closely with the local surfing community to ensure not only future surf beach access, but to permit access during the past 3 years while both the neccessary code and law changes were enacted at the state and local level.

Below provides a three year timeline to reflect the events of both the community and goverment working together, to improve not only the quality of life in the Rockaways (ex. the ability to work in city (or metro) and have access to surfing), but the related economic benefits for those that enjoy both surfing and water recreational activities, to add Rockaway to their way of life.

In May 2003, The New York Police Department NYPD 100th Precinct (Rockaway Beach jurisdiction), under the leadership of Captain Talamo, began issuing class "C" summons to surfers. The reasons for issuing the summons, was based two events. First, Captain Talamo became the new captain at that time and was building an image as a "no nonsense" leader. Second, Captain Talamo strongly both promoted and implemented our prior Mayor Guliani's "Quality of Life Campaign", which sets goals to improve the quality of life for New York City Residents, by gradually ticketing activities that are defined as minor offenses.

During the entire summer of 2003, surfers were issued class "C" summons by the 100th Precinct police officers, if they were surfing after the lifeguards left their duty at 6:00 p.m.. Such issuing of tickets was permissible because the New York State Health Code statutes under Sections 6-2.2-,6-2.15 and 6-2.16 in summary states "No boating, water skiing, or surfboarding shall be permitted in the swimming and bathing area." The 100th precinct used this antiquated statute that was created prior to the mainstream popularity of the sport of surfing during the 1960s.

In a Rockaway Community perspective, the sport of surfing is an integral part of both the community and the economy. Over the past 50 years the Rockaway community has been a hard working class community. Many of these residents choose the Rockaways as their home, for easy accessibility to surfing, fishing, scuba diving and boating. However, Rockaway is unique, in that it is part of New York City, and is the only ocean front in New York City that has ocean wave crests, like Long Island and New Jersey.

June 2003, Rockaway surfers Victor Sinansky (resident & Surfrider NYC), Elena Kissel (Surfrider Foundation NYC legal counsel),Tim Hill (resident), and Xavier Ceniceros (resident), continued to work closely with local Councilman Joe Addabbo, local assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, The Department of Parks local Superintendent Jim Carfaro and the Department of Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe so that the New York State health code sections 6-2.2,6-2.15,and 6-2.16, which would both amend the definition of "bathing", to exclude the water "sports of fishing, scuba diving and surfboarding", as well as, indicate that these sporting activities of fishing, scuba diving and surfboarding are permissible at designated areas.

During August 2003, after the Rockaway community uproar of ticketing surfers, and it was determined that the state health code required an amendment which would take approximately 2 years, the Department of Parks agreed to permit surfing in the Rockaways, and the Rockaway NYPD 100th precinct did not enforce the antiquated rules and regulations of bathing.

The year-round (please note non-surfers that surfing is a year round sport in the Rockaways, through the use of winter wetsuits) interim rules that were set by the Department of Parks and recreation during 2003 and 2004 were that surfing is permitted when the life guards are "off duty", and beach access is permitted from 6:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.

During two years of persistence by the Rockaway surfing community, in May 2004 a 45-day comment period was held during the amendment of the definition of "bathing" and "sports of surfing, fishing, and scuba diving." As of July 2004 the New York State Health code statute had been amended.

However, the designated surf beach area had not been defined. During September 2004, The City of New York, The NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, and local Rockaway politicians agreed that a "surf only" beach would be established for 2 blocks. This "surf only" beach would be a designated two block beach section of Rockaway Beach, that "Only Surfing" and neither "bathing" nor "swimming" will be permitted, during the entire year (all seasons).

Also during September 2004 the Department of Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, requested a list of surfers for correspondence in obtaining preferences by actual rockaway surfers as to the appropriate two blocks of Rockaway Beach to be the "surf only" beach designated for surfing. A list was compiled and sent to Joanne Shapiro at Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer's office, which was then forwarded onto Mr. Adrian Benepe.

During November 2004, the first "surf only" designated surf beach location from Beach 88th to Beach 90th street was formalized. During the winter of 2005, it was determined that the "surf only" designated surf beach would be established just prior to the opening of the public beach access on the Memorial Day weekend. The ceremony for this historical designated surf only beach access was held on April 22nd (Earth Day), at the boardwalk, Beach 90th Street, Rockaway Beach.

At this point in time, no future action is required. However, as the community of the Rockaway's continues to grow positively, more visitors will establish residences and consider the Rockaway's their community. In a few years, because of both local surfing popularity, webcam availabilty (Surfline.com began in April 2004) and technological enhancements in surfing winter gear (which makes winter more like summer), another surf beach designation might be required by demand.

Additionally, the New York City Chapter membership is constantly seeking other actions and activities where our support counts and can assist in quick, creative change in favor of our water, beaches and seashores.

Central Long Island Chapter

The Surfrider Foundation's Central Long Island chapter was started in April 2004, by a group of concerned local beach-goers and water sport enthusiasts. Their goal was to educate the community on issues affecting the marine environment and rally support to help protect and preserve the beauty and integrity of Long Island's beaches and its natural resources.

In a short period of time, the chapter has made great strides in reaching its goals. And although we live on an island, we understand that no man is an island. We could not be where we are today without the dedication and support of countless individuals, families, and businesses.

The accomplishments achieved by the Central LI chapter since 2004, include:

Numerous public and educational outreaches
Participation in community educational events
Beach clean-ups galore
Hosting public speakers
Beach adoption
Campaigns for increased beach access
Paddle outs commemorating September 11th
Fundraisers
Family fun days
TV spots and interviews regarding our coastal impact

As beach-lovers, we recognize the tremendous inherent value of the world's oceans. With a strong commitment to our goals, we are confident that through community-focused efforts we will continue to foster stewardship of the environment, so that all may enjoy the wonders of the waves for many generations to come.

Beach/Surf Access
An Overview of Central Long Island Surf Access:
Late 50s / Early 60s - Beach access was not a problem anywhere between Rockaway and Montauk. [At best count there were 2 surfers.]

Mid 60s - The only access to Robert Moses State beaches was by way of ferry - out of Captree. No surfboards were allowed. The Robert Moses Bridge was not yet built. Rumor had it that surfing was permitted at Jones Beach until someone broke a leg surfing there and subsequently sued the state. That event ended surfing on state land until the 70s. Surfers accessing Democrat Point by boat ran the risk of having their board impounded by the State Police, if it washed up. And .. boards were impounded. [There were no leashes in those days.]

Late 60s - Beach Buggy/Fishing Permits used to access Demo were taken away from anyone caught on the beach with a surfboard.

Early 70s - Proactive efforts by a group of local surfers belonging to the ESA (Eastern Surfing Association) got the State to open up Jones Beach West End 2 for surfing during the months of December -> August. They conceded access to the fishermen during September, October and November .. knowing well these were prime surfing months. [* Still in effect today.]

Late 70s - The same group that was responsible for opening West End 2, worked another 8 years seeking access to all of Robert Moses State beaches. They were successful in opening Field 3 as a Pilot Program. [* It is worth mentioning this program was jeopardized - and almost lost - due to the constant disrespect of the red flags by uneducated surfers.]

Mid 80s - Town of Babylon Supervisor, Anthony Noto, moved to ban surfing at town beaches - citing beach erosion. Chain link fences were erected and signs posted 'No Surfing Permitted'. The conflict between surfers and local town government generated national interest. The grass-roots movement to re-open the beaches, combined with overwhelming support from concerned citizens, helped overturn Noto's decision and effectively ended his political career.

Early 90s - After a 15-year Pilot Program at Field 3, Bernadette Castro, New York State Parks Commissioner, conditionally opened all of Robert Moses State beaches to surfing West of the red flags.

Additional Facts - Since the 60s, it has been illegal to use a fishing [4 x 4] permit to access surf breaks at Hemlocks and at Democrat Point - punishable by loss of permit. Surfers of the 90s, through to present day, have enjoyed the most relaxed policing of surfing on Long Island since the mid 60s.

Today - Possession of a surfboard past the posted 'End of Surf Area' sign at the west end of Robert Moses Field 2 will result in a ticket for disobeying a posted sign. Emergency stopping only is permitted on a State Highway - stopping to discharge a passenger [with or without a surfboard] is not considered an emergency and will result in a ticket. The perceived increase in policing and ticketing at Democrat Point and Hemlocks will have to be a 'wait and see' to determine if this is an isolated issue or a 'new movement'.

Eastern Long Island Chapter
The Eastern Long Island chapter is dedicated to maintaining and acquiring beach and ocean access rights, to preserve our coastline and improve the overall quality of Long Island's coastal environment.

To Issues for the chapter include:

Surfrider Staff Contact:
John Weber
Northeast Regional Manager
732-567-1787

Information Sources

The summary of surfing areas comes from Surfer Magazine's The Surf Report issues for the state. Surfrider Foundation chapters were surveyed to establish surfing conditions in the state.

Other sources of information on surfing in New York include:
http://www.newyorksurf.com/
http://www.nynjsurf.com/
Surfline