Surfing
For some water enthusiasts, they consider the crashing of the surf as their playground. Big curling breakers attract the attention of surfers while invigorating blowing winds fan the interest of sailboarders.
In Montauk surfers can find Ditch Plains where a jetty produces long-board waves. Turtle Cove, also a place considered worthwhile by surfers, is next to Montauk State Park (Ditch Plains is free to town residents; Turtle Cove has no public parking, foot path only).
Popular Southampton spots can be found in Shinnecock, just east and west of the jetty. The only designated area in Shinnecock is Little Plains Surfboard rentals and lessons are available at Jettie's Surf, Skate and Snow, 109 Main St., Westhampton Beach, or call at 631-288-0488.
Surfers can shoot the tube 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 life-guarded beaches. Robert Moses State Park is open to surfing too.
In Babylon, Gilgo Beach and Cedar Beach, outside lifeguard areas, are popular to boarders seeking the waves.
Nassau County’s surfing sites are at Oyster Bay's Tobay Beach, where both residents and nonresidents can surf any day. Jones Beach State Park, off West End Parking Field 2, Long Beach, between Monroe and Lincoln Boulevards, and at 6 other area beaches, on a rotating basis, surfers are welcome to try the waves. Call 516-431-1000 ext. 296 or 516-431-1021 for schedules and fees.
Sail-Boarding
In East Hampton, there's Lazy Point near the town boat ramp (residents free). On the North Fork, New Suffolk Beach permits sail-boarding. On the Sound, sail-boarding is permitted in Smithtown off Long Beach at the cutout (town residents only) and in Huntington at West Neck, Centerport, Hobart and Asharoken Beaches.
Kite-Boarding
Wind-surfing Hamptons, 1686 North Highway, Southampton, 631-283-9463, private and group sail and kite-boarding lessons in East End Bays. These beginner classes cover the basics of windsurfing for young students with the entire emphasis on fun! In three classes, 2 hours each, your child (8 years old and up) will learn to windsurf through specifically designed games and races.