Most people understand that water surrounds New York City, but few realize that you can surf within the city limits.
And not only is it possible to catch waves on some of the nearly 600 miles of city coastline, it’s easy to learn as well.
This I know, from experience.
On a recent weekday afternoon I traveled out to the Rockaways and nearby Long Beach to interview one of New York‘s premier surfing families, the Skudins.
I had never learned to surf, nor did I plan to, but my fear of waves was no match for the sheer enthusiasm of the Skudin family, who could not understand why a reporter would not want to learn to surf, regardless of whether he had a bathing suit on hand.
Beth Skudin and her husband Dave have been surfing New York waters for over five decades and their four sons have been riding local waves since they were 6 years old.
Each week, the four-year-old surf camp run by their sons Cliff and Will Skudin teaches hundreds of New York kids and adults of all abilities how to surf.
And if the Skudin family can teach me how to surf, they can teach anyone to ride waves.
Beth Skudin with two of her sons, Will (l.) and Cliff (r.) at Skudin Surf Camp on Long Beach. (Jacob E. Osterhout/News)
“Seriously, I teach women who can barely walk how to surf,” says Will Skudin, 26, as we enter the water surrounded by a splashing gaggle of kids ages 5 through 18 years old.
“If you can stand, you can surf. Look at all these kids doing it. You’ll be fine.”
I guess nothing builds confidence like watching dozens of smiling children bobbing up and down on colorful surfboards, waiting for the perfect wave.
The Skudin surf camp, complete with 25 surf instructors, is one of a handful of wave-riding schools – like Surf 2 Live and Rockaway Beach Surf Camp – which have popped up on New York’s coast, an indication of the growing popularity of a sport more closely associated with states like California and Hawaii.
“When we started a couple of years ago, we only had 10 kids in our camp,” says Cliff Skudin, 29. “But surfing popularity has grown a lot recently in the New York area and now we have 10 times as many students in our camps.”
To emphasize the sport’s recent growth in the New York area, the Association of Surfing Professionals will host the first World Tour Pro Surf Competition on the East Coast at Long Beach in September. Will and Cliff are also promoting a new production company called NYSea, which attempts to draw attention to local surf talent.
“It’s all about local pride and taking advantage of the talent in the city,” says Cliff, the skinnier of the two brothers. “Are New York surfers going to wear California brands all the time? No! We want to emphasize our New York roots.”
One look down the beach crowded with both surfers and sunbathers makes it hard to realize that such a serene setting is only 25 miles from the heart of Manhattan.
(Although, the broken glass bottle of Heineken that sliced through the bottom of one local surfer’s foot was a nice reminder of the city’s proximity.)
The Skudins note that the geographical conditions on both Rockaway Beachand Long Beach are actually perfect for first-time surfers.
“We have some of the best sand bars ever to learn how to surf,” says Will.
A student learns to surf at Skudin Surf Camp. (Jacob E. Osterhout/News)
“They keep the water from getting too deep and create perfect, smooth waves for learning technique in a safe environment.”
For Cliff and Will, who are both big wave surfers trying to make it on the professional circuit and travel with their boards six months a year, the importance of surfing is not just to escape the heat.
“It’s more than just surfing,” says Cliff, who has a masters degree in physical education from Hofstra University. “Kids gain so much self-esteem in the water. They are learning water safety, overcoming their fears and developing a connection with the ocean.”
His mother interrupts.
“This is a sport where the kids aren’t afraid to give their best,” Beth Skudin says. “As a mom who has raised four sons, I have noticed that in other sports, sometimes there is so much pressure to succeed that the kids don’t try because they are afraid to fail. But with the ocean, you have to give it your all. There is no time for doubt.”
And I am giving it my all.
On my first three attempts at standing on my surfboard, I wave my arms frantically before falling into the water.
Having watched sunburnt 8-year-old girls and boys gracefully ride waves for an hour, I am fairly concerned that I’ll be shown up by kids a quarter my age.
But Will, who swims behind my board and pushes me into each wave, is not worried. “You’re so close,” he says, zinc oxide smeared across his nose. “Stop thinking about it and just do it.”
More so than the tranquil beaches and boardwalks, it is this positive, encouraging attitude that seems so out of place in New York, where walking slowly down the sidewalk or crossing your legs on the subway are crimes against humanity punishable by a severe tongue lashing.
“We try not to have that brash attitude that most New Yorkers have,” says Will. “We like sharing our good vibes and having a good time on the beach.”
The good vibes must have worked because the next thing I know, I’m riding my first wave. The rush of harnessing the power of the ocean, even a minuscule amount, feels so awesome that I immediately contemplate lessons for my entire extended family. “I could certainly teach your mom to surf,” says Will. “This is the melting pot of the world. We teach people of all races, religions and sizes.”
Back on the beach, Beth flashes a knowing grin.
“Surfing is so much more mainstream now and I just think it’s great that people who never would have tried this in their whole life are coming to camp,” she says. “They say you can find anything in New York. Well, here we are!”
YOU SHOULD KNOW:
It’s easy to say you want to surf, but much harder to actually get out there and do it. So here’s a quick guide to help New Yorkers catch some local waves.
Best times to surf
Early in the morning and right at dusk.
Where to surf
Rockaways: Between Beach 67th-69th Sts. and Beach 87th-92nd Sts. Access is free.
Long Beach: Between Lincoln Blvd. and Monroe Blvd. Between Maple Blvd. and Pacific Blvd. Beach access costs $12.
How to get there
Rockaways: Take the “Far Rockaway” A train (not the “Lefferts Blvd.” A train) to the Beach 67th St. station for $2.25. Walk up to the boardwalk and down the steps onto the beach.
Long Beach: Take the LIRR train from Penn Station to Long Beach Station, which will cost $8.25-$11.50. The beach is a short walk east, then south.
Surf camps
Skudin Surf Camp, SkudinSurf.com; (516) 318-3993
Surf 2 Live, Surf2Live.com; (516) 432-9211
Rockaway Beach Surf Camp, BoardersSurfShop.com;(718) 496-3371
Irie Brothers Surf Lessons NY; SurfLessonsNYC.com;(212) 368-3191
Surf shops
Boarders, 192 Beach 92nd St., Rockway Beach; (718) 318-7997; Boarderssurfshop.com
unsOund Surf Shop, 359 E. Park Ave, Long Beach; (516) 889-1112; unsoundsurf.com
