New York City gets first surfing beach

Despite water that is “freezing, black, and flecked with unpleasant yellow foam”, and being surrounded by streets “as dangerous as any in New York’s poor outer suburbs”, New York City’s first official surfing beach opened at the weekend. According to The Times, Rockaway Beach, described as “lined with apartment blocks, not palm trees” was opened to surfers after years of prohibition. Surfing has long been popular at Rockaway, the newspaper reports, but until now anyone catching waves has done to illegally because of an 1850 law that prevents access to beaches or stretches of water that do not have a lifeguard on duty. The Times reports that, in times gone by, police would occasionally enforce the law by issuing court summonses to surfers as they left the water but, although some were fined, most cases were dismissed. Adrian Benepe, New York Commissioner for Parks, is quoted as saying: “We have always thought the ticketing of surfers was faintly ridiculous. We have decided that enough is enough – it is time to allow these people to surf on their own beach.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd www.newsfromabroad.com