Long Island water sports: Paddleboard, kayak, Jet Ski and more
This summer, prepare to make a big splash. It’s time to get wet by engaging in some water sports. Here are nine ways to break into a new activity and spend the day having fun in the sun.
BOUNCE ON A WATER TRAMPOLINE
This bouncy watercraft is offered by the MTK Cruises boat charter company and is anchored in Lake Montauk. The trampoline has a runway that allows those aboard the charter boat to walk, climb or jump into the water. There's also a waterslide and a 12-foot-long Bag Blaster attached to the trampoline.
A birthday party is held at a water trampoline by MTK Cruises in Lake Montauk. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
"The trampolines offer fun in the sun from laying out to chill and chat with friends to handstands and flips into the water," says MTK Cruises owner and operator Tom Hoffman.
The trampoline is 20 feet in diameter and can hold up to 20 people when people aboard are just sitting around, but is limited to only a few (2-3) people when guests choose to jump around; the water trampoline is available June 12 through September.
COST From $375 per hour for up to 10 guests, with a two-hour minimum for swimming. $30 per person per hour for 10-33 guests.
MORE INFO 59 Star Island Rd., Montauk; 631-668-8079, cruisemontauk.com
GET A KAYAK DELIVERED
If you are staying between Orient and Mattituck, Eagle's Neck Paddling Company will bring a kayak to your doorstep.
Those who want to simply go for an hour or two also can rent a kayak at the Eagle's Neck stand at Orient Beach State Park.
COST Two-day rental (single kayak: $120; double kayak: $180; paddleboards: $150), four-day rental (single: $180; double: $250; paddleboards: $220) or one-week rental (single: $220; double: $300; paddleboards: $260).
MORE INFO 40000 Main Rd., Orient; 631-765-3502, eaglesneckpaddling.com
CONSIDER AN INFLATABLE
For convenience, outfitters sell a wide range of inflatable watercrafts including paddleboards, canoes, boats and kayaks. At Sea Eagle Boats in Port Jefferson, they introduced a new kayak for beginners, the EZLite 10, due to its easy paddling and drop-stitch technology that makes the hull more rigid.
"They are light and easy to handle," says vice president John Hoge. "When you are done, you can deflate it, fold it up and put it back in the car."
COST Inflatable kayaks start at $ $1,099.
MORE INFO 19 N. Columbia St., Port Jefferson; 800-748-8066, seaeagle.com
PADDLEBOARD AWAY
Stand-up paddleboard yoga may sound intimidating, but Deanna Arecco, owner and instructor at Salty Soul Yoga, says it offers a little something for everyone.
"I've noticed this is a big bucket list item for individuals," she says. "More than half of my students, it's their first time, and even if they decide to just sit on the board and breathe, they're still doing paddleboard yoga. I have done classes with pregnant women in their third trimester, a woman who is 80 years young, men, children, everyone."
Deanna Arecco, of Hicksville, far right, teaches a Salty Soul Yoga class at The Waterfront Center in Oyster Bay. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Salty Soul Yoga hosts classes at parks and beaches on Long Island, with a rotating schedule of classes. Locations include The WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay, Steers Beach in Northport, Gilgo Beach in Babylon and Heckscher State Park in East Islip. The community also looks forward to the annual Witches Paddle each October. Most classes launch at 9 a.m. Private groups, lessons and tours are also available for booking.
COST $45 per 90-minute session with rental equipment included; $25 for bring-your-own-board sessions.
MORE INFO Salty Soul Yoga; 516-729-4788, mysaltysoulyoga.com
JUMP ON A JET SKI
Head to Baldwin Harbor and take off on a Jet Ski on the Great South Bay, courtesy of NY Boat & Jet Ski Rentals. Groups can take a 75-minute ride overseen by a tour guide. Renters and drivers must be age 18 or older; passengers can be under 18 with parental consent.
Make waves on the Great South Bay with a personal watercraft rental from Boat & Jet Ski Rentals in Baldwin. Credit: Celine Lopez
"We work in a big open area where there’s not a lot of boat traffic," says owner Nick Karamoshos. "It’s relatively easy and not hard to get the hang of. However, everyone must be cautious."
COST $90 for one hour on weekdays ($110 for two people on one vessel), $100 for one hour on weekends ($125 for two people on one vessel)
MORE INFO 3093 Cornwell Place, Baldwin; 516-398-9928, summerboatrental.com
CATCH A WAVE
Rent a soft-top surfboard at Unsound Surf in Long Beach and hit the waves at Lincoln Boulevard Beach, across the street from the store. These 7-pound lightweight foam boards are user-friendly for riders age 5 and over. They offer a selection of new and used surfboards, wet suits and bodyboards for sale in the store.
COST $35 for half day (4 hours), $45 for full day (9 hours).
MORE INFO 359 E. Park Ave., Long Beach; 516-889-1112, unsoundsurf.com
PEDAL A BOAT
Take out a pedal boat at Belmont Lake State Park, where a foursome can simultaneously pedal while one person steers with the rudder.
Pedal around the lake at Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
There must be someone 18 or older on the vessel, and everyone must wear a life vest.
COST $20 for two hours.
MORE INFO Exit 38, Southern State Parkway, North Babylon; 631-667-5055, parks.ny.gov
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RIDE A TUBE, BOARD OR SKIS
Six people can climb aboard as a captain from Peconic Water Sports takes your group wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakesurfing and tubing on 23-foot Malibu, Nautique and Mastercraft boats.
East End locations include Southold, Shelter Island, Montauk, Sag Harbor and East Hampton. Captained fishing charters also are available.
COST $510-$700 per hour for group of six.
MORE INFO 631-680-0111, peconicwatersports.com
PADDLE PUB
Launching its two-hour trip from Patchogue and Huntington, the Paddle Pub Long Island vessel can carry up to 26 passengers, 12 of whom can pedal simultaneously while others enjoy relaxing in the lounge. They also offer rides on bamboo tiki boats called Cruisin' Tikis. The tiki boats can carry up to 12 passengers for a private boat rental and up to six passengers for public cruises.
Paddle Pub Long Island in Patchogue is a pedal-powered pub boat for the ultimate party on the water. Credit: Paddle Pub Long Island
People can sign up for open public cruises, as well as private rentals for bachelorette and birthday parties or other celebrations. The boats are helmed by a master captain and allow food and beverage to be brought on board (no glass bottles) with ice provided in coolers. The Paddle Pub boat has a dance floor and a sound system, as well as the option for private groups to add a DJ for an additional fee.
COST $59-$79 a person for public cruises, guests must be 21 and older; private pontoon charters start at $599; private tiki boat charters start at $399. Any age permitted on private charters, but passengers must be at least 90 pounds.
MORE INFO 116 Division St., Patchogue; and 1 Anchorage Lane, Huntington; 631-778-1433, paddlepub.com/longisland
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
