LI changes, Caumsett added:


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Windsurfing, paddleboard OK at state parks
Originally published: May 18, 2012 3:44 PM
Updated: May 18, 2012 7:17 PM
By BILL BLEYER bill.bleyer@newsday.com

Photo credit: Newsday/Ed Betz | loria Neumair, of Port Jefferson, Paddles on a paddle board in Port Jefferson Harbor in Port Jefferson, NY. (May 13, 2012)
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Parks and preserves across Long Island

Windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding will be allowed at more Long Island state park beaches this summer.

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on Friday announced its decision to allow the two sports at ocean beaches where surfing already is permitted. The change is effective June 1.

"We're very appreciative of all the access changes that they were able to create," said Jack Riordan of the Long Island Beach Access Group, which has been lobbying for the changes.
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Parks regional director Ronald Foley said "paddleboarding and windsurfing were determined to be forms of surfing because the board is relatively the same and it doesn't have any propulsion. So after discussion with our counsel's office and others, it was deemed that we could allow these activities without changing our rules."
However, kiteboarding is not covered by the new policy, so it is still not permitted.

Last summer the parks agency allowed paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing at Heckscher, windsurfing at Orient Beach, and windsurfing at Wildwood on weekdays during the swimming season.

The changes affect the following beaches:

Jones Beach -- year-round at the west side of West End 2, at Field 10, beyond 100 feet east of the Field 6 picnic area, and at the West End boat basin; at all open parking fields from Oct. 16 through May 14; and west of Field 2 from June 1 through Oct. 15.

Montauk -- year-round from sunrise to sunset at Shadmoor and Hither Hills outside bathing areas; and at Montauk Point Dec. 15 through March 31 from sunrise to sunset.

Robert Moses -- year-round west side of each open field beyond the lifeguard-protected areas and Democrat Point west of jetty; Field 5 year-round on the west side; at Fields 2, 3 and 4 by permit only when fields are closed between Sept. 15 and Dec. 31, during daylight hours only.

"We look forward to continuing to work with" park officials to gain additional access to more remote beach areas accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles and now used only by fishermen, Riordan said. The group would also like access for windsurfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at Caumsett State Park.

The parks agency last year approved car-top launching of canoes and kayaks at Caumsett after a new parking lot near the beach is constructed.

Foley said it would continue to talk with the access group.