I’m an Aussie. I’m also a kook (A beginner surfer who doesn’t really know what they’re doing and is usually sighed at on sight). I grew up with the best beaches in the world at my doorstep. There’s a famous saying, “You can’t impress an Aussie with a beach.” While I found that true, I was pleasantly surprised with the Rockaways. Specifically, Beach 67th Street, where you’ll find a lineup of surfers and sometimes even dolphins and whales. It’s not as built up as other surf breaks in the area where you’ll find bars and food spots on the boardwalk, Sunday morning yoga, bands playing at night, and more.”
The simplicity of Beach 67th Street is what is so alluring. You can have breakfast or lunch just one block from the beach. Also, enjoy cocktails at the Rockaway Tiki Bar; for coffee, muffins and acai bowls, you’ll head to Locals Collective NYC (you can even store your board there); or for a delish pita bowl or Moroccan tea, you’ll visit Cuisine by Claudette.
COMMUNITY IS FIRST
You’ll even find organizations doing wonderful things for the community. For example, the Laru Beya Collective’s mission is empowering the historically excluded youth of the Far Rockaways through surfing. The Surfrider Foundation’s mission is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. In other words, it is an all-embracing community trying to help save our beautiful beaches and a “beach way of life.”
Even the Ramones wrote a Beach Boy-esque song in ’77 aptly named “Rockaway Beach.” Apparently, bassist Dee Dee Ramone loved spending time at the beach. Hailed as a “bubble gum masterpiece,” it’s one of their stone-cold classics.
While getting my fix year-round (that’s right, winter surfing is an actual pastime, even in the harshest of conditions), I’ve met some amazing folk while we bob about, waiting for the perfect wave. Trailblazers and brave souls are amongst us, each with a unique story. What connects them is a love for the ocean and an absolute unstoppable need (for many) to travel on multiple subways for sometimes over an hour to get to their favorite break.
THE CHAVEZ BROTHERS
Osvaldo Chavez, who owns Surfboard Tribe NYC with his brother Oliver, has been a Rockaway Beach staple since 2019. Out of a van and tent on 67th, they offer boards and wetsuits for all conditions and skill levels, a warm greeting and a smooch from their dog Maui. They see a lot of tourists who don’t have gear with them and, of course, NYC locals who prefer not to lug their boards on the subway.
“Our opening coincided with a really good swell day and people who either broke their boards in half, or were in town visiting who needed gear, found us right by the beach, so we became very available and reliable. We were the first in town to have a vendor’s license surf truck in the Rockaways.” Osvaldo said. “Most people are definitely surprised that surfing happens in NYC, but especially the fact that there is gear we could use to surf in the cold winters and stay warm.”
GINA JURLANDO
Warm bodies are a must, but so are a warm heart and soul. When Gina Jurlando first arrived at the Rockaways, she was shocked that it was totally a “dude scene.” A couple of other females were out there (and they were amazing). The whole vibe felt intimidating. She didn’t see diversity on the waves and wanted to be able to connect with others no matter their background or skill level. And so Yeasty Boys was born with an aim to create and foster connections in and out of the water—no matter how much of a kook you may or may not be.
Gina also curates community events including beach clean-ups, surf therapy and etiquette sessions, surf film festivals and more. Oh, and she even sold all her belongings and lived on a boat for a time. According to Gina, “I realized that a lot of women, fem and non-binary people wanted to surf. They were scared to go out alone and didn’t want to get in peoples’ way. It started very informally. Now we have 320 people in our community.” Gina continued, “It is such a diverse group of people of all ages, incomes, jobs and backgrounds. You can text the group and say, ‘Hey, I’m going out at 67th; I have a blue board so you can find me. Does anyone want to join me?’ At least one person will reply ‘yes, see you there!”
The thing that Gina thinks most would be surprised about is, “New Yorkers get a bad rap for not being the kindest, but for being intense. New Yorkers, especially in the Rockaways, are nice and very welcoming. We just want everyone to have a good time and do it safely.
BRIAN “BJ” JAMES
Known around town as the Nautical Negro (also the name of his book you can find in the link below), Brian “BJ” James is one of the pioneers of the growing black surf scene in the Rockaways. According to BJ, he started in 1997 when there was just one other black man with a surfboard. What surprised him more was that the Rockaways had great waves. He didn’t come from a family of beachgoers, but somehow, he clicked with the ocean and knew instantly he was “home.” Surfing had a race barrier, but BJ was ready to smash it.
“When I first started surfing, sometimes I would get negative comments. Now they all know me, and they know I’m not going anywhere. Most people are good and want to surf and enjoy themselves. It’s a much different surf break now for the kids coming up and anyone who might be seen as different. Everyone is out there; women, older people, different cultures and colors,” BJ said.
When referring to “the kids” on the beach, BJ said, “I also wanted to help the youth who either didn’t have access or the means to enjoy the ocean and surfing. I’ve introduced a lot of youth to the ocean. I wanted them to feel confident out there, seeing people that looked like them on surfboards. Now, there are many more people of color surfing; it’s for everyone.”
LESSONS LEARNED
While putting your toes in the ocean is a great start, so is getting lessons. There are ample surf schools that stretch across the Rockaways, big and small. There are many to choose from, but my favorite is NYC Surfing, the only veteran-owned surf school in the Rockaways. Jay Sigelak gives excellent surf instruction and often life quotes while on the board, such as, “The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun,” or “Stop trying—do it or don’t do it.” He also extends discounts to active duty, military veterans and first responders.
“When people think of NYC they think of the city. They don’t think about the ocean. But when you catch the surf bug it’s for life. It has a profound effect on people. I always think about what the character Bodhi in Point Break said: “It’s that place where you lose yourself and find yourself.” I’ve given lessons to people who lived in Manhattan and then they had to move out to the Rockaways to be closer to the surf.” Jay explained.
“People used to come to the Rockaways as their summer or weekend home, well before the Hamptons. This was the gem of NYC. I think that’s been forgotten. But there’s great surf and beaches here especially for learning how to surf.” Jay continued. “As we get older, we are way more in our heads; it’s harder just to let go. We get set in our ways. When giving instructions, I’m trying to get people to loosen up and let go. I’ll say to them—breathe, relax, don’t look down. I believe in you—but you don’t believe in you. Don’t quit on yourself.”
If you have long thought about starting a new hobby (read: addiction!) or getting back into it, now is the time and Beach 67th at the Rockaways is the place. The subway ride isn’t bad; you don’t have to bring your own gear, and you’re welcomed by friendly faces that soon become friends. Maybe I’ll see you out there. I’m the one spending more time underwater than riding on it, but I’m definitely the one having the most fun.
For more information on Surfboard Tribe NYC, visit surfboardtribenyc.com;
for Yeasty Boys, visit yeastyboysrbny.com;
for BJ’s book Nautical Negro visit amazon.com;
for NYC Surfing, visit nycsurfing.com