Xtreme Dreams Near Queens

Queens daredevils will find a way to get their hearts pumping at any cost. Fortunately, we know of a couple places where you can break a sweat without breaking your pocket.

Fly High Hang Gliding
5163 Searsville Rd.
Pine Bush, NY
(845) 744-3317
www.flyhighhg.com

Tubing
Tubing on Esopus Creek
Phoenicia, Ulster County
(845) 688-5553
www.towntinker.com

Adventure Course at Alley Pond Park
Little Neck Bay to Springfield
Boulevard, Union Turnpike
(718) 217-6034

New York City's first public high ropes adventure course is right here in Queens. It's the largest in the Northeast and Urban Park Rangers are also on hand to teach canoeing and fishing. Open weekdays from July through November.

Surfing at Rockaway Beach
90-14 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Rockaway Beach
(718) 318-4000

Rock-climbing
The Rock Health & Fitness Club
2211 31st St.
Astoria, NY
(718) 204-1400
www.therockhealthandfitness.com

Snorkeling
Mike Gayle Scuba and Snorkeling Adventures
Leeds, NY
(518) 965-8473
www.mikegaylescuba.com

Scuba Diving
Scuba Network
245 Old Country Rd.
Carle Place, NY
(516) 997-4864
www.scubalongisland.com

Skydiving
Skydive Long Island
4062 Grumman Blvd.
Calverton, NY
(631) 208-3900
www.skydivelongisland.com

Mountain Biking
New York City Mountain Bike
Association Summer Sprint Race series
Corner of Dyckman and
Harlem River Drive
May 29- Sept. 18
6:45 Registration, 7p.m. Start.
www.nycmtb.com

Surf In Peace In the Rockaways
By Emilie Schneider

A surfer takes a ride on an Atlantic wave off Rockaway Beach.

For those who want to catch some waves without booking a flight to California, look no further than Rockaway Beach, the only surfing-designated beach in New York City.

Having fun in the sun while surfing was not always legal at Rockaway Beach, as police issued summons to individuals caught in the act prior to the designation in April 2005.

"People were surfing and according to regulations that the Department of Health set, you can't swim or do anything without a lifeguard present," said Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach).

She said Rockaway Beach is the only beach available by public transportation and people were surfing without problems for a long time, but because of children drowning, New York City became strict and began to issue summons.

"We realized we had to pressure and work it out so we could have a surfing beach," Pheffer said.

The summons provoked a response from the New York City chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, a group dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches. Bringing a member-base of close to 1,000, the chapter worked with residents and surfers of Rockaway Beach to appeal to officials and park departments, said Doug Parent, chairman of the chapter.

"We have some horsepower behind our name," Parent said.

The surfing season starts after Labor Day when lifeguards are not present; therefore in order to designate a surfing-only beach, the lifeguard stipulation was eliminated.

"The beaches are used only by surfers all year around without a lifeguard present," said Adrian Benepe, Department of Parks commissioner.

The designated locations with the most reliable waves were chosen with help from the surfing community, Benepe said.

"We're happy to say that surfing is not a crime now," he said.

Since the beach has designated areas, they create a safe haven for surfers, said Councilman Joe Addabbo, adding that surfing is part of the culture at Rockaway.

Rockaway Beach does not offer lessons, but they are available through a surf-mentoring program. Surfing is permitted from Beach 88th to Beach 90th Street and more recently, Beach 67th to Beach 69th Street became the second surfing-only area because the popularity of the sport drew crowds.

"Surfers have come not only from New York, but other states as well," Addabbo said. "I think it is a positive step in the right direction."

The surfing-only areas provide a fun escape from the pressures of work and many surfers like Parent are able to get their fix during the day with out waiting for the weekend.

"I don't have to worry about not surfing for a month," Parent said. "We're all for it."