Fun in the Sun - Five Top Summer Fun Ideas

Long Island Voleyball Association Players Relaxing and Playing at Robert Moses

BY KATIE STRANG
Newsday Staff Writer

July 26, 2007

Tired of hiding in the air-conditioning? Want to stay active by means other than pushing the lawn mower? No need to join a swanky country club to get your outdoor sporting fix.

Stray off the beaten path and give one of the more obscure summer sporting opportunities a try.

Long Island has lots to offer, and let's face it: It's swimsuit season. The exercise can't hurt.

DIG THIS

Looking for a tan and some tone? Hook up with Long Island Volleyball Association (631-422-5555) and enter your team in one of the 44 leagues that compete at Jones Beach and Robert Moses State Park. Men's, women's and co-ed leagues are offered, as well as opportunities for all skill levels. Watch for LIVA's 10th annual Beach Volleyball Challenge on Sept. 8, offering a chance to showcase your skills and soak up some fun for a good cause. (All proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County.)

PADDLING ABOUT

Bring your kayak, binoculars and a sense of adventure. Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve (516-804-2000) offers a free kayak launch every day, year round, from Meadowbrook Creek. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can tour Merrick Bay while scoping out the local wildlife and learning the history of the park. Come within two hours before or after high tide - otherwise, you'll have trouble paddling out.

ANGLING FOR FUN

Whether it's a business outing or a bachelor party, charter a fishing boat to try to wrangle up some of Long Island's finest. Satisfy your hankering for striped bass, bluefish, porgies, or sea bass by finding a crew that provides equipment, baits your line, slips those slimy suckers off the hook, and fillets your catch in time for dinner. Start with boats at Captree, Montauk, Freeport's Nautical Mile, and along the North Fork for charter companies to guide you around the best locations. (For a list of boats, see ExploreLI.com/outdoors.)

SURF'S UP

Surfing finds a home on the East Coast at Gilgo Beach. The Surf School (757-965-9659), run by former professional surfer Jason Borte, hosts three- and five-day camps through the end of August for tweens and teens (ages 7 to 17) looking to hang ten. Campers learn water safety and fundamental surfing skills. If that's not already appealing, an end-of-the-week pizza party and mini surf competition at the end of camp should be enough to entice even the most water-weary. For more, see billabong-camps.com.

TAKE THE PLUNGE

Named for the number of dives packed into one weekend, Death by Diving is a free, three-day scuba diving jaunt for veteran divers and beginners that provides an opportunity to check out some of Long Island's best sites. Run by The Dive Club, the seven-dive excursion begins Aug. 10 at Ponquogue Bridge in Southampton. Other stops include Gosman's Dock and Restaurant and Horton's Point. The final dive is Aug. 13 at Bayville Barge. Extra bonus: Complete five out of the seven dives and dinner's on The Dive Club. For more, see thediveclub.com.
Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.