Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25037
�:��t :'�," :' .� :·�'.,;'co'l , u in n �·u �b'a ri '�"�c:ess 'n ew yo rk SAIL THE HUDSON With the river's water declared "safe" last year, this sum mer is the time to work on your boating skills. Take a three-day sailing course (beginner through advanced) at the Offshore Sailing School, 800-221-4326. They have locations in Jersey City and Stamford. 1 hour radius PARASAIL IN FRONT OF LADY LIBERTY Strap into a harness and fly 500 feet above the Hudson River. Parasail NY (21 2-691-0055) gives para sailing rides from the marina behind the World Financial Center. Some suit-and-ties do it for lunchtime adventure. You don't even get wet-take off and landing is on the boat. Open seven days a week from 10AM to sunset. About 20 minutes in the boat and 10 in the air runs $55 per person. Discount specials avail able on weekdays. You have through mid-October to try it. This year Jetski rentals are also available. text: lesa and bunglemunch - photography: kris friedman - paul zullo .' SURF BRENDAN'S FAVORITE BREAK We had to pry it out of our spiritual guide, but he finally revealed his summer spot. Head to Democrat Point at Robert Moses State Park, Field 2, on Long Island. When you get to the parking lot head west about one mile. Demo's is a beautiful left that you want to catch on a light northeast wind and a southeast swell. Any questions? Ask Guy Gambino at the Field 2 lifeguard stand. FLYFISH IN THE CATSKILLS 3 hour radius SURF, BIKE AND GET NAKED ON BLOCK ISLAND Two years ago, with large hurricane swells wrap· 5 hour radius ping around Rhode Island's Point Judith, surfers up and down the East Coast flocked to Block Island. While its beach and reef breaks are no longer so secret (try the southwestern side, it faces Montauk and gets large swells that bypass Long Island). the rest of the island's activities are. Outfitters offer sailing, parasailing, kayaking, horseback riding and fishing (see www.block island.com). Camping is illegal but there are well-protected (read: hidden) coastal spots where one can accidentally fall asleep for an evening-or at least skinny dip. The best times to visit: pre-Memorial Day (the population swells from 1,000 to 20,000 in sum mer) or post-Labor Day. Ferries leave from Point Judith (401-783-4613). New London, CT (860-442-9553) and Montauk, NY (51 6- 668-5709 or 51 6-668-221 4). Block Island Chamber of Commerce: 401 -466-2982. MOUNTAIN BIKE SLATYFORK Slatyfork, West Virginia, in the Appalachians is a phenomenal place to ride (and actually seven hours away). Trails are technical and fun, plus at 2,700 to 4,700 feet, it's not high enough for altitude problems but high enough so that mosquitoes aren't a problem. Low humidity, too. And not crowded-there's 1 million acres of national forest and 1,100 miles of trails. Expert trails include Tea Creek Mountain or Bear Pen. For beginners there's the Greenbrier River Trail along the East's longest free-flowing river or the Gauley Mountain Trail. The Elk River Touring Center has maps, bike rentals (high performance demos from Independent, Ibis, Kona and GT), a whole foods restaurant and a renovated farmhouse B&B (304-572-3771, www.ertc.com). The center also offers instruction, week-long trips and clinics. Jackie Phelan, world authority on mountain bike instruc tion, holds two clinics: July 10-1 3 intermediate/advanced; 17-1 9 July beginner/novice. Cast away at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center's festival (91 4-439-481 0) on 6 June, 1-4PM on the banks of the Willowemoc Creek, Old Route 17. The festival includes a tagged trout fishing contest and a Danish casting competition. Fly casting instructors will give free lessons. Angler addicts shouldn't miss the center's museum. The fes tival is part of Eventure-the Sullivan County Catskills Competition Series. See http://co.sullivan.ny.us for more events. .