Question of the Day: City's Q&A on Surf Competition?

The City of Long Beach's website features a Questions & Answers (see below) about the Quiksilver Pro New York Surf Competition that's coming to the beach town in September. Have you read it yet? If not, you should know that it features information on everything from the competition to parking and road closures to the number of visitors expected each day.

If you have read the Q&A, does it answer your basic questions about the big event that will be held from Sept. 1 to 15? Are there other questions you have that you would like the city to answer? Let us know in the comments section below.

Quiksilver Pro New York - Questions & Answers

The City of Long Beach will play host to the Quiksilver Pro New York Surf Competition September 1 through September 15, 2011. This international event will offer a $1,000,000 purse, the highest ever for a surf competition.

Below you will find answers to many questions regarding the Quiksilver Pro. We think you will be as excited as we are to welcome this world renowned event to our shorefront.

As we receive updated information surrounding the surf event, it will be posted on the following websites:  longbeachny.org, ASP, and Quiksilver.  Thank you for your interest, and for your patience, as details for the event are finalized. 

ASP/Quiksilver Pro New York Surf - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ASP/Quiksilver Pro New York?

The Quiksilver Pro New York is the first major professional surfing tournament to be held on the East Coast of the United States. It will offer the largest prize purse of any professional surfing tournament, $1,000,000.

Where is the event going to take place?

The main surf site (Surf Zone) will be on National Blvd. beach just west of Lifeguard Headquarters. Additional surfing sites may be used at Lincoln Blvd. and Pacific Blvd. beaches.  Prior to the event, a section of National Blvd. beach will be closed to set up the judging area.  The second site is a festival experience with interactive activities, called the "Live Site," and will be located adjacent to the boardwalk between Edwards and Long Beach Boulevards.

When is the event taking place?

There is a 15-day window for the surfing portion of this event from September 1st – September 15th inclusive of the trials leading into the World Title event. The length of the period is to allow for the best waves possible and to account for days when there are no waves.

What happens at the “Live Site”?

The Live Site will feature action sports, concerts, fashion, and food & beverage, and it will be open from Saturday, September 3 to Sunday, September 11. It will feature BMX and MX bike demonstrations and professional skateboarding at a temporary skate park.  

Live Site Hours

• Weekends and Labor Day - 9am to 9pm    
• Weekdays - 11am to 9pm.
• Weekday activities and concerts at the Live Site will begin at 3PM

Will there be food and beverage vendors at the Live Site?
The Live Site will feature all types of food & beverages.  A section of the site will serve alcohol to adults who provide proper ID.  No alcohol will be allowed outside of the designated area.

How much surfing will actually take place at National Blvd. Beach?

There is a need for four full days (or eight half days) of competitive surf for the event to go through all stages to the finals. The days and times of the surfing competition will be determined each morning by the Association of Surfing Professionals and are dependent on weather and surf conditions.  Additional surfing events will take place, including the Fire Fighters vs. Police exhibition.  Please visit the quiksilverpro.com for competition times.

Who is surfing in the Pro event?

The Quiksilver Pro New York is an invitational tournament. Top surfing professionals from around the world have been invited to participate. Kelly Slater, a ten-time surfing world champion, will be among those participating.   He is to surfing what Michael Jordan is to basketball.

Are there beach or event related fees?

Beach fees are collected through Labor Day, Monday, September 5 until 6pm, when the Beach Park officially closes for the season.  Through and including September 5, a daily pass is $12 and an Economy Pass is $80 which allows 10 admissions. There is no charge to attend the Live Site.

How many visitors to our City do we anticipate?

Since this is the first time the City is undertaking an event of this scale, we can only compare similar types of events that have been presented on Long Island. For example, the Great South Bay Festival in Patchogue hosts approximately 20,000 guests every day during their 3-day music and arts festival.  Long Beach can expect about the same amount of visitors to the Quiksilver Pro, although we anticipate that the crowds will ebb and flow through both sites and over the period of 2 weeks.

How do we get to the event?

If you are coming from out of town, the LIRR brings you directly into the Long Beach station, which is a short six-minute walk  to  the beach.   If you live in Long Beach, we recommend that you walk, ride your bicycle, or use our local bus system.  Long Island Bus also provides transportation into Long Beach.

Schedules are available online at www.mta.info/lirr  and  www.mta.info/libus

If we drive, where do we park?

The ideal spot to park will be at Nickerson Beach in Lido Beach where direct shuttle bus service will get you in and out of the Surf Zone and the Live Site each day.  Limited parking will be available at the municipal parking area at the LIRR Station on Park Avenue.

There will be NO parking in the areas near the Surf Zone and Live Site unless you live in that area.   Residents who live in those neighborhoods will receive identification cards. Information about neighborhood IDs is forthcoming.

What about traffic congestion and road closures?

The Long Beach Police Department is working closely with the Nassau County Police Department and the NY State Department of Transportation to minimize traffic congestion. The goal of the City and the event organizers is to limit any disruption to our roads.  There may be some parking restrictions and/or detours during the two-week period.

How will we find out about these changes?

Please visit the City of Long Beach’s official web site (longbeachny.org), the LBPD web site (lbpd.com), as well as our Facebook (facebook.com/longbeachnewyork / facebook.com/longbeachpd) and Twitter pages (twitter.com/longbeach11561 / twitter.com/longbeachpd) for up-to-date information. If you live in the neighborhood of the Surf Zone you may receive special notifications via Swift911 (to register for Swift911 log on to longbeachny.org and click on the Swift911 logo).

Is the City prepared for emergency situations?

The City Police and Fire Departments and our emergency ambulance service will continue to provide assistance in the event of any emergency situation.  Regular emergency services will have no disruption during this event.

In the event of a dangerous weather or water condition, the competition and activities could be postponed or canceled. The City will post notifications as quickly as possible at the site, via LB and LBPD web sites, on Twitter and Facebook, or through Swift911.

Are there any guidelines I need to follow while at the Beach Park? 
Yes, please note the Rules of the Beach and Beach Safety information.

Rules of the Beach

• Alcohol on the beach or boardwalk is prohibited
• Cooking, grills and bonfires and fireworks are prohibited on the beach and boardwalk
• Camping or sleeping on our beaches is prohibited
• Animals are prohibited on beach and boardwalk
• Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty. Never swim alone
• The Beach Park officially closes at the end of day, Monday, September 5

For a complete list of guidelines and safety issues for our Beach Park, log onto our website. The above rules will be strictly enforced, with the City reserving the right to deny entry or remove anyone from the beach and boardwalk in violation of these rules.

Where can I get accommodations for the event?

Visit the LI Convention & Visitors Bureau for information about nearby accommodations. The Allegria Hotel in Long Beach will not be available during the two-week event because it is at full occupancy.

What about camping?

City Code prohibits overnight camping and sleeping on our beaches.  Additionally, sleeping in campers or cars on our streets is also prohibited .The LBPD will rigorously enforce the code during the two-week event.  Nearby Nickerson Beach Park offers camping accommodations. Call 516-571-7701 for information and availability.

School is back in session during for most of the two weeks. Will event activities conflict with school schedules?
As stated above, weekday Live Site events will begin after 3 p.m. and end promptly at 9pm.

Is this a televised event?

Yes. The surf tournament will be televised on the MSG network. Check your local listings closer to the event for specific times and dates. All Association of Surf Professional events are webcast live as well.

What about other scheduled events  – will they still go on?
There are many other events on our beaches and boardwalk that will take place during the Quiksilver Pro:

• The 5-Mile McAvoy Run – Labor Day, September 5 – This race start has been changed from the boardwalk to the Recreation Center (Magnolia Boulevard and West Bay Drive)
• The 9th Annual Long Beach Library Jazz Festival will take place from September 8–15 at various venues
• Freedom Flight 911, a kite exhibition honoring the fallen of 9/11/01 will take place at Riverside Blvd. beach on Saturday, September 10
• The Spirit Regatta will take place off National Blvd. Beach on September 10
• Michelle O’Neill Volleyball will take place on Saturday, September 10 at Grand Blvd. beach
• The LB Fire Dept. will hold a September 11 Memorial at Lafayette Blvd. and West Park
• Surfers Way, teaching children with autism to surf, takes place Sunday, September 11 at Riverside Blvd. beach

The City will keep the community updated on nearby events and activities, such as the San Gennaro Feast in Island Park (September 8, 9, 10, 11) and the Town of Hempstead Triathlon in Pt. Lookout (September 10)

About Quiksilver & The Association of Surfing Professionals

Quiksilver, Inc. is the world's leading outdoor sports lifestyle company, which designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, snowboards and related products.  The Company's brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people that connect with its board-riding culture and heritage.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976 and dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.