Owned and operated by Rockaway, Queens natives and life-long surfers, Mike Reinhardt and Mike Kololyan, the aptly named Locals Surf School offers group lessons for surfers at all skill levels. Classes—which include personalized curriculums as well as equipment—are run by certified instructors who teach all year. Schedule-friendly, these packages do not expire and are offered in a range of five to 25 classes—all of which …
Laru Beya Collective is a non-profit organization offering free surf lessons and water safety education to Black and Brown communities in NYC’s Queens borough. At Rockaway Beach, “environmental racism prevents access and comfortability: from lack of protection from lifeguards to poor beach maintenance, not to mention a stark wealth inequality along the channel.” This, coupled with a generational fear of water apparent in Black communities, makes …
Farewell to Iconic Photographer Ricky Powell Ricky Powell—often referred to as “the fourth Beastie Boy”—passed away in NYC yesterday, aged 59. Best known for capturing images of the city’s downtown music and arts scenes (and for his quick wit), Powell had an instinctual approach that resulted in artistic, sharp and adept images. Born and raised in NYC, Powell began shooting in the mid-’80s and since …
