Things to Do in Westbury

All instructors at Cosmic Kites Kiteboarding boast certifications from either the International Kiteboarding Organization or Professional Air Sports Association, and instill others with the knowledge they've gained during land- and water-based kiteboarding lessons. During land classes, students launch trainer kites, while water-based lessons allow pupils to skip wakes and mow overgrown seaweed while learning fundamentals. For more advanced or specialized instruction, the staff also teaches participants how to perform special maneuvers, tricks, and jumps on water. Additionally, the staff can introduce clients to a range of complete kitesurfing packages, as well as new or used boards and kites, and boots and wetsuits.

Helming additional locations in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic, Cosmic Kites currently sponsors two Dominican riders in their global quest on the World Kitesurfing Tour. When not supervising adrenaline-soaked adventures, Cosmic Kites maintains existing kiteboarding locations, works to open new ones, supports youth sporting events, and develops new ideas for boarding safety that aren't as costly as installing inflatable beaches.

The ASA-certified instructors of New York Sailing School have been teaching the exhilarating art since 1968. With access to a fleet of beginner-friendly Sonar 23 skiffs, they instruct courses both on land and water, venturing out into the Long Island Sound with tender-footed aquanauts and Waterworld fanboys alike. NYSS alumni and ASA-certified sailors are also welcome to rent boats for daytime jaunts across the water.

Each day, sports persons enter a brick façade on 39th Avenue with bow cases and leather quivers slung over their shoulders. Queens Archery was founded in 1967 and remains a clubhouse for the city's archers, offering a practice range, opportunity for organized competition, and a pro shop that stocks all manner of gear for the sport with a small but passionate following. In recent years, interest in the age-old discipline has surged—in part due to the popularity of the bow-and-arrow-wielding characters in The Hunger Games series—bringing an influx of beginners eager to learn the sport to Queens Archery. In addition to the resident eagle-eyed veterans, the facility is home to a coterie of young archers who take part in the Junior Olympic Archery Development program. The JOAD program is administered by Columbia University archery coach Al Lizzio and certified teacher Erin Vecino, who help youths cultivate the sharp eye and steady pull necessary to be competitive-level archers.

Bayville Adventure Park stretches across land rumored to have been passed down by the pirate patriarch of the Bay family. Here, visitors can capture the Bays’ adventurous spirit by immersing themselves in adrenaline-pumping explorations. Attractions include the Mystery Funhouse, the Bungee Bounce Dome, and the Lost Temple of the Forgotten Maze, which showcases ancient artifacts such as ceremonial daggers, painted skulls, and the widely unpopular square wheel. Visitors also can attempt to scale an indoor rock wall and earn redemption prizes at the arcade, whose $500,000 worth of games include skee-ball and air hockey. To reenergize between activities, guests can stop by one of three onsite restaurants for hot dogs, pasta, or, if they’re old enough, a glass of beer or wine.

Helmed by United States Coast Guard captains, Western Sound Charter’s premium boats can just as easily jaunt through Long Island Sound to the Statue of Liberty as they can wend their way along fishing routes replete with striped bass. The fleet encompasses six boat styles, which range from a 25-foot hardtop to a child-safe sightseeing and fishing vessel, whose floodlights can illuminate night expeditions and easily stand up to the bullying of pompous lighthouses. The company can accommodate parties of up to 100, and an advanced pairing service matches each client to an activity-appropriate boat.

Inspired to share the experiences and camaraderie of Rockaway Beach's tightly knit surfing community, three friends launched Locals Surf School to do just that. Developing surfer technique for riders of all levels, the trio leads instruction that ranges from small-group beginners' lessons to one-on-one coaching. Each lesson takes place along Rockaway Beach, whose lively boardwalk affords diversions such as taco stands and pizza joints. The staff also claims lifeguarding experience, which includes CPR and first-aid training, and maintains an FAQ page to anticipate questions such as, "Do I have to get wet?"