OutdoorFest at the NYTF: Go Outside & Explore

This weekend we had the opportunity to present at the New York Trav Fest (#NYTF) on the best outdoor adventures in New York City. We focused in on three sports: surfing, paddling, and trail running and invited three local experts to share their experiences.

Tyler Breuer, Rob Riccardo and Julieta Gismondi all began by exploring both the real and imagined barriers to being an outdoor enthusiast in New York City: the hassle of surf boards on crowded subways, population density, and water quality issues.

Quickly, each presentation moved into how they as adventurers have dealt with this. “There are miles of coastline available by public transit from NYC” said Tyler Breuer of Smash Productions. He highlighted three of his go-to spots including the Rockaways (Queens), Long Beach, and Montauk .

Rob stressed the need to explore, to go out and find the space to breath and run. He highlighted that you can find the serenity you’re looking for on the miles of trails in the Staten Island Greenbelt, Van Cortlandt Park, or Jamaica Bay.

Julieta came prepared for the resistance to paddling in the Hudson she often faces: a map showing the high quality of water that surrounds most of New York City. She also pointed out that the openness of the waterways around our area is almost unprecedented in terms of access in urban environments. She also spoke to the various sports that are available from kayaking to stand-up paddle boarding, to paddling with a surfski.

All three presenters have lived in New York City and explored their outdoor passions deeply. They are realistic about the challenges of living in an urban environment like New York  and prioritizing their adventure sports but also inspired and committed to continually discovering and exploring.

Rob summed it up best with: “Sure the trails aren’t the same as Boulder, but we also get to live in the greatest city in the world.” 

Header photo by presenter, photographer and paddle guide Julieta Gismondi.