Update: Plans Scrapped for Jones Beach to Provide Surfing Competition Parking

Editor's note- The story was updated after learning that plans to utilize Jones Beach for Quiksilver surfing event parking had been changed.

in Wantagh was to serve as a main parking area for the taking place in Long Beach from Sept. 4-15, but plans for this were scrapped late this week.

New York State Parks spokesman George Gorman said the City of Long Beach withdrew its request to utilize Jones Beach for parking after a festival portion of the surfing event was due to the cleanup from Hurricane-turned Tropical Storm Irene. The festival, which was expected to bring in massive crowds to complement the surfing, was going to feature skateboard, motocross and music events.

No surfing event parking will be provided in Long Beach so Quicksilver had planned to utilize Jones Beach West End Parking Field #2 where a direct shuttle bus would transport fans to and from the competition. Jones Beach is about 10 miles from the surfing event, which will take place during the best four days or eight half-days of wave conditions from Sept. 5-15.

Jones Beach also served as a parking area for the U.S Open golf tournament when it made stops at the famed Bethpage Black in 2002 and 2009.

The will feature the world’s best surfers competing for a $1 million prize starting with trials on Sunday. Long Beach is the first East Coast community to hold the event, and the sixth stop on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour.

The City of Long Beach on Friday posted information on its website about parking and transportation for the saying the ideal place to park for shuttle service isat Barnum Island on Beach Avenue at Austin Boulevard, immediately north of Long Beach Bridge.