September 2026 Column LAST SHOT AT SUMMERTIME FUN By Capt. John N.Raguso
September brings a lot of things to a head all at once…it’s back to school, back to work (for those lucky teachers who might have had the summer months off on vacation) and the realization that the summer is coming to a rapid close after the annual Labor Day holiday weekend. On the calendar, the summer of 2026 doesn’t officially end until September 22 nd , which signals the autumnal equinox on the firstday of fall, when the amount of daylight is equal to the darkness of night. Howevershorter days, shifting wind directions from the SW to the NW, cooler mornings and evenings, combined with an incessant march of tropical storms off our coast all signal that the end is com- ing sooner than later, but it’s not here just yet! There’s still time left to grab some last bits of sun, sand and surf, along with a few more- pleasant memories before the cold bite of winter shuts the door and announces that summer is officially done and in the books. Let’s take a look on how you can still get some“Indian Summer”in your life before the seasonal clock officially times out. A Day at the Beach Protected waters on east end beaches like Great Peconic Bay, Little Peconic Bay, Shelter Island Sound, Shinnecock Bay, Moriches Bay, Great South Bay, etc. areusually the first to warm up in the spring, but due to their shallow and confined nature, are also the first waters to chill out after the inaugural late summernor’easter hits the long island area. Those balmy 75-to-80 degree water temps of August start to reverse course as the calendar shifts to the middle of September. According to the annual stats, the water temp of the Peconic Bay dips to the upper sixties (average of 68-degrees F) in the month of the September, so be advised. The good news here is that the beaches become less crowded, especially with the rowdy college age crowd heading back to school. However, the combination of cooler water
temps with winds from the northern quarter might dissuade many folks from taking up this fleeting sun, sand and surf opportunity. If you are a loyal beach goer and/or sand bar seeker, it’s important to ascertain if your chosen location offers lifeguard support. What about rip currents? Ocean beaches can be subjected to dangerous rip currents as the waves of distant storms crash on the shore. If you are a surfing aficionado, this is your time of the year. But just realizethat you are also probably on your own, so it’s always best to buddy up with others who share your passion, just to add an element of safety to the mix. For sun worshipers, pick your
days wisely and remember to still use sunscreen protection in the cooler Indian Summer air. Watersports in the Bays Kayakers, the wave runner and jet ski crowd, tubers, skiers and electric air foil board fanatics can still get in a few last licks of summer, especially when operating in protected bays. On those windy days, try to find some wind-blocking lee from nearby land masses so you can have fun in sheltered waterways. When I’m pulling water toys in the Great Peconic Bay coming out of Jamesport, depending on which way the wind is blowing, I can usually find a calmer lee area anywhere from Robins Island to the east or Flanders Bay to the west. Efficient pre-planning can save the
day and allow your family and friends to still enjoy a fun day out on the water and avoid disappointment when the clock is limiting your future options. I’ve seen thewave runner folks operating all the way through mid-November. Their secret for extended operation in September and beyond is to wear a neoprene wet suit that retains body heat when water temps start to drop, made even more uncomfortable with the typical brisk NW winds that prevail this time of year.
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