Private club could replace former surfer haven in Montauk

Surfers held a peaceful protest in Montauk over the weekend in effort to halt planned development

Montauk's East Deck Motel in 1988
Montauk's East Deck Motel in 1988

A group of surfers is trying to preserve a former Montauk surf haven. Over the weekend, about 100 surfers held a peaceful protest — a “paddle out” — to try to save 1950s surfer stronghold East Deck Motel.

ED40, a partnership lead by Energy Brands CEO J. Darius Bikoff, bought the motel for $15 million last year. The club that’s supposed to take its place will have 179 members, as well as a spa, a restaurant, lounge areas, an Olympic size pool and underground parking, the New York Post reported.

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The Ditch Plains Association in the Montauk area wants town officials to require an environmental impact statement before the new plan can continue, according to the Post. [NYP] — Claire Moses