Paddling the New "Old Inlet" at Fire Island - Breach in the National Seashore from Hurricane Sandy

Several breaches in the Long Island Barrier Island chain occurred during Hurricane Sandy - one within the Fire Island National Seashore is known as "Old Inlet" because it has been alternately open and closed over the course of the last 2 centuries. A good thing for Bay water quality apparently and a really interesting place to paddle (not least because there's less danger of getting hit by a motor boat than at the official inlets).   Decided to paddle it with the GoPro Camera - click here for VIDEO LINK to "Old Inlet" Paddling Video. 

"Old Inlet" at Fire Island Paddling

Before and After Sandy - breach

From the Brookhaven/Southaven Blog: "On Fire Island directly opposite Brookhaven hamlet and the village of Bellport is a section of beach known as "Old Inlet." Between 1763-1827, this area had a wide inlet from the bay to the ocean. This inlet was important in the establishment of Bellport as a minor seaport. In about 1827, it closed up, apparently due to a ship becoming grounded in it. During the worst storms, minor ocean wash-over sometimes occurs in the region, running to the bay. And apparently, it has opened as a minor inlet several times since 1827, but mother nature quickly closed it up."