Anything Goes On

outhhampton of Coopers Beach, with white sand sloping gently toward the waves rolling coastline, parking and facilities, and not a rubber boot at the hearing, has been selected as the best beach in the United States in an annual survey published on Friday, coinciding with the start of the summer vacation season. "New York has world class beaches, but do not think many people in the United States know about them," said Dr. Stephen Leatherman, director of the Laboratory at Florida International University Coastal Research. Known by the nickname "Dr. Beach, this is 20 years Leatherman to compile a list of the 10 best in the country.

The list this year includes two beaches in Florida, and Leatherman said he was not worried about pollution from oil spills affecting those places. Siesta Beach in Sarasota took the number 2 spot on the list, and Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne was No. 10.

Leatherman list also features another New York Beach, Main Beach in East Hampton, Long Island, near Southampton. Main Beach No. 5 takes place in this year's survey. "When most people think of a holiday resort on the beach, going south," said Leatherman. "I think the kind of east end of Long Island is a well kept secret for most Americans."

Rounding out the top 10 are Playa Coronado, California (3), Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (4), Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu (No. 6), Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod, Massachusetts (7), Park Beachwalk Kiawah Island, South Carolina (8), and Hamoa Beach in Maui, Hawaii (9).

Coopers Beach has been a contender for first place in recent years, but this is the first time a New York beach has made the No. 1, Leatherman said. Consider factors such as water quality and temperature, cleaning, climate, sand, security and facilities in making your list.

Once a beach reaches the first position, withdrew from consideration in the coming years, he said. Leatherman said his appointment as number one country usually brings a beach as much as a 20 percent bump in tourism