Beach Day: Sue Wicks
The Majestic Beauty of Untouched, Living Seashores
1/3
Sue Wicks on the bay. Photo by Conor Harrigan.
May 9, 2023, by Aeriel Brown & Ginny Woods. Photographs by Conor Harrigan.
In this regular feature, we chat with friends of Mastic Beach Conservancy — people working to protect our local waterways and community—about the thing that makes Mastic Beach so special: the beach.
SUE WICKS is a proud oyster farmer who lives in Mastic Beach. Growing up she spent summers on the water with her bayman father and came to love our local waterways. After a hall of fame career in the WNBA, Sue returned to her roots and pursued her passion for oyster farming. Today, she is the owner and operator of Violet Cove Oyster Co, a sustainable and environmentally conscious oyster farm. Sue is known for her dedication to her craft and her commitment to preserving the delicate balance of the local ecosystem.
Sue Wicks shares a few choice bivalves. Photo by Conor Harrigan.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL DAY ON THE WATERFRONT OR BEACH.
I love boating or a quick kayak over to the beach and enjoying Fire Island.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MASTIC BEACH?
My father used to park his boat at the marina here. I have so many memories of coming to Mastic Beach through these narrow streets with their many stop signs and overgrown canopy of trees, all the way to the untouched beautiful waterfront.
WHAT’S THE LAST PLACE YOU VISITED IN MASTIC BEACH? WHAT DID YOU DO?
I live in Mastic Beach so I see it every single day and it’s beautiful.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON HERE ON LONG ISLAND?
Long Island is always about the summer for me.
IF YOU COULD MAKE A SINGLE CHANGE TO THE MASTIC BEACH WATERFRONT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would love to see more trails and walks built along the seashore for people to see and experience the majestic beauty of untouched, living seashores.
WHAT’S YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF THE BEACH OR WATERFRONT?
My father keeping his boat here in Mastic Beach.
Sue Wicks on her oyster skiff. Photo by Conor Harrigan.
HOW DOES YOUR JOB, FARMING AND HARVESTING OYSTERS, AFFECT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WATERFRONT?
I think working on the water, makes me fall deeper in love with it, and care about it more as you do when you love things.
IF YOU COULD TELL PEOPLE ONE THING ABOUT THE MASTIC BEACH AREA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I think Mastic Beach is the last affordable housing on Long Island. Our beachfront community is singular in that it’s accessible. There are no private property signs saying “Don’t go here, don’t go there.” Mastic Beach is truly a community and something that we should cherish, and take care of because it belongs to us.
Follow Sue’s adventures on Instagram @violetcoveoysterco