Long Island and Queens surfers???

i just bought a 6ft foam surf board and im 5'10" and i went to jones beach to try surfing i was sliding off the board had a hard time keepin balanced and then they told me to leave and that there was no surfing on the beach -_- so im wondering where is the beaches to surf at and that i can try to learn on my own and not too crowded....also whats are tips for keeping balance while lying down??? thanks
-kevin elmont, ny
-kevin elmont, ny