Travel Oregon Blog » surfing

Splashing Around Oregon

Emily Watson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:31 +0000

The weather’s warming up. Soon it’ll be downright toasty, and you’ll be wishing yourself into the Oregon outdoors for a little water adventure. In Oregon, you can hang ten at the Pacific Ocean, get splashed on board a fast-maneuvering jet boat or take a kayak tour through wildlife-filled estuaries and wetlands. Basically, whatever suits your water fancy.

Rafting
Imagine floating on an Oregon river through peaceful stretches of calm water, under towering trees with abundant wildlife and no sign of civilization in sight. Then – BAM! — your raft shoots you through a pocket of Class III white water that leaves you giggling like a kid, and soaking wet. Sound like fun? Oregon’s mighty rivers—Rogue, Deschutes, Umpqua, McKenzie, Clackamas—and their many designated Wild & Scenic sections make our state one of the country’s most popular destinations for rafting. Why not get out and get soaked?

Find a Guide or a River

Kayaking
Oregon has a great range of kayaking opportunities, from estuaries and bays at the coast to the wetlands of Scappoose Bay near Portland to the white-water rivers of the Columbia Gorge. You can even paddle the Willamette River along the shores of downtown Portland.

Find a Guide or a Kayak Trip

Windsurfing & Kite Boarding
Some call Hood River the windsurfing capital of the U.S. thanks to the incredible Columbia Gorge winds. On an average breezy day, it’s typical to see dozens of colorful sails dance across the wide river. Both windsurfing and kite boarding lessons and equipment are available in and around Hood River and The Dalles.
Inland lakes at the southern Oregon coast offer other great spots for riding the wind. Pistol River State Park near Gold Beach has held at least three national windsurfing championships. Fifty miles north, Floras Lake is another popular windsurfing spot for both beginners and experts thanks to its sandy bottom and fresh, shallow, warm (68 degrees) water. Here, lessons and rentals are available April through September.

Find a Lesson/Rental Equipment

Surfing
There are surf shops all along the Oregon coast, from Seaside to Pacific City and farther south. Many of them offer lessons from certified instructors, as well as rental equipment for both surfing and body boarding. In Oregon, the Pacific Ocean waters are chilly so you’ll need a wet suit. And make sure to check conditions with local surf shops before paddling out.

Find a Lesson/Rental Equipment

Boat Tours
This summer, sit back and let others navigate you around Oregon’s scenic waterways. Hop aboard a jet boat to see Oregon at rip-roaring speed. Or, if you’re looking for a slower pace—or just want to avoid that windblown look—take a calmer ride aboard a bigger boat. Whatever your speed, Oregon has plenty of options.

Jet Boat Tours
Hells Canyon Adventures Jet Boat Tours
Hellgate Jetboats
Rogue River Mail Boats
Jerry’s Rogue Jets
The Outrageous, Willamette River

Other Boat Tours
Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler
Portland Spirit
Crater Lake boat tours
Marine Discovery Tours

A Break in the Weather, A Day at the Beach… Pacific City!

Connor O'Brien — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:05:19 +0000

Today was the first in many days (probably around 2-3 weeks) that the sun decided to shine. Today also, fortunately for me, coincided with my day off. I made the most of the opportunity and ventured to Pacific City .

Pacific City is unique in many ways, the first of which is that it has both a micro-brew at Pelican Pub (I recommend MacPelican’s Scottish Style Ale) and a couple of tasting rooms such as Basket Case Vineyards. Perfect for the man or woman, like myself, who enjoys watching the surf with a cocktail. The second is Cape Kiwanda sand dune, where the majority of the above pictures are taken on top, around the side and in the middle of. I was unsure of the parameters associated with my wondering on the cape and often found myself in situations where I would suspect a “Do Not Enter” sign should be. In all of my searching in the aforementioned areas I could not find a single sign or another human being which made the experience even more surreal and exciting. I will admit that at points I was a little uneasy when the force of a wave slamming into the cape shook the sand under my feet. Though there were not signs in the particular areas that I adventured into, after a more thorough search of the cape I did come across many well marked areas that were designated as “Do Not Enter.”

Cape Kiwanda and Pacific City draw many sportsmen. On any given day you may see a snowboarder/sandboarder shredding down the dunes or a para-glider trying to catch a southern breeze and float over the top. Most notably, you will see the sea scattered with surfers. The Cape helps to create a great reef break that beginners and advanced riders both seem to appreciate. If you happen to be one of those beginners just off the shore lies ones of Oregon’s most notable board shapers and rental services at Seven Surfboards. (For more on surfing on the Oregon Coast, read “Surf’s Up Dude“)

The Oregon Coast is a great place to visit this time of year with as you will find the beaches empty, the surf uncrowded and the dunes quiet. For those of us who enjoy the serenity of nature it is a perfect time of year to make your plans to explore one of Oregon’s many seaside treasures, Pacific City.

Editor’s Note: Connor is a freelance writer and photographer who describes himself as an “adventurous, explorative spirit” who has a craving for getting to “know his surroundings”. When he’s not fly-fishing, backpacking or rock climbing, you can find him writing on his blog, www.the-oregontrail.blogspot.com. Be sure to read Beach Safety rules before you venture out on the coast.

A Letter From Travel Oregon Magazine’s Very Own Editor

Ashley Moran — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:57:44 +0000

The team at Travel Oregon is very excited to unveil the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of Travel Oregon magazine. Inside you’ll find gorgeous photography and great stories about white water river rafting, organic craft beer, horsemanship, this year’s Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, and so much more. Also, you’ll find the fourth-annual Golf in Oregon guide, which features 166 course listings as well as in-depth profiles on some of our more famous places to play.

Emily Aanderud, Travel Oregon magazine’s fabulous editor, decided to share a few thoughts on the new issue:

As I sit here flipping through our Spring & Summer 2008 issue of Travel Oregon magazine, I remember all the great behind-the-scenes adventures of the last few months.

When the Nelscott Reef Tow-in Classic got the green light, I raced to Lincoln City to watch big wave surfers from all over the world tackle gargantuan 40-foot waves.

Then there was the time I tried to make the soup recipe from this issue’s Farmers’ Market story. Let’s just say I’ll stick to eating (not re-creating) chef Scott Dolich’s delicious Park Kitchen cuisine.

Travel Oregon’s art director was in on some fun, too. Nickie (she’s the one smiling big on page 23) got to raft the Rogue River with our writer and photographer. She came back to the office with hilarious stories of the writer who kept whacking her with an oar.

Sometimes I wonder if my bosses will catch on that work equals play for me. Until then, I’m off to hit the links. Research, of course…

See you in Oregon!
-Emily

P.S. Send me a note and let me know what you think of the new issue!

Order your complimentary copy of Travel Oregon magazine here, and start planning your own Oregon adventure!

Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic This Friday

Ashley Moran — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:38:15 +0000

We’ve just received word that Lincoln City’s Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic is expected to take place this Friday. The world’s top surfers were given 48 hours notice this morning, to prepare for Nelscott Reef’s 40 foot waves. Depending on weather, this contest could potentially be pushed to Saturday or Sunday. For more information on this contest, please visit www.oregonsports.org.

Interested in tackling some waves yourself? If you’re not a surfing pro, you can still get out there and experience Oregon’s waves. From Oswald State Park to Agate Beach to Bastendorff Beach, there are a number of waves calling your name along the Oregon Coast. While you’re out and about exploring, check out local surf camps and surf shops for all your water needs. For more information, please visit our Trips We Love section.

The Pacific Ocean hovers around chilly, so you’ll definitely want to step into a wet suit before paddling out. Like any surfing waters, please take caution and check the conditions before heading out. Talk to the folks at the local surf shops, where you can rent equipment and take lessons from certified surfing instructors. For more information, please visit www.oregonsurf.com.

Be On The Lookout For This Year’s Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic

Ashley Moran — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:40:16 +0000

If you’re in the mood to ride some sweet waves this season, you’re in luck! The 3rd Annual Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic is expected to take place during November or December of 2007, depending on swells. Check their website, www.nelscottreef.org for up-to-date information on when the contest will be taking place. And be sure to look for the following “traffic light” symbols:

Red light= no contest is expected in the near future

Yellow light= a swell has been forecasted, and is being tracked. Be on the lookout for the green light, which signifies 48 hours notice before the contest begins.

Green light= Contest will be taking place within 48 hours

Nelscott Reef’s Tow In Classic is the only professional tow in contest on the North American continent and one of only 2 professional tow in contests in the world. This year, the contest is also going green, by becoming the first surfing event of its kind to use the CarbonFree surfing program, to minimize its effects on the environment.

Each competing team at Nelscott Reef will participate in two 45 minute heats, and the five teams with the highest scores from this round will move into the finals. First place winners in 2006 included Garrett McNamara and Kealii Mamala.

Where else can you ride the waves in Oregon?
From Oswald State Park to Agate Beach to Bastendorff Beach, there are a number of waves calling your name along the Oregon Coast. While you’re out and about exploring Oregon’s waves, check out local surf camps and surf shops for all your water needs. For more information, please visit our Trips We Love section.

The Pacific Ocean hovers around chilly, so you’ll definitely want to step into a wet suit before paddling out. Like any surfing waters, please take caution and check the conditions before heading out. Talk to the folks at the local surf shops, where you can rent equipment and take lessons from certified surfing instructors. For more information, please visit www.oregonsurf.com.

What’s Going On In Oregon This July?

Ashley Moran — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:24:18 +0000

This summer in Oregon, we’ve got a few ideas to help you cool down. How about two nights at gorgeous Wallowa Lake in Northeast Oregon?

Or perhaps some chilled Sabayon with fresh raspberries paired with a glass of King Estate Vin Glace?

Maybe you’d prefer to just get out and splash around. In Oregon, we’ve got water coming out of our ears: 363 miles of ocean, legendary rafting rivers, lakes, and windsurfing waters. We’ve even got waterfront golf courses if you dare
to dip in between drives.

See you in Oregon, where we’re off taking surfing lessons.

~ The Editors

Surf’s Up Dude! World’s Top Surfers Descend on Nelscott Reef (Lincoln City, Central Oregon Coast)

Mo Sherifdeen — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:40:49 +0000

Surfing in Oregon? It’s true. With just about 48 hours notice, the world’s top surfers are descending on the central Oregon coast town of Lincoln City for the Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic. The contest is the only professional tow in contest on the North American continent and one of only 2 professional tow in contests in the world.

The large swells off Lincoln City are generated from the first winter Pacific storms to reach the Oregon Coast while a dominant high pressure system remains over the Northwest. What this means is….giant swells! The contest is scheduled to start today (this morning) and latest weather reports and models predict waves at the 30-40’ range. For live web cams and more information, visit http://www.nelscottreef.com/.

Where else to ride the waves in Oregon?
At the north coast’s Oswald West State Park, a half-mile forested walking trail takes you to a popular surf spot called Short Sands. It’s tucked between two giant cliffs, and surfers can ride on the north or south end walls. It’s a popular spot so be prepared to share the surf. Another great spot is Pacific City, near Cape Kiwanda. It’s a long stretch of surf, and a beautiful beach, with Haystack Rock just offshore and a sheer cliff to the north. And after a day surfing the swells, walk over to the beachfront Pelican Pub & Brewery for fresh fish and chips and a microbrew (try the Kiwanda Cream Ale).

The Pacific Ocean hovers around chilly so you’ll definitely want to step into a wet suit before paddling out. Like any surfing waters, please take caution, check the conditions before heading out and talk to the folks at the surf shops, where you can rent equipment and take lessons from certified surfing instructors. For more information visit www.oregonsurf.com.

Also…check our Oregon Coast Outdoor Recreation Page for other spots to ride the big one!

~ Happy Friday! Mo