About Oregon Surf Travel
Traveling south down the coast of the Beaver State, we first endure the lush rain forests of the majestic Olympic Peninsula in the forbidding north — a horn of land resounding with the primeval energy of wilderness untamed. From there, it’s a sweep over the endless, monotonous lengths of nondescript beachbreak. The Oregon coast is a 362-mile-long cemetery of mariners, ships and sea goers who succumbed to the longest unimpeded stretch — no islands or reefs — of open ocean on Earth.
Oregon Surf Crowds:
“Crowds” are a relative term in these parts. Although you can surf alone for the rest of your life in this area if you so choose, there are a few spots that house an established local crew, namely Florence, Newport, and Seaside. The south-facing breaks obviously are in hot demand during the huge swells of winter and/or harsh spells of north wind, so expect to see other guys in the water at these breaks.
Oregon Surf Hazards:
The most prominent threat to your wellbeing (and your future beings) is the ocean water temperature. Dipping occasionally into the mid-40s but generally hovering around 50 degrees. Also beware of: gale-force winds, massive swells, demonic currents, and razor-sharp rocks are just a few of your worries. Last, but certainly not least, are the locals — some of the surliest on the planet. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about the great white sharks and floating telephone pole-sized logs.
Best Surf Seasons in Oregon:
1) Fall
Always your best bet. Conditions can either be influenced by the much-desired “Indian Summer” (slack wind, oily glass groundswells, sunshine and 80 degrees on the beach) or hint at midwinter chaos, with 25-foot seas, heavy rain and rigid south wind. With fall, though, comes the highest chance for scoring relatively perfect, clean waves and days that are capable of fooling surfers to believe they’re in a coldwater Indonesia.
2) Summer
You can get lost in the fog for weeks at a time in summer. If you can navigate through the disorienting pea soup and tourist throngs, windy conditions offshore often produce waves that rival a marginal day in Sweden. In many areas during early summer, the water is actually colder than it is during winter, as upwelling coaxes the temperature to delve into the mid and upper 40s.
3) Winter
Winter is the surly king of all seasons in this part of the world, funneling fierce storm tracks directly into the region and wreaking land havoc by way of flooding, landslides, power outages, downed trees, road washouts, and beach erosion. To put it bluntly, don’t visit the Pacific Northwest in the winter unless your goal is to sit in the car. Not only do the storm systems seem to be on a three-month-long conveyor belt, the surf itself is usually far too giant and out-of-control to ride.
4) Spring
Throughout spring, rain begins to taper off somewhat, allowing therapeutic binges of sunshine to rouse the land. Wildflowers bloom profusely and residents start to cheer up a bit (but still not toward you), while swells continue to rumble down from the northwest, gradually decreasing in size and consistency around April. Icy north winds howl around the clock during spring, rendering windsurfing in bays and lagoons as a choice seasonal sport.