PNW - Great time for land locked bro

Hey Gang,

Took a trip out to Coast of Oregon a few weeks ago - from Calgary, Alberta. Spent some time sightseeing with the wife, and then we rented some gear and hit the water.

We camped at Oswalds for a few days and it was amazing. Great place for hangin and surfin. Everyone in the lineup and at the shops were really freindly and helpfull - the pnw gang rocks!! great bunch of people.

Anyways I'm more of a beginner, tried surfing for the first time in Hawaii a few years back and was hooked instantly. Surfed whenever I went back but too irregular to get anywhere really.

This was the first time suiting up and goin for it in the cold water. I have to say though it was awesome!! The 4/3 kept me nice and toasty for 4hrs at a time, I was surprised cause the water was low 50s MAX. I guess no different than me suiting up in Jan/Feb going skiing in -15oF

Air was about mid 60's mostly overcast, some sun, water COLD Surf wasnt bad was pretty clean little 3' or so, couple bigger here and there but still great!! Only a few people out approx 6, but all had a great time in the lineup. But I had a great time and so did my wife. Its a long trip out here approx 14 hours but well worth while.

I'm going to start comming down on long weekends to make this a more regular part of my life. Its amazing what surfing does to you, just gives a whole other perspective on your life - a good one

Some people think I'm nuts to drive 30 hours to surf for a couple days but most people just dont understand. Hopefully someday I'll be closer to where I could do this on a daily basis, but for now I'll try communting every month or so.

I'll be down myself on Sept 1-3, probably near Oswalds again incase anyone wants to hang out.

Anyways, just wanted to say thanks to the pnw crew and to share the stoke!!

Cheers,

Yes Oswalds is a lovely place have only surfed there 1 time it was early this summer. stop by the Wa state surf spots if it saves you time on the drive.

you should hit some spots in your own country and save your self the crazy exchange rate Lugan

I usually go the SW route - down through Spokane and then cut across diag following the gorge to hit portland, usually around 12hr to Portland from Calgary, then to the coast. Somewhere in WA would probably be the same, maybe an hour less? Where are some good breaks WA side - not familiar with them...

To Vancouver it takes about 10-11hr from Calgary, and then another hour or two for the ferry to Victoria/Nanimo and then to somewhere on the island. So no closer really.

Good thing Im a road trip person, and like driving anyways

I know, Exchange is crazy!! But it'll be a pretty cheap weekend, camping & camp food, surfing... Gotta love the no sales tax part though.

Cheers,

Take I-90 west from Spokane. I-5 south in Seattle to Olympia. From Olympia 101 west to the cutoff to Aberdeen. From there find your way to Ocean Shores or Westport. A lot closer than the OR coast, but the waves are not as good, the water is colder, and the sharks hungrier.

Man, what a heroic effort it takes to surf in your parts, friend. You might as well live in Idaho. Do you get a hero's welcome when you show up? I would be really interested to know the outcome. - Cirrus

Stop by Westport come fall there are 3 breaks there just look for the surfboards. Westport and Newhaven same thing.

Yes......go to Newhaven...can't miss it. Don't stop anywhere else till you find Newhaven.

Ive found people really friendly around OR. Dont know about hero's welcome but really nice - when someone asks where Im from I tell them, they say 'cool', then 2 minutes later, hey where did you say you were from again, how long did it take you to get here,,, followed by WHOA, or MAN!! People always stare at the licence plate too

I'll definetly have to check out the Washington breaks though. But probably when I have more than a long weekend just in case its not consistant as someone pointed out.

So are Westport/Oceanshores/Newhaven the place to be or do I hear some sarcsm here on Newhaven??

I'd match Washington's consistency with just about anywhere in the world. If you lower your standards, you'll almost always find something to ride somewhere on the WA coast. The main problem is the winds in summer. In the fall & winter, the winds are more likely to be favorable (and the waves bigger).

Need proof? Check out the NOAA buoy web sites. Most of the buoys have historical data; compare things like 'significant wave height' or 'swell size' and 'wave period' of long time frames. Very interesting.

Sarcasm? In alt.surfing?

Newhaven is part of the name of something which I haven't seen for years in Westport. I think it had something to do the the fishing boats or the Sani-can biz. Perhaps someone can jog my memory.....

If you need a place to hide from the really big stuff that hits the coast in winter, the cove east of the main break at Westport is somewhat protected; I guess that's why it's called a 'harbor'.

Ops my mistake its Westhaven not Newhaven and Agent new this. So its Westport that you drive threw to get to Westhaven and Westhaven is where the marina is? Or we can stop all this sillyness and call it Westport like everyone else.

Name is above the +/- Zoom's