Surf: There’s a good righthand reef peak on the south side of the cape that works when the sandbars are right on a big clean W or WNW swell. There’s a clean beachbreak on the inside that’s sheltered from N and NW winds. Cruiser walls for the mal brigade when smaller. Environment: The main Pacific City beachbreak gets more crowded each year. It’s a State Park and parking is limited, typically filling by 10am on spring weekends and earlier in peak summer season. The surf contest held here each August is known for being a real gathering of the Northwest tribe and a fun event. Celebrity guest stars of recent years have included John Peck and Gerry Lopez. Possible shark danger, and watch out for renegade jetskis and dory boats, which are both permitted to launch from the beach. Hard to tell how Pacific City got its name, since Bob Ledbetter’s South County Surf shop is just about the biggest operation in town, and it’s in his home (okay, there are some restaurants and a post office!). Surf: General: Surfing in Oregon is all about finding spots that offer some protection from the elements and break up the large NW groundswells of winter — and Cape Kiwanda and Pacific City are two spots that do exactly that. Working on big, clean W and W-NW swells during the autumn and winter months, the beachbreak on the inside offers some shelter from the N and NW winds that blow regularly along this part of the Oregon coast. There’s also an exposed reefbreak that has potential when the winds are either calm or blowing out of the E. Boats are allowed to launch from the beach here, so things can get a little chaotic when the weather’s nice and conditions are calm. This area also has its fair share of sharks, so keep your head on a swivel. Tides: Breaks through most tides when there’s swell. Size: Waist-high to several feet overhead. Wind: E Swell: W, W-NW Bottom: There’s a user-friendly beachbreak on the inside that enjoys some shelter from the NW winds with a reef setup further outside. Paddling: Paddling in a 5-mil wetsuit is never easy, especially at a pumping beachbreak where you have to duck-dive over and over again. Spot Rating: Playful when it’s small, challenging when it’s big. Dealing with the elements is as much of a challenge as getting Cape Kiwanda good. Access: Park in the state park, where there are limited spaces so expect it to fill up, especially on weekends with nice weather. Crowds: Crowd Factor: It’s gotten increasingly more crowded as the surfer population in Oregon grows, but it’s not crazy yet. Find a corner, be cool and enjoy. Local Vibe: It’s a small community and all the locals know each other. Environment: Generally pretty clean in this part of the world, but exercise caution when paddling out after periods of heavy rain. Hazards: Cold water, strong currents, big sharks. Season: There’s no shortage of swell in these waters during the winter months. The trick is being there when it’s clean enough to surf.