Surf: Nelscott is two separate breaks, but it's the reef far outside that arches into a perfect A-frame on 15ft-plus swells that has gained notoriety as the most rippable wave on the Big Wave World Tour. More often towed than paddled, this peak offers beautiful, carving walls and shoulders between terrifying, short, high tube sections with a propensity to pinch. Needs light E winds so it's obviously not very consistent. Length of ride is good as it starts 1/4 mile out to sea and rolls through fields of kelp towards the beachbreak section, a popular sand-covered reef that's often exposed in spring. Locals say it gets good about every other year for some reason and when it is, expect some heavy beachbreak style barrels. A 100-yard walk north is Shark Fin Rock (it’s the shape), which has been known to serve up a sandbar right. South of Lincoln City, the top spots are the quality beachbreak at Gleneden (recent shark attack) and the challenging rock-reef right at Boiler Bay, just north of Depoe Bay. For advanced surfers only, Boiler will work on a 20ft swell if the wind is strong S and the swell SW to W. Best at about 10ft, depending on wind. Super hollow at low to minus tide. Environment: Nelscott reef is sharky with large whites regularly spotted by the tow crews. Hell-men only.