Surf Forecast  Seaside

Seaside surfspot characteristics

More about Seaside surfspot

General: Beyond Cannon Beach, stands of Sitka spruce and western hemlock -- regrown after the state's worst fire of the century in August 1933, which scorched 12 million board feet of virgin timber -- prelude the climax to Oregon's coast: another 18 miles of beachbreak up to Clatsop Spit, a mile-wide peninsula of flurried sand and European beach grass fronting the mighty Columbia River.</br></br>But first, we can't forget about famous Seaside Point, the best wave in the Pacific Northwest and the best left-hand pointbreak in North America. The city of Seaside was Oregon's first coastal resort, and it prevails today as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Quite heavily developed, the city is a local's nightmare come summertime, when out-of-towners descend on the town like a squadron of locusts.</br></br>When wintertime comes along, however, the locals employ plenty of methods to get rid of the bugs. The rumors are true: Seaside is probably the most localized break on the West Coast, which means you probably shouldn't consider paddling out unless you receive an open invitation. The rumors are also true that it's a mind-bending barrel and flawless left wall with little or no room for backtracking. Not much has been written about the break (for obvious reasons), but the <I>Surfer's Journal</I> did publish a rare insider's perspective a couple of years ago: "My years of surfing Seaside Point will always remain a transcendental part of my life," said local Dave Kopra. "I've experienced such pure joy there, that I bliss-out flashing back on those perfect days of flawless uncrowded waves. Now on those rare occasions when I push off the rocks to paddle out, I spontaneously start to giggle and my cheek muscles cramp from over-smiling."</br></br>Seaside will do that to you when it's good, which is fairly often if there's a decent swell and favorable winds. Since the point is located along Tillamook Head, south winds are blocked, thus creating incredible midwinter sessions with big, glassy, spitting grinders along the boulders. The main wave ridden is known as the "First Point," while there's a "Second Point" farther out, which isn't as long but a little juicier than the first point, if that's fathomable. The first point basically hurls out in front of the boulders and wraps around like a coldwater Indonesia. Thrusting down the thick face, you can either take the screaming high line and reach Mach 2 as you carve straight down and straight up, or lurk along the bottom and wait for the wave to swallow you whole (and you'll usually come out if you known what you're doing).</br></br>If you're used to Southern California mushburgers, you probably won't do too well out here. Strictly for advanced surfers when it's really on, the point will humble all but the best surfer, and one can only wonder what a guy like Mark Occhilupo would do here. Watch the locals, and you'll see what years of wiring a world-class wave will do for your surfing. If anything, it could be compared to a reversed version of Santa Barbara County's El Capitan, though not as fickle and much heavier.</br></br>For those who would rather not confront the realities of frequent shark sightings, extreme crowd-control methods and a treacherous entry and exit, there's always the inner cove, which can get equally epic but is not at all on the same plane as the point itself. At low tide, the rights come alive and suck along the sandbar into a rip current/channel, while the lefts generally close out. At high tide, expect mushy, sectiony walls with lots of longboarders on them. On a much weaker and sandier note, Seasiders usually choose the Columbia River South Jetty for a summertime, small-wave spot. It's your standard jetty beachbreak and doesn't hold a candle to Seaside Point, so we won't elaborate. Tides: Both spots at Seaside can be good on all tides Size: Head high-overhead Wind: E, NE Swell: W, SW Bottom: Slimy boulders at the point, rock. Paddling: Moderate. Spot Rating: Really good.

Beginner-Advanced

For Seaside Point and Cove, exit Highway 101 onto Avenue U (the first stoplight at the south end of town). Head down Avenue U until the first left, which is Edgewood. Bear left on Edgewood and go straight until you can see the point. Park in one of the spaces on the right side of the road, overlooking the cove with the reeling point waves in the distance.

September-February

Crowd Factor: No vacancy. With an increasing number of Portland commuters and the swelling surfing population in Seaside, the point can have as many as 30-plus surfers out on the good days. Local Vibe: The stuff of legends. Locals have been known to defecate on cars, slash tires, smash windshields, flip cars, yell, fight, kick, bite and pull hair.

Clean.

They outweigh the benefits, unfortunately.