Thread: Surfing in the NW?

So, I got addicted to surfing while living in SoCal last year and now I'm up living in Portland, OR. I've been thinking about giving the cold waters a try and just going to Short Sands, cause the crowds there cannot be any worse then Trestles, and I dealt with that just fine. I have a few questions if anyone knows the answer.

-I need a warmer wetsuit: What mm wetsuit will work up here? I have a raggity 4/3 that may leak a little bit? Do I need something warmer. What about booties, hoods and gloves?

If anyone on this board lives in or around PDX and surfs I don't know anyone who does. I'm need to find someone to go with, cause I don't like surfing alone, especially in these sharky waters. I tried the oregonsurf chat board, but all those dudes seem so goddam secretive about the whole thing. I'd probably go surfing once a month at the most, I don't think I'm gonna be crowding any epic spots.

in the summer a 4/3 is more than you need, I doono in the winter thought..

Your going to freeze your ass off.

Originally Posted by dubu

in the summer a 4/3 is more than you need, I doono in the winter thought..

I'm cold surfing summer here in a 4/3. I usually wear booties & gloves too because the hands & feet lose feeling. Winter I'd go warmer. I'm in PDX, and surf occaisonally (usually Short Sands, other mellow stuff)

Don't know anything about the PacNW for surfing, other than it's COLD. You'll need at least a 4/3, and you'll defintely want to invest in gloves, boots, and a hood.

Also, if you still have Cali plates on your car beware. I've heard that the locals in Oregon don't react too well to Californians.

For summer a 4/3 is fine, but for anything else, I use a 5/4/3. I surf Vancouver Island all winter and my 5/4/3 with hood, 5mm booties and 3mm gloves work fine. As for getting spot info, the colder the water gets, the more brutal the locals can become. The biggest dicks I've ever encountered while surfing have been in Oregon, Washington and BC.

I'm on a 4/3 pretty much year round, just depends on your cold tolerance.

Short Sands gets crowded, but it's a really mellow scene, no real localism to speak of. Lot's of chicas in the water as well. Not a great break, but sometimes the south end gets pretty good.

Pacific City is similar, lot's of people but no real attitude. Nice reef break on the North end, south of that is beachbreak for miles.

Plenty of other spots, just get in a car and explore. Make sure you have Oregon license plates and the locals will mostly leave you alone, a couple of spots excepted. Git sum!

Originally Posted by Plakespear

Also, if you still have Cali plates on your car beware. I've heard that the locals in Oregon don't react too well to Californians.

I still got Wisconsin plates on my truck. Do you think that will just confuse them?

So if any of you norwesters want to carpool sometime let me know.

be prepared to freeze.

I wore 2 wetsuits in 47 degree water in the middle of august' 05
a spring 3.2 underneath a full 3.3
hands get numb after 30 minutes. Bring booties for sure
sun was out some of the time with temps in the 60's (air)
the locals said it was exceptionally cold for this time of year. Alaskan currents had dove down. Also, watch out for the 'Landloard" cannon has had some attacks, along with Seaside.

Another good longboard break is in Pacific City where the dorries launch
it is called chambers and is a sweet point break

Enjoy OR

I'll stick to So Cal from now on.

Kevin

I´m in a 4/3 with booties 80% of the time in WA, and my surf season is generally from april-december. I hate gloves and hoods, so if I can barely tolerate the cold I go without.
I expect to be surfing a fair amount in WA in Nov, so if you wanna make the drive...

I'm comfortable surfing right now in WA with my 4/3, gloves, booties, and an insulated hooded rashguard.

Seaside point is notorious for localism, but if you can surf, and are respectful, its no problem.

Thinking of heading out to the coast on Sunday. Leaving from Seattle. Anyone interested?

If you can swing the $$$ get a Patagonia R4. A little less neoprene without losing any warmth. Great flexibility. I surf Central and NorCal in an R3 in winter and it's perfect.

THE THING ABOUT SHORT SANDS IS THE SUMMER BREEZE IS SIDE OFFSHORE THERE

THAT CAUSES UPWELLING: COLD WATER GETS DRAWN OFF THE BOTTOM AND UP TOT HE SURFACE SO SUMMER WATER TEMPS CAN BE AS COLD OR COLDER THAN WINTER

HOPEFULLY YOUVE GOT SOME TIME IN THE WATER TO IMPROVE AND GET OUT TO BETTER SPOTS, CAUSE THERE SURE AS HECK THERE AND CLOSER TO YOU IN PDX THAN SHORT SANDS IS


IM NOT GONNA NAME EM, NOT CAUSE IM WORRIED ABOUT TICKING OFF SOME WANNA BE TOUGH GUYS, JUST FOR KARMAS SAKE

5/4/3, and try pacific city or otter rock as well.

Hey Schleprocks, I think Bossass is all set on info unless he has been gathering if for a half decade. Altasnob is looking for a partner here. Any of you Jongbronis up for it?

Washington has some surf on the coast, but need to be a die-hard as its cold and non consistent waves. Had some good days though for sure.

A front-zip hooded wetsuit would be a must. Booties and possibly 3mm gloves

see because it's cold water and all

Your not going to freeze. Get a new wetsuit, a hooded 5/4/3 or 6/5/4 if your skinny and get cold easily. Its always easier to cool down than to warm up.