Nelscott Reef

Nelscott Reef is an ocean reef near Lincoln City, Oregon, United States, that creates a reef break (a surf-break created by the presence of a rock or coral reef) that is known as the only place on the Oregon Coast with the right conditions for big wave surfing. It is named for the former community of Nelscott, which is now a part of Lincoln City. After watching the perfect big wave a half mile offshore since ’89 and knowing there was no way of paddling a conventional big wave gun through the huge beachbreak to get to it, in 1995 Nelscott Reef pioneer John Forse took an underpowered zodiac out in the 17 feet at 20 second swell and after several tries was able to penetrate the Siletz rivermouth and got outside. Feeling insignificant and vulnerable floating around in the huge open ocean swells he was able to work his way to the channel on the north side of the reef, unpack his gun and paddle to where he thought the take off zone was. With no bearings or landmarks with which to triangulate the wide ranging take off zone he was lucky enough to be in the spot and paddle for his life for the set wave headed his way. The speed of the wave combined with the wind keeping him on the peak prevented him from getting down the face and felt like the “Jay Moriarty stuck in the lip at Mavericks” famous wipeout and got blown out the back only to find the wave’s “big brother” bearing down on him. Scrambling for his life he was able to claw up and over the north shoulder and get out of the impact zone. After that “up close and personal” experience John realized that this was a different kind of wave, and was Great for towsurfing and SUP Surfing.

After failing to get any locals to join him on the reef, in 2003 John Forse recruited Santa Cruz Tow Maestros Peter Mel and Adam Replogle to come up and help him “crack the reef” in all it’s glory. With faces in the 25 feet to 35 feet range John was finally able to realize his dream and get his wave and Adam and Peter rode the best high performance big wave in the world like it was 4′ Malibu and the seed was planted for the inaugural “Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic” which was held December 11, 2005.

The reef is the home of the Nelscott Reef Tow Big Wave Classic. The event brings in big name surfers, such as Peter Mel and Adam Replogle.[1][2] Before 2003 no one had been able to paddle out in this region due to the shallow water and undertow.

The 2010 Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic was held on November 2, 2010, as part of the male-dominated Big Wave World Tour. An exhibition featuring three world champion women—Keala Kennelly, Savannah Shaughnessy, and Mercedes Maidana—delayed their event one day due to wave faces of 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m) causing havoc for the men's event.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Garrett & Kealii win 2006 Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic...". Surfers Village. October 12, 2006. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  2. ↑ "Competitor line up announced for Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic". Oregon Sports Authority. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  3. ↑ Oakley Brooks (November 5, 2010). "Charging Ahead in First Big Wave Contest for Women". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-11-18.

External links

Coordinates: 44°57′00″N 124°01′41″W / 44.949917°N 124.027963°W / 44.949917; -124.027963


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