Scoop on Waldport

scottnorby · Tue Aug 07, 07 7:57 am **Scoop on Waldport**

Thinking about taking my wife and a beginner down to Waldport because it looks like a good flat section for him to learn on.
Is the Alsea bay actually shallow?
Specific tides? Wind angle?

Would appreciate it someone could give me the lowdown so I can watch the weather and plan.
Thanks.

PS...looks like the sunset strip is gonna blow starting tomorrow. play hooky.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

We scoped it out on the trip last week... I think it would be very good on a West or SW day... but on a NW day it looked like it'd be real gusty with all the wind coming over the burm/houses.

Don't have any water experience there though so I really can't say. The Richman kids were there for awhile this summer and I guess the latest kiteboarding mag has Shawn's picture with him jumping in front of the bridge.

Maybe they can chime in here... Then again those kids could probably fly in a hurricane and make it look good. Very Happy

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I can't be certain as I've never actually ridden there (just checked it out on a no wind day), but I'm pretty sure it's not shallow. Looked to me at least from there northern tip, that it drops off really fast. I couldn't touch after going out 2-3ft.

Do you really want to have her learn there? Not a biggie, but I'd think Siletz would be a lot better, if you're looking for flat water.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

i've ridden there once on a NW. PKH's description on it sounds right. i rode in the ocean, the bay itself looked like it was going to be silly gusty.

on a NW the Slietz is close and looks more beginner friendly. there was some posting a ways back about how to access the flat water there.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 536 Posts Oregon Addicted

I rode the bay on a SW day and it was great. it is shallow except for the far western portion of it. at low tide there is alot of sand exposed and may not be kiteable.

i stayed in a house on the ocean side of the spit and there is a lot of water moving when the tide is going out. i wouldnt think its a good spot for a beginner unless you get the tide coming in.

i didnt kite in the ocean there and didnt kite on a NW so cant comment on that.

what about Newport up close to the jetty. the waves are super small up there most of the summer.

Ryan

scottnorby · Tue Aug 07, 07 11:33 am

Thanks for the heads up.
I already have a SW and West spot that is waist deep and warm on the river in Astoria.
Just looking for a NW spot.
Siletz is a great idea... forgot about that spot.

Thanks

JUMPIN JIMI · Since 11 Nov 2006 123 Posts Stoked

SILETZ BAY HAS A SMALL AREA TO RIDE, SO YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO HOLD YOUR GROUND,PEOPLE HAVE LOST BOARDS OUT THE MOUTH BEFORE,TRUST ME I LIVE ON THE BAY AND HAVE KITED IT FOR 6YRS. FUN SPOT. Very Happy

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

Jumpin Jimi's right - watch those outgoing tides. I've seen windsurfers sucked out Alsea Bay triggering a Coast Guard helicopter search. The Kiteboarding article was full of misinformation - including a photo of Newport south jetty surf calling it "a mellow Waldport wave, etc." Just a bunch of total BS! SW wind during winter is the ideal direction (with an outgoing tide) but usually accompanied by rain, rain, and more rain. Bottom line: many other better spots on an N/NW wind.

scottnorby · Wed Aug 08, 07 1:47 pm

All this talk makes me realize how much I love sunset strip and the north coast.

I used to live down in Newport for 8 years.
Gustier, colder, and no drivable beach till Whiskey.

....not much reason to leave the Nor Coast with Sunset Strip, Manzanita, warmwaters bay, the ponds, Halfmoon beach island, Sand Island, Mcready's riverbeach, the Seaside rivermouth and Jones beach all within 20 miles.
And zero crowds. Troll hasn't even been spotted at four of those spots yet....ha.

Hasn't been too steady this season...but when it's on there is no better place to be.
Stoked.

bcampagna · Since 28 Jul 2006 59 Posts Portland

hey Siletz bay has an advisory as of to day in the oregonian not to be in the water cause of polution, check it before u go out.

Brian @ Gorge Performance

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

We kite at Sauvies now and then, so I'm sure we're fine! j/k Laughing

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

sucko

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

MOcean
That's our line
NEWPORT
IS
SOOO much better
apparently the smak does travel up hill (north)

Yer buddy Mike was out here yesterday
said it has been 4 yrs. since he kited anywhere
else (must be pretty bad)
maybe next time he busts a move you'll come with
and we are due for some Newport love
so look for us

scottnorby · Thu Aug 09, 07 9:40 am

Mo Ocean
Do you ever kite Gleneden beach?
I used to live on that stretch. Really good waves.
Also some really good reefs way offshore of little whale cove that we used to surf.
Scotts reef at Boiler?

I always wonder if you guys are hitting those up?

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

doesn't gleneden separate siletz and the ocean? or is that not gleneden?

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

The wind doesn't blow at Gleneden - or rarely does. It'd be fun if it did.

BH: So that's where Mike was yesterday - I had to go solo! I promise I'll make it down there, perhaps when the longer lines of September start coming in. I've been working on the escape moves on my SRT just for those days.