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Enjoy Kitesurfing Oregon's Coast -
Discover Waves and Endless Beaches
Kitesurfing Oregon's coast is for hardcore kiters. The constant shore break and ocean current in some places make for some challeging conditions for newbies. It's not to say that you can't learn here but it isn't the easiest place. The waves are fun and more harmless than they look because they have come from such a long distance that they generally just turn to mush rather than pitching violently over un-suspecting kiteboarders.
Besides the continuous waves, many people find kitesurfing Oregon Coast super fun because it is an amazing place to do 1-3 hour downwinders. Here there is so much endless shoreline that it's easy to find places to launch and land. Highway 101 follows the coast closely so there are ample spots to arrange a pick-up.
A few of the best spots for kitesurfing Oregon's North Coast (North to South) are Fort Stevens, Manzanita, and Seaside. I recently kiteboarded in Manzanita - a very funky little town. Nehalem Bay campsite is a really nice Oregon State Park about a mile down the beach from the town itself. On good windy days you are lucky enough to walk right out from the campsite to the beach and kite there. This is a nice state park and books up so plan in advance if possible. If not, line up in the morning to get on the wait list for the days cancellations.
Fort Stevens hosts another Oregon State Park which isn't quite as nice as Nehalem Bay but it is a great launch spot for a couple of different downwinders. Launch right in the campground (parking lots B or C) and kite down to the parking lot at the shipwreck (Irondale) a 1-2 hour ride. Or keep going further all the way to Sunset Lane. This downwinder is about 2-3 hours.
Seaside often brings, later day, lighter winds. Here the waves are a bit nicer than at Manzanita and it's also possible to park right at the beach. The wind here tends to be a bit better directionally, they are more side-onshore. Manzanita wind is slightly more onshore.
In Oregon kitesurfing is usually on in the North or the South. If the North part of the state isn't on head a little further south to Florence or Lincoln City. Florence has side-onshore wind and waves. Lincoln City has a huge beach and you can also park right beside it and launch easily.
Because it's right on the ocean expect lighter winds than in areas where the hotter air has had a chance to funnel inland. You'll want to bring your larger kites when on the Coast. When the Coast is cloudy you are probably only a couple hours from crankin' wind in the
Gorge
so bring all of your kites and you'll be sure to find wind somewhere.
The Pacific ocean in this part of the world is cold. A minimum of a 4/3 wetsuit is recommended in the warmest months. Many people wear booties.
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