Nelscott Reef Surf Contest in Lincoln City Sees Seasonal Setback

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - The only big wave surfing contest in the world that breaks within view of a residential neighborhood, The Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic, will take place a little later this year.

Contest organizer Behemoth, LLC changed the contest status back to red last Friday after a week of monitoring the first big swell of the season. A large swell was forecast for Saturday, but unfortunately, the wind did not want to cooperate.

Although the holding period for the 2008 Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic began on October 1st, good swell and wind combinations usually start in November, says contest founder John Forse.

"Saturday’s forecast called for a 15-foot swell at 16 seconds, similar to previous years contest conditions. The wind was forecast at 10-15 MPH out of the North, which is just too much wind to hold the event. It ended up being the right call, as Saturday’s swell came with the associated wind out of the North, making for solid surf for a short while in the morning. The wind picked up as forecast, and blew out the conditions quickly."

“We are looking for a solid swell with offshore winds for the event. This was just too much wind, from the wrong direction, to call the event”, Forse said.

“We have lots of time left in the holding period, so I am sure we will have a better opportunity coming up,” Force says some pros, anticipating the swell, however, were not disappointed in making their trip up to Oregon.

"Although it wasn’t a contest day, they towed a central coast slab near Nelscott, that had been originally paddled by John Forse and Brian Wichener in the 90's, and left untouched until the recent towsurfing explosion. Heavy sub-sea level pits were had by Greg Long, Mike Parsons, Mark Healy, and Garrett McNamara, as well as a lot of sick wipeouts. One excruciating fall in particular sent Hellman Garrett to the emergency room to get patched up after his encounter with the reef."

Forse says Behemoth has solidified the field of competitors for this years event. The following teams are confirmed and looking forward to coming to Lincoln City Oregon for the fourth annual event. The following is list of competitors:

2008 Confirmed Tow In Contest List:
Zach Wormhoudt (N.Cal) Jake Wormhoudt (N.Cal)
Shane Desmond (N.Cal) Tyler Fox (N.Cal)
Garrett McNamara (HAW) Kealii Mamala (HAW)
Brad Gerlach (S.Cal) Mike Parsons (S.Cal)
Adam Replogle (N.Cal) Alistair Craft (N.Cal)
Yuri Soledade (Brazil) Everaldo Pato Texeira (Brazil)
Greg Long (S.Cal) Rusty Long (S.Cal)
Raph Bruhwiler (CAN) Keith Malloy (S.Cal)
Jeremy Rasmussen (Oregon) Tom Miller (Oregon)
Dave Mcgill (Oregon) Matt Esnard (Oregon)
Russel Smith (N.Cal) Tyler Smith (N.Cal)
Alec Cooke (Ace Cool) (HAW) Ron Barron (HAW)
Al Mennie (Ireland) Andrew Cotton (Ireland)
Jeff Kafka (N.Cal) Shaun Rhodes (N.Cal)
Jeff Schmucker (AUS) Jughead (AUS)
Tim West (N.Cal) Ion Banner (N.Cal) 2008 Paddle In Contest List:
Greg Long (S.Cal)
Steve Harnack (Oregon)
Mike Parsons (S.Cal)
Al Mennie (Ireland)
Andre Phillip (Oregon)
Evan Slater (S.Cal)
Shane Desmond (N.Cal)
Kealii Mamala (HAW)
Gary Linden (S.Cal)
Zach Wormhoudt (N.Cal)
Nelscott Reef 2008 Status Change

Founded by Lincoln City resident and Nelscott Pioneer, John Forse, the Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic has always been a grass roots organization. Without the support of the local community and our sponsors, the event would have folded after the first year.

The Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic is now the longest consistently running tow in contest in the world. Local sponsors, like the Chinook Winds Casino, have been a major supporter of the event from its conception, and we are proud to have their continued support.

Other local sponsors that have, and continue to play a vital role in the event include the Nelscott Reef Surf Shop, Westshore Motel, Oregon Sports Authority, Russo Surfboards, Tanger Outlets, Station 3 Embroidery, and the Anchor Inn. New Oregon sponsors this year are Blowsion, DaKine, and Bob Lamphere’s Beaverton Honda. Out of State support comes from K38 Rescue, Fringe Clothing, and Banquet.

The three-month holding period began October 1st and continues through December 31, 2008. A 48-hour notice will be given when the event is called. Nelscottreef.com has all the latest information on event status. The Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic is the only tow in contest on the North American continent and Oregon’s only professional surf event.

Behemoth was started in 2005 for the purpose of promoting surf events at Nelscott Reef and other surf locations around the world. Founding member, John Forse, was the pioneer at Nelscott Reef and made his first attempt to ride the reef in 1995. Forse, along with Jim Kusz, safety coordinator for North Lincoln Fire and Rescue and veteran water rescue team leader, and Adam Wagner of Action Sports Northwest, operate Behemoth LLC out of Lincoln City, OZregon. Behemoth LLC organized and promoted the first annual Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic, bringing the sport of surfing to the professional level in Oregon for the first time.