Salem-News.com Surfing articles Page 6

Wagging it at the Waterfront…Huntington Beach

Wouldn’t it be loverly to learn how to surf with your dog in Surf City USA?

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.) - With an 8.5-mile stretch of pristine shoreline, popularly known as “Surf City USA” (celebrating its 100th year in 2009), Huntington Beach is home to a world famous municipal pier and is a west coast surf mecca for more than 8 million annual visitors.

Huntington Beach is a mere 30-minute drive from the Orange county cities of Costa Mesa, Irvine, Santa Ana and Tustin.

Busy Weekend for Coast Guard in Pacific NW

One incident involved an overturned vessel near Coos Bay; the other rescue saw two surfers rescued near Grays Harbor.

(SEATTLE, Wash.) - It was a busy weekend for Coast Guard rescue crews over the weekend in both Oregon and Washington. The story serves as a good reminder of how treacherous NW waters can become, and how frequently the Coast Guard is able to complete lifesaving rescues.

The Coast Guard reports rescuing a 73-year old man near Coos Bay, Oregoln, Sunday. A Coast Guard watchstander at the Coos Bay lookout tower spotted a vessel overturned and a man in the water around 2:15 p.m.

Nelscott Reef Surf Contest in Lincoln City Sees Seasonal Setback

Contest organizer says too much wind for first big swell of the season.

(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.

“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.

14-Year Old Surfer Struck by Dory Fishing Boat Loses Arm at Pacific City Beach

The victim, Cole Ortega of Bend, had been surfing with his 16-year old sister and her boyfriend. Other members of Ortega's family were on scene.

(PACIFIC CITY, Ore.) - One of the worst things any surfer who goes to Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City can imagine, happened today. Just before 10:00 AM, a 14-year old boy surfing in large waves at PC was run down by a double ended dory fishing boat, police say. The boy survived, but his left arm was amputated in the collision.

15-Year Old Prodigy Jessie Richman Wins Nelscott Kiteboard Rodeo (SLIDESHOW)

A fairly new sport, kiteboarding becomes a main attraction on the Oregon Coast.

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - The Nelscott Kiteboard Rodeo concluded Sunday with a 'no go' in the freestyle competition scheduled for the Siletz Bay due to the lack of adequate wind. Saturday's scheduled waveriding competition turned into a beach party-barbecue waiting for the 12-15 mph threshold to be reached which it never did.

Friday however was another story as the contest director Steve Gunn finally called the 'Downwinder' a go at about 4:00 PM.

`Not In My Back Yard` is Stayton`s Reaction to Skate Park Idea

Stayton residents voice concerns over youth and skaters but a city board says they will explore other areas.

(STAYTON, Ore.) - A public meeting was held at 6:30 PM in Stayton at the community center Wednesday night April 16th concerning the need for a skate park and a location for it.

The 5 member Parks and Recreation panel along with City Public Works Director, Mike Faught, and Lt. Rich Sebens of the Stayton Police Department were in attendance as well as 28 members of the community, including 6 teenage skateboarders.

Oregon Big Wave Surfing Contest Period Extended

The call up window for the 2007 Nelscott Reef Tow in Classic in Lincoln City has been extended through March.

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - It is hard to predict exactly when 30 foot plus waves will descend on the Oregon coast under ideal conditions each winter, but it does happen, and one Lincoln City who will watch it closely is surf contest promoter John Forse.

Professional surfers the world over are standing by for the announcement that will send them scrambling for Lincoln City on the Oregon coast, and some of the largest and most ferocious waves that exist on the planet.

FEMA and State Officials Look at Oregon Flood Disaster Areas (VIDEO)

FEMA will decide if the damages are beyond the capabilities and resources of state and local governments.

(SALEM, Ore.) - At the request of Governor Ted Kulongoski, federal and state officials are conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments on homes, businesses and public facilities hard hit during this week’s storm and flooding.

According to Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) Director Ken Murphy, PDA teams consisting of representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and OEM will visit and inspect damaged areas, document damages and talk with local officials.