Looking for good surf spots... (Coos Bay, Newport: shops, bus, beach)

[surfplay]

Just moved out here from California. Any surfers out there who can lead me to nice surf spots... preferably sans sharks? And any tips on surfing out here would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Waterlily]

I know the surfers here wear wetsuits. We do have some people who surf out of the ocean by Coos Bay. I haven't heard anything about sharks here.

[tiffela74]

I know there was an article about us (coos bay) having one of the best surfing spots on the west coast.......i cant remember exactly where though...I know it was in some popular surf magazine (within the last year) and it also featured the local surf shop - for those of you who know, the store used to be in that old bus right by the turn off for Basendorf. Anyone remember so we can help Surfplay out??
Oh and btw, Surfplay, are you asking for the Southern coast, or Northern?

[PDXsailor]

You know us locals are not supposed to give away our surf spots

The two best breaks on the North coast are Short sands and Pacific City (my favorite). If you are REALLY good, then try the point break in Seaside (big localism there, so watch your car).

You will need a 4/3 wetsuit with booties year round. Hood optional.

http://www.oregonsurf.com/

[tiffela74]

sorry, ive looked all over and I cant find the article from the surfing mag. but, I did see several mentions of Basendorf beach being a great place to surf, sans sharks. for all levels, all tides except low. So if you pop that into your search engine, you should be in for some good infor.
Verrrry popular here along the southern coast is also the Windsurfing. I know Ive seen them out several times as well, looks quite fun! but not for me! lol anyhow, I know someone that does that, and again, Basendorf is a place they go, also up by Lincoln City/Newport is popular, Idont know the name of the park, but if youre leaving Newport, directly after you get out of town, the first park on the right (duh, by the beach lol) we went there awhile back and it was PACKED with both surfers and windsurfers.
Personally though, Id ask around at the local surfshops.
Best of luck to you, and beware of things under the water that eat you! Ya, like JAWS. gulp!
Tiff
ps - just btw, sharks are pretty rare here in Oregon. I think its a tad too cold for them.

[PDXsailor]

Oh yeah, sharks. Very rare, but it does happen. You will usually find sharks (great whites) around areas where a river enters the ocean or rocks. So, watch out around rivers and jetties. If they attack, punch them in the nose over and over, but you probably already knew that. Also heard to not pee in your wetsuit, but not sure if that has any fact to it

[seashelly]

Along Cape Arago Road along the South Coast, park near the Cape Arago Lighthouse Road (just South of Bastendorf Beach) and walk-in. Also, along the jetty in Florence, parking at the end of the road in the Park.

I always figure the sharks hang out around the sea lions (yum, dinner). Coos Bay has had some shark sightings.

[freedom]

Nice try surfplay, its a freeway out there already.
Your gonna have to seek, before you find. Be humble and you'll do fine. No attitudes the great whites know the homies.

[surfplay]

Thanks! I'm in Coos Bay so I'll try Bastendorf and along Cape Arago. If I head up north I'll check out Short sands and Pacific city.
I'll work on my punching techniques just in case!

[PDXsailor]

Coos Bay, heard of lots of shark encounters there, but no attacks. Be careful and hook up with locals for all of the local knowledge. They should share as you are now a local.