Rockaway Beach

bdc8622 · Since 31 May 2005 75 Posts PDX

Anyone kited at Rockaway beach? Don't feel like driving to Manzo today. Any reasons not to? Any comment appreciated. Wind seems steady, slightly lighter, waves OK.

floydo · Since 07 Jun 2014 12 Posts Gorge and Points South

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

We stay orth at Manhatten Beach, looks good but never done it

HRnico · Since 22 Mar 2008 262 Posts Da Hood Obsessed

Kited there on Labor Day a couple years back. No problems, less then
one block to the house

bdc8622 · Since 31 May 2005 75 Posts PDX

Thanks for info.... Got a quick downwinder at Rockaway and then drove to Manzo anyway. Cheers.

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

windsurfed it a few years ago. Seems a little lighter without the venturi effect of Neahakanie. Manzanita was good today with smallish 5' waves and steady 9m Nw wind

floydo · Since 07 Jun 2014 12 Posts Gorge and Points South

Did the downwinder there on Monday with 9M & surfboard. Fun smallish waves...The run from Nehalem bay to the Tillimook jetty is 7miles, and to the Rockaway town center (with a shower) is about 4....
Manzi is sometimes a bit windier, but the wide open, steady winds, and maybe longer waves at Rockaway is pretty fun. That said, I have not done both back to back for a comparison...

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

[quote="floydo"]
Manzi is sometimes a bit windier quote]

MANZO is always winder than Rockaway and usually more than just a bit. Manzo Andre aka foghater on this form and a local resident of MANZO told me that if clouds are lining up on top of the mountains at Rockaway (and or fog creeping up from the South/Rockaway), that this is a bad sign for consistent/sailable winds for a DW'er from Manzo to Rockaway.

I will say to the folk that are wanting to try this is to cross the bar quickly and don't f@ck around the mouth of the Nelhalem; especially on an ebb tide (tide going out).

Good winds to all!

floydo · Since 07 Jun 2014 12 Posts Gorge and Points South

I have ridden from the south breakwater of Nehalem south to Rockaway, and the wind over that stretch has been pretty consistent. Good comment on passing the Neh bar (or any bar) on an ebb...A Manzi to Rockaway downwinder would be a trip, but it would be No Fun to run out of wind on the way....

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

I have a friend that does Rockaway to Barview downwinders, he says it can blow to sunset sometimes, he's done this after a Manzanita session a few times just because he was down there and went for it.

The Manzanita to Rockaway or a Barview downwinder is a harder call, as the wind isn't guaranteed to be solid all the way down. Foghater used to do this downwinder often, ran into dead wind before or after the Nehalem Jetty a few times, now says it's not worth the risk of crossing the Jetty mouth unless the wind is solid south of the Jetty.

The Manzanita to Nehalem State Park downwinder is a great way to end a session, just a bit over a mile long, a great way to end up back at your camp ground, this is the most common downwinder I see being done here in town.

And reverse everything for south winds and end up in Manzanita. South winds are less reliable, so I'd only recommend doing the State Park to Manzanita leg, plus the ocean is usually stormy, I usually stay close to shore. Going out too far can mean losing a board for good, my same friend now uses a leash to avoid losing his board in south winds. Something about the swell pattern and wind can work against you getting back to your board in south winds.

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

I park North of Laneda and downwinder to the boat ramp parking at Nehalem State park. The park is narrow there so it's easy to cross and I think it is about 2 miles, definitely more than 1.5. If you do more than one run, it might seem a pain to rerig but often the wind has ramped up and I'd rig down anyways. It's a flat enough ride to make a bike a good shuttle option if you want to downwinder by yourself.