The Evolution of Nelscott

HISTORY OF NELSCOTT REEF

Surfer: Jamie Mitchell / Photo: Richard Hallman

Nelscott Reef, originally named ‘Tackle Buster Reef’ from the local fishermen, was first explored by Humbolt resident Craig Spjut and a friend in 2000 as they drove a PWC thru Siletz river mouth, then thru the beach break and out to the reef.

On this first day, the reef was barely breaking so they ended up towing the inside beach break. In 2001, Craig came back up with Kirk Johnson and they successfully towed the reef for the first time. It was then that they discovered that this was a world class break and they needed to find other surfers to come up and towsurf this amazing wave.

Photo: Richard Hallman

In 2002 Santa Cruz locals, Peter Mel and Adam Replogle  came up on an invite and were the first professional surfers to towsurf Nelscott Reef.

They made the drive North with skepticism after a local surfers forecast of 30’ waves. Not knowing the history of the area or conditions needed for the reef, it was a blind mission and they relied solely on faith and a local knowledge. By days end, they were blown away with the size and conditions that they had towsurfed. It was consistently  huge all day and they had the entire session to themselves with 30’-40’ sets.

They not only put on a show for the local surfers, but put Nelscott Reef on the maps. This was a historic surfing event that did not go unnoticed.

Surfer: Jeremy Rasmussen / Photo: Richard Hallman

After their first ever tow-in session on the reef, photos began to flood the internet and it did not take long for other surfers to take notice and make the decision to take an adventure northward to Oregon.

The following season in 2003/04, professional surfers, Chuck Patterson and Eric Akiskalian of Towsurfer.com made the long 20 hour drive up from Southern California. With high hopes of scoring beautiful conditions and surf in the 35’-40’ range as the previous year during Peter and Adam’s session.

As it turned out, the swell held up to its predictions with a 14’ at 17 sec. reading and a straight west swell which delivered 3 days of solid reef and beach break swell that not only blew minds, but opened the eyes to all the local surfers once again.

Photo: Richard Hallman

It did not take long for the local surfers to realize that in order to get out to the reef, they needed to invest in PWC’s and safety equipment to bust thru the giant 20’-30’ beach break zone. That following year, Keith Galbraith, George Desoto, Tim Henton, Mark Builder, Ollie Richardson and Dan Hasselschwart became the next COLD WATER core generation of Oregon towsurfers that trained and towed every XXL swell FOR the next decade.

DURING THE BIG WAVE SEASON OF 2005/2006 PETER MEL CAME BACK AND MADE HISTORY ONCE AGAIN BY BECOMING THE FIRST SURFER TO EVER PADDLE INTO NELSCOTT REEF. THE ROAD HAD BEEN PAVED BY THIS LEGEND AND PETER MEL WILL FOREVER BE ETCHED IN THE HISTORY AND MAKING OF THIS AMAZING WAVE.

With the evolution and progression of traditional big wave paddle surfing, it did not take long for the eager and brave to thrust themselves over giant ledges on the reef as they paddled into these PNW monsters. This was the start of a new generation of elite paddle surfers that took place around the 2008/09 big wave season. However, it was a slow paddle surge that really did not take off until the 2010/11 winter season.

Photo: Richard Hallman

What once started out as a tow-in only wave because of its size, has turned into an international destination for many professional big wave surfers from abroad and locally that are now paddling into these amazing waves with fearless attitudes and commitment.

Thanks to the dedication, passion and commitment from local big wave surfer Keith Galbraith who turned from tow surfer into big wave paddle surfer. Keith is the one that really started the local paddle surge around 2011 and eagerly made the decision to paddle instead of tow during most swells. He was training and pushing the next generation of young big wave surfers on how to drive PWC’s as safety and assist vessels while paddling into giant waves on the reef with the new paddle crew.

Keith has since moved to Maui, Hi where he lives with is girlfriend and enjoys the warmer waters and climate along with beautiful surf. Can you blame the guy? After all, Oregon is known for its freezing cold conditions and battering swells that are more frequent then the sunrise and sunset during most days.

Photo: Richard Hallman

In 2014 The Dive N Surf Pro Took Place

More recently we have had the pleasure to have drones added into the Nelscott reef progression from great pilots such as Rob Russo, owner of Russo Surfboards, Brenton Olsen from Drone Age Media, Brian Dalrymple, and Josh Venti.

Notably, Adam WagnerGabe Smith, Richard Hallman and Paul Budlong worked together to bring to you a successful big wave surfing event for the 2017/18 big wave event season, and a movie was produced called Journey to the Reef.

Thank you for reading the History of Nelscott Reef.

 

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