HISTORY OF NELSCOTT REEF
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.
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 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.
However, 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.
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.
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 tow surfers that trained and towed every swell they could for the next decade.
IN 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.
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.
Today, during most big wave paddle sessions, you will see local surfers, George Desoto, Tony Perez, Jeremey Rasmusssen, Tyler Cunningham, Laird Tuel, Tyler Muth, Jessie Henton and a few others paddling into beautiful waves on the reef as Eric Akiskalian now, 57 and Ollie Richardson can be seen towing into monsters on South Reef and empty bombing beach breaks during most XXL swells.
We can’t leave out and not mention our favorite local photographers who you can find on the cliffs or on the back of a ski during most every big wave swell. Our Lincoln City local resident Jon Monroe, Bends very own Richard Hallman, from Portland, we are stoked to have Matthew Marino, legendary Jason Murry and fred pompermayer are ALL PART OF our team. 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, and Josh Venti.
Fast forward to 2017
Eric Akiskalian has been coming back to Nelscott Reef for most every major swell since 2003. He has laid the ground work in training most of the locals on how to operate and drive PWC’s for assistance and water safety. Eric also holds the PNW record for riding the biggest wave ever surfed at the age of 50 on South Reef just adjacent from Nelscott Reef.
In 2010, Eric was towed into a 65’ monster by fellow tow partner Keith Galbraith which landed him in the top 5 of the biggest waves ridden in the world that season by the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards.
“Thanks Eric Akiskalian as always for the many years of hard work no one sees, for the long hours behind the wheel, for the stacks of Benjamin’s laid out so that the local crew can have a chance to be a part of the big show. Pray it comes back on you 
fold. Mahalo cuz.” – Jeremy Rasmussen
In 2014 The Dive N Surf Pro Took Place
Notably, Event Director Adam Wagner has been running all the ongoing big wave events at Nelscott Reef since the inception and has created a foundation of success and growth for the sport and local community for over a decade.
This year is no exception, as Adam Wagner, Gabe Smith and Eric Akiskalian are working together to bring to you another successful big wave surfing event for the 2017/18 big wave event season. Thank you for reading the History of Nelscott Reef.
Photo: Richard Hallman