Received: from hplms26.hpl.hp.com by opus.hpl.hp.com with ESMTP (1.37.109.18/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1) id AA213591948; Wed, 4 Jun 1997 12:19:09 -0700 Return-Path: <bambugib@harborside.com-DeleteThis> Received: from harborside.com by hplms26.hpl.hp.com with SMTP (1.37.109.16/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1S) id AA170121943; Wed, 4 Jun 1997 12:19:03 -0700 Received: from [204.214.110.82] [204.214.110.82] by harborside.com with smtp (Exim 1.62 #3) id 0wZLWY-0004lj-00; Wed, 4 Jun 1997 12:15:12 -0700 Message-Id: <v01520d00afbaff62b3f2@[204.214.110.82]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis From: bambugib@harborside.com-DeleteThis (Gib Cooper) Subject: Gib's Pistol FAQ Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 12:15:12 -0700
>Gib,
>
>Can you give me some info on Pistol River? How to get there from
>the bay area, what shops are around, what the sailing is like, etc.
>The weather forecast is setting up pretty sweet and I am thinking of
>making a road trip - I got that itch.
>
>Thanks in advance for any information.
>
>- Zeev.
--------------------------
PISTOL RIVER aka "The Rock"
The most popular wavesailing site in the area. Maybe one of the top
3 spots on the entire West coast! Usually, blowing 20-30 mph on a normal
wavesailing day with waves 3-4 feet. Sometimes blowing hard with little
surf to 2 feet. Can have many days with 6 feet or bigger. The usual season
for best wind is *July-August*. June and September are fringe months.
Access to the beach is pretty good, just a couple of hundred yards. Rigging
is on grass. The parking is on grass and usually pretty warm. Best to call
ahead if coming through the area in fringe season.
There are no facilities at the site other than a lone porta potty. However,
this *can* be the center of local information, like where to pick up
Windtracks magazine, cards from the local surf shop, lost puppy notices and
the used quiver for sale in the parking area. Closest facilities are in
Gold Beach 5-6 miles North. RV and camping sites can be found on Hunter
Creek Loop, just South of Gold Beach. Hot showers and quiet spots can be
found at Hunter Creek RV Park, Jason or Ron 503/247-2322, 28555 Hunter
Creek Loop, Gold Beach, OR 97444 or (Oregon Coast RV Park, Gail or Allen
503/247-0402, 28765 Hunter Creek Loop, GB, OR 97444-WARNING MAY BE CLOSED
FOR 1997 DUE TO FLOODING DAMAGE). For more info about the availability of
one of the 700 hotel rooms in Gold Beach check the Chamber of Commerce 800/
525-2334. The longer stay might deserve on of the vacation rentals around
the area. There are several right above "The Rock".
CAPE SEBASTIAN
The Cape access is found at a parking lot at the foot of the long
grade which comes down from Cape Sebastian on the coast highway heading
south. The access here to the beach is down a precarious 20 foot high
trail. Rigging is on pavement or in the blowing sand on the beach.
Launching should be a quarter mile upwind, head for Hunter Island. The jibe
should be before the wind shadow of the island. The waves can be long and
quite workable. The wind tends to be gustier than the rock. Stay well
upwind of the groups of rocks to the south. There is usually a dead zone
for big guys right where the biggest sets pound. Some people can be sitting
ducks. The winds are generally lighter on the inside and stronger on the
outside.
NEW SAILING SITES IN GOLD BEACH
Over the past few years several local top notch wavesailors, like
Rob Smith, Clay Feeter, Ted Taylor and Peter Keyes have hit Kissing Rock
and South jetty on some exceptional days. The Kissing Rock site was
remarkable this year due to the extent of the sand bar which went out as
far as the first rock (a hundred yards or so). This site is located at the
mouth of Hunter Creek. I witnessed the guys, on one particularly awesome
day, working over the area like only locals can. They found that launching
upwind closer to the South Beach Park area in Gold Beach was best.
Kissing Rock can also go off for surfers during special times of
the year. I was treated to goofy foot, home boy paradise for a week in
April in the near past. This summer local yokels Clay Feeter, Les Stansell,
and the me caught some speedy rights breaking hard on the sand bar. We
dragged some visiting bi-surfall types from the rest of the nation out for
the good waves, like Jerry Punt from SOUTH DAKOTA! and Will Simmons from
NORTH CAROLINA.
The other area that has seen a rather popular use is the beach just
south of the South Jetty. Nice parking and E-Z launch is enticing to those
who might find Pistol River a little light, gusty or a wind line just out
of reach that day. Sometimes the wind is better in town.
WHAT TO WEAR
Sailing the Oregon Coast is for experts and intermediates with
guidence. The wavesailor should wear a 5/4/3 hooded wetsuit for ultimate
comfort. It is possible to sail comfortably in a 4/3 without hood. In fact
many people do. This would be the minimal requirement. Some people sail
barefoot. Good booties in the 3 mil to 5 mil range will pay for themselves.
Eye protection is crucial. A long season sailing without eye wear
must take a year off your eyelife. The worst situation occurs while
approaching the water crossing the beach. All the sites have gusty,
swirling sand which always gets in your eyes and sticks to your sunscreen.
It is important to get good eyewear which will not fog up or defog
immediatly after waterstarting to give a clear view of the traffic.
LOCAL SHOP
Tradewinds Surf Shop is the only local shop for emergency repairs
and wavesailing equipment. The other nearest shops are 50 miles to the
north and 150 miles to the south. Owners, Gib and Diane Cooper and helpful
daughters, staff the shop all year long. Year round surfers keep the shop
open, but for the traveling windsurfer this can be the place to save the
day. Stop by! We are located about 200 hundred feet from the Coast Highway
at 28446 Hunter Creek Loop, the first driveway on the south entrance of the
loop. Take the HUNTER CREEK, STATE POLICE exit off of Coast Highway (US
101) go 100 feet, turn left on Hunter Creek Loop, Tradewinds is 100 feet
more and turn left. Sorry, RV's and trailors need to park on the loop by
the mailbox and walk up. We are a home occupation and proud of it! The surf
shop is behind the house, and a part of Tradewinds Bamboo Nursery, a mail
order supplier of bamboo and other plants. Check us out!
Further down the loop road are the RV parks and campgrounds
mentioned and a little store and the Hunter Creek Tavern watering hole.
Hunter Creek Loop is a short section of the old Coast Highway by passed
when the highway was straightened out to run down the beach.
By Gib Cooper
Tradewinds Surf Shop
Gib Cooper
TRADEWINDS BAMBOO NURSERY
28446 Hunter Creek Loop
Gold Beach, OR 97444
Tel & FAX: 541/247-0835
http://www.harborside.com/bamboo/
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