Nehalem Bay Event - incoming tide play at Nehalem river mouth - L3

When
June 26, 2026
8:00 AM
Location
Nehalem Beach Boat Ramp
Spaces left
6

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime.
TO and Safety
Password Reserved for TO use

Full Name:: Ken Sund
Narrative:: Practice your boat handling skills in dynamic water during the incoming tide at the Nehalem River mouth. Depending on who signs up for this L-3 level activity, we can pair up and work on rescues, surfing, rolls, and paddling in and out of current. I will expect those with developed skills to help those with developing skills. Participants should have some experience with self rescue, assisted rescues, holding onto your boat and paddle and waiting for a rescue. If conditions allow, we may paddle outside of the mouth and check out the scenery from offshore. The swell and wind will dictate what we can do that day. Non leaking drysuit, helmet and whistle required. Farmer john and drytop is OK too.
I have not paddled here before and will do some reconnaissance before this event with a similar tide so I can see what's there to play in. It's an adventure, exploring new waters, seeing how currents and features shape what we can do in a small geographic area.
Meeting Time:: 8:00:00 AM
Launch Time:: 8:35:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Nehalem Beach State Boat Ramp
Take out:: Same as put in
Route Alternative for bad weather:: none
Required equipment:: Helmet
Minimum Immersion protection:: Farmer John
Primary Organizer:: Ken Sund
Co-Organizer(s):: need a co organizer
Has organizer paddled here before?: No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before?: No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current?: No
First Aid /CPR Person:: need a person, mine expires in May
Maximum number of paddlers:: 4, more if we can fill the group with L-3 TOs.
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 70
Estimated Water Temperature:: 56
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 5 hours
Tide times & heights:: .17' low at 5:25 am, 5.34' high at 12:13 pm then ebbing to 3.4' by 4:38pm. Small mid day tidal exchange.
Current information:: It maybe flooding as fast as 2 kts at the mouth.
Hazards::
Wind strength:: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Swell/Surf size:: Level 3: Waves to 3', breaking waves to 2'
Sea state:: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types:: Level 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents:: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance:: Level 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing:: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 3
Rating Comments:: I rate this paddle to L-3 due to the variety of dynamic water conditions found at this river mouth.
Location:: Nehalem bay state boat launch
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: Brighton Station # 9437908
Link to map of route (Optional):

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon