Ever wonder why the Seaside area has four surf shops plus two surf board manufacturers? 

After all, this isnt Hawaii, right? To the uninitiated, it seems like the water is too cold and the waves too small. 

However, within 15 minutes of Seaside there is some the best surfing on the Oregon coast, and with a decent swell, some of the best surfing anywhere in the world. 

While experienced surfers are quick to say that the greatest local surfing spots are dangerous, they also praise the often gnarly conditions.

Check this out, said Trevor Miles lifting up his surfboard after he got through a day on the water. One of the skegs or fins on the bottom of his board had a big chunk out of it. Thats what the rocks at The Point can do, he said. But it was great out there today. Good surf, no gremlins. 

Gremlins, explains Miles, are newbies or inexperienced surfers than get in the way of more advanced surfers. There are many other even less flattering titles for beginners I find out.

While most of the local surfing spots are good for novice through advanced surfers, The Point is for expert surfers only and its exact location south of the cove is not freely advertised. The better surfers want to keep the area clear of beginners or surfer wannabes, said Miles. 

Miles, who is from Tampa Bay, Florida is currently on a west coast tour of the best surfing spots.  This is definitely some of the best surf I have experienced, he said.  A lot of it has to do with the uncrowded, pristine conditions.

Although surfing is a solitary sport, pitting humans against the force of the ocean itself, on a good day with high surf and favorable conditions the water is dotted with black, neoprene covered bodies and colorful boards.  The closest place to surf in the Seaside area is the Cove on the south end of town. 

The Cove is appealing to new surfers because of its proximity to town and easy access, but the strong rip and the numerous rocks make it a beach best suited for intermediate or advanced surfers. 

The Cove is especially liked by longboarders, but on a warm summer day with a strong surf, one can see every type of surfer in the water, even bodysurfers.

After a long day on the water, many of the surfers can be found at the Goose Hollow Inn on Avenue U in Seaside, close to the sea.  There, along with good food and drink, one can hear many surfing stories, at least some of which are true.

A better local beach for all levels of surfers is Indian Beach at Ecola State Park. This was the beach featured in the movie Point Break. Indian Beach is on the south side of Tillamook Head, about four miles north of Cannon Beach.  Indian Beach has a soft landing for inexperienced surfers, but can have great surf for all levels.

The majestic beauty of Indian Beach is unsurpassed, but it tends to attract kayakers, and sometimes kayakers and surfers to interact very well.

South of Cannon Beach is Short Sands Beach that is a part of Oswald West State Park.

At Short Sands surfers hike a half mile down a lovely old growth forest trail to the beach. 

The beach is protected by both north end and south end walls, so the surfing will be better on one side or the other depending on the wind and swell direction.

The hazard with Short Sands is the great number of surfers that use it. Often experienced boarders will surf Short Sands during the off season when there arent a lot of beginning surfers on the inside.

The local surf shops are both comprehensive and friendly to novices and experienced surfers alike, even offering lessons. 

Local shops include Seaside Surf Shop, on Roosevelt Drive, Cleanline Surf Shop both in Seaside and Cannon Beach, and Cannon Beach Surf Shop on Hemlock Street.

The area also boast two great surfboard crafters in Lanny Shuler of  Shuler Surfboards on U.S. 101 just south of Seaside,  and Tom Scott of TVS Fibercraft in Seaside. 

This whole area is kind of an unknown Mecca for good surfers, said Miles. For most of us [surfers], we want to keep it that way. The best day surfing is being out there with a few of your friends enjoying the water and a crazy ride.