Cirque du Sol Lei

Surfers honor local legends and friends

For the second year in a row, the Oregon Paddle Out will be taking place at Agate Beach this weekend, Friday July 14 and Saturday July 15. Last year's event was attended by more than 100 people traveling from Hawaii, Washington, California, Nevada and towns from around Oregon. Surfers will paddle out from the Agate Beach on Saturday to honor 62 Oregon surfers who had passed over the years.

"Being a part of the paddle out circle is a sacred experience where you can feel the spirits and energy of those surfers being remembered,” said OPO board member Ollie Richardson, who oversaw surfers safety last year with his wave runner. “Most participants in the circle are overcome with a variety of emotions, joy, sadness and happiness because they are recognizing those individuals that had an impact in their own lives. I am honored to be a part of this positive community event."

Board member and local surfer Jack Skriver began leading paddle outs the summer of 2008 after the death of his brother, Marty Skriver, an Agate Beach Surf Club member.

"The ABSC set the stage for the thriving surf community we see here today,” Ossies Surf Shop owner Dan Hasselschwert said. “The stories of Marty Skriver beating word champ Corky Carrol at Agate Beach in the 1960's are the stuff of legend and continue to inspire local surfers to this day."

Close to 53 Oregon surfers will be honored at the event, including legendary North Coast surfers Dana Williams and Dick Wald, who will receive special recognition at the pre-paddle out ceremony. Dana Williams, who passed in 2022, started north coast surfing and organized the Seaside Surfing Association in 1963.

Dick Wald, who discovered “The Point” in Seaside and was the first to surf it in 1964 will be on hand to speak about Williams and other pioneer surfers who were instrumental in starting surfing along the north coast.       

"Honoring Oregon surfers who have passed was inspired by the passing of my husband ABSC founder Scott Blackman,” event organizer Sandy Blackman said. “I felt there was a need for myself and others to recognize and put closure to the loss of our loved ones from Oregon’s surfing tribe."

The event begins on Friday with a surfing party at Ossies Surf Shop parking lot from 5 to 8 pm. Hawaiian food, beer and other drinks will be available for purchase from the Tasteetiki food cart. Live music will be provided by Eric Levine and friends. The pre-paddle ceremony on Saturday begins at 11 am at the Agate Beach Motel. The paddle out for surfers, who may use any type of watercraft, will begin at 12:30 at the Agate Beach Cove. Spectators can watch the surfers form a circle under the cliffs of the Yaquina Head Natural Preserve, parking fees apply. For more information, go to the Oregon Paddle Out page on Facebook.