The Spouting Horn, an "ocean geyser", showing off at Cape Perpetua during high surf last weekend
Surfrider chapters have been taking advantage of the great surf and beautiful fall weather on the Oregon coast, hosting cleanups, group paddles, and events that bring us together in community. As we gear up for another state legislative session, and continue to play federal defense, there are also opportunities to engage locally to protect Oregon's beaches and water quality. We hope to see you at an event this fall and winter, whether it's our King Tide crawl, an advocacy opportunity, an educational webinar, or a fun trivia night!
- Kaia Hazard, Oregon Regional Manager
Protecting Our Beaches:
Clatsop County Updates Coastal Access & Development Rules
On October 8, the Clatsop County Commissioners unanimously adopted updates to the County's comprehensive plan to reflect modern needs for managing the areas beaches, dunes, and coastal development, particularly in the face of environmental challenges like sea level rise and coastal erosion. As climate impacts accelerate, the County’s leadership in updating the plan sets a meaningful precedent for protecting public beaches, coastal ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them.
The updates align county policies with Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goal 18 and introduces new policies on issues such as cable landings, shoreline protective structures, and sea level rise. The unanimous County decision and final language marks a major milestone and victory in our Protect Clatsop Beaches campaign. Campaigns like this to update local comprehensive plans to better adapt to climate change and coastal hazards is a key campaign strategy in our broader Oregon Beaches Forever efforts.
Whether you're a local or a visiting beachgoer, you've probably noticed that new parking fees have been implemented at a number of State Parks this month. We've seen a lot of misinformation going around, so Surfrider Foundation offers this breakdown of what to expect, why the change is happening, and ways everyone can still enjoy the beaches without paying a fee.
Did you know? General fund tax dollars do not support Oregon State Parks operations. Most funding comes from lottery, visitor fees, and non-tax sources like donations.
The Oregon Health Authority is accepting feedback for the 2026 and 2027 monitoring seasons of the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program now through October 31. Ocean recreational users like surfers and swimmers, as well as beachgoers that regularly come in contact with water, depend on such water quality monitoring programs to alert the public when bacteria levels indicate a potential health risk. Individuals are encouraged to provide feedback on the list of proposed sites through the program's website. Click the button below for the feedback form, and to learn more about the connection that Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force has to beach bacteria monitoring in Oregon (hint: we predate it!).
The Sequel No One Asked For: Renewed Riprap Bid in Cannon Beach
A homeowner in Cannon Beach is back with another application for riprap on their short term rental property in Cannon Beach.
You may be thinking “this again?” – and you’d be right. Last winter, they submitted an application for armoring at that property, which was denied by the Cannon Beach Planning Commission. They appealed that decision to the City Council last March, where it was denied again as the final decision.
Now, we’re doing it all over again. After applying for a second time, their largely-unchanged application was once again denied by the Planning Commission in a 6-1 in August. They've appealed to the City Council, with a hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 4th. Lend your voice to help protect Cannon Beach!
We’re rounding out another year of Oregon Beaches Forever with a slough of fun events! Join us virtually for two more installments of our webinar series, or in person at events in Newport and Cannon Beach.
Wanna see what we’ve covered in our webinar series so far? Check out our Youtube channel for a playlist of all our past webinars.
Highlights from our 2025 Surfrider Cascadia Conference
Following last year's national Surfrider Summit to celebrate our 40th anniversary, this year we're back to regional conferences with our chapter leaders here in the PNW - and we are so back! Chapter activists from OR, WA, and AK gathered with Surfrider staff at the Adrift Hotel in Long Beach, WA to connect, learn, and build stoke! We had a ton of fun, and feel so appreciative to have such an incredible network of activists protecting our PNW ocean, waves, and beaches. Check out our blog below for highlights from the weekend, and get ready to call dibs on your spot for next year!
Every October, Surfrider chapters and clubs celebrate restaurants and hotels that are leading the way in reducing single-use plastics and protecting our ocean. Next time you go out to eat or plan a stay-cation, consider supporting your local Ocean Friendly businesses, and help us show these sustainability champions some love!
Not Ocean Friendly yet? Encourage your favorite restaurant or hotel to sign up and be part of the movement for cleaner, healthier coasts.
This year's report features a great highlight of our Oregon Beaches Forever work
The Surfrider Foundation is stoked to share some climate optimism with the release of the 2025 State of the Beach Report. Despite the fact that more than 50% of our beaches are projected to be lost by 2100 — a figure that is upwards of 70% in places like California — Surfrider and its powerful network of volunteers from coast to coast are honing in on local solutions to address the most pressing impacts of climate change. Read more and download the report here.
September Beach Cleanup Recap
Surfrider chapters across Oregon welcomed fall by hosting 7 cleanups in the month of September! The Portland Chapter held their annual Oswald West Action Day, and the Newport and Coos Bay chapters hosted cleanups for International Coastal Cleanup Day.
All together, 145 volunteers removed 188 lbs of trash from our beaches!
Upcoming Events!
November 5 – OBF Webinar: Valuing our Beaches - RSVP & Info
November 5 - Portland Ocean Trivia Night - RSVP & Info
November 13 - Newport Fate of Beverly Beach - RSVP & Info
November 19 - Portland Wave Watch Wednesday - RSVP & Info
December 1 - OBF Webinar: King Tides Project - RSVP & Info
December 6 - Cannon Beach King Tide Watch Party - RSVP & Info
January 15 - Newport Volunteer Appreciation Party - save the date!
Scenes from the Oregon field!
While conditions weren't great, stoke was high for Surfrider Coos Bay's August Surf Camp! Thank you to all the volunteer surf instructors that make these free youth surf camps possible!
Surfrider Portland volunteers lucked out with a beautiful day for their fall Oswald West Action Day. 37 volunteers removed 53 lbs of trash from Shortie's and enjoyed a surf and beach day afterwards along with a group camp at Nehalem Bay State Park.
Surfrider Coos Bay celebrated their local estuary with their 12th annual StandUP! for the Bay community paddle in September. Blue skies abound!
Thank you to the 15 volunteers who came out for Surfrider Newport's October Highway 101 cleanup! We collected 38 bags of trash from the ocean-fronting section of road near Moolack Beach.
We celebrated Ocean Friendly Restaurants month with a great night of sustainable seafood and a fabulous presentation from Dr Sarah Wolf on oyster aquaculture at Flying Fish PDX.
