High Surf Advisory for the Oregon Coast

 Video of Jen shows why you don't turn your back on the Ocean while looking for Agates, 

she was just lucky to be able to get up and walk away to safety!

Updates - Dec. 23, 2011 A high surf advisory continues this afternoon, evening and through 4pm Saturday afternoon.  From the above picture it’s extremely smart to not even get close to all that wave energy. There’s not a safe rock out there to watch from unless from a state park overlook where the waves can’t get to you. Sneaker waves are likely to be abundant. - This is NOT the time to be Beach combing On The Oregon Coast!  Wait for the advisory to be lifted, let the sea settle down for a day or two.  Here you can safely watch the stormy sea in the comfort of your warm home - watch for view #2 of our web cameras.

IMPACTS: IT IS DANGEROUS TO VENTURE NEAR THE WATER UNDER HIGH SURF CONDITIONS. PEOPLE HAVE DROWNED AFTER BEING SWEPT WAY FROM ROCKS AND JETTIES WHILE OBSERVING HIGH SURF…OR AFTER BEING KNOCKED DOWN BY LOGS AND OTHER DEBRIS.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED THIS HIGH SURF ADVISORY

Watch those waves! (added 12-06-11)
"The Friday after Thanksgiving was gorgeous —mostly clear skies, warm temperatures and, for many, the desire to get out of the house after being cooped up the rainy and windy day before.

Unaware — or maybe just not concerned — that there was a high surf warning issued by the National Weather Service, people flocked to the South Jetty. We went down there with the idea of watching the waves from the car, but seeing so many people — I counted 80 at one point — drew us onto the beach as well.

People were jumping waves, playing in the beach foam and looking for agates. A huge log was being lifted by the surf, which, every seventh wave or so, was rushing up the beach, sending people scattering for dry sand.

I watched the log and the people standing directly behind it, one of them crouched down looking for agates, wondering if I should warn them of the danger.

What I need to know is what part of “high surf warning” do these people not understand? And yet I was there too. Seems I’ve also forgotten years ago when I first moved here being trapped under a huge log, losing my glasses, camera and shoes when a wave came over us in a cave near Face Rock.

Friday, I cringed every time the ocean came and moved the log, but thankfully, no one was trapped or caught by a sneaker wave.

But I urge all beach-goers to be aware of the tides, check the NWS before you go to the beach and use extreme caution. The ocean is beautiful and deceptively serene, yet potentially deadly."

Editorial note: As quoted from a Bandon Western World reader.

New Years eve is showing great finds at Newport!

Entered December 31, 2010...I just got this out of the camera. Frank found this earlier and brought in one the nicest tube agates we have seen in many years.  These are not commonly found here at the coast but this is a beauty.  The photos were back lit to better see the patterns that run from the back of the stone clear through to the front.  Well done Frank, for a wrap up to the year 2010.

Still Rock'n The Coast at Newport

Breaking News from the Oregon Coast, Richard & I saw this gravel bed Sunday the 8th and it is still producing agates for our guest here on the Oregon Coast! Frank was nice enough to forward this photo from his phone to share with you.

This is definitely a rare treat for beach combers during the summer when it is normally sanded in by the winds from the north. There is no way of knowing if this will look like this tomorrow, many times it is just a fleeting chance of (6 hours) the changing of the tide.

Nature Abounds on the Central Oregon Coast

Agate found on the central Oregon coast, this 3½ pound agate was just found by Newport residents Greg & Cheryl, it has yet to be cleaned more but upon close inspection it appears to be ice blue in color.

This is a rare treasure that was also found on the beach at Newport. This is a 3 pound piece of green basalt that has been worked with a drill appears to be Indian artifact, possibly a sinker for a fishing net?

Rock Candy? Butterscotch? Here is just a few of the Beach combing treats found last week by Tim, while he was collecting from Yachats to Lincoln City. They look good enough to eat.

< - - Editors Note: There is a quarter at the center bottom for scale.