pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

In the last bit their have been numerous inquiries about visiting this area. Having grown up there at the beach I’ve tried to provide some advice on earlier posts about being safe when on our beaches. Tides and waves can be dangerous. One needs to know what they are doing, how to read tides tables and the like to be safe.

To that point, today a father and two daughters were swept out to sea. Don’t know where they are from. One child remains missing and likely dead. The other two were found and remain in hospital and not doing well.

Please visit, it’s gorgeous and worth it but nothing to screw with. Sorry to be the bearer of such sad news, but it’s the truth. Please come and be careful.

Keith S Loc: Federal Way, Wa

The Oregon coast is so beautiful, yet it can also be very dangerous. Please everyone pay attention to your suroundings when out in nature.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

So many people are used to "safe" beaches like in southern New Jersey.
(Iceland beaches are another that can kill the unwary/incautious.)
Sorry to hear about the Dad & two children. I hope the survivors recover quickly.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

Sound advice.

Sam9987

Unfortunately most land lubbers have no idea about water and beaches and can get into major trouble so very easily. I pray that they recover well and quickly, such a tragic ending to what was meant to be a most happy memorable time.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

I was always told to never turn your back on the ocean.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

It’s second nature to us to pay attention to the water and beware of the current situation/tide/wind if you grew up here. But not to the visitors. All my life, every year, events like this are on the local news. Both summer and winter.

Unfortunately it does not sound hopeful for the two who are in the local hospital.
Regardless of that sad situation it’s worth a visit for the views and photo ops. Just please don’t be a fool and go ahead and enjoy the beauty of nature here.

A shot of the beach a few blocks from where we grew up and the area where the family met tragedy. The stairs are new in the last few years and never there when we were kids and young adults.

(Download)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

And learn what rips look like!!!

Sam9987

I was on the beach early one beautiful morning, clear blue skies, fantastic beach, near the pier, so perfect, I decided to go for a swim like I did every chance I got. Normally took me about 15 fun minutes to finely get out past the end of the pier to get in a nice swim in. I looked to my right to see how far I was from the end of the pier and guess what? No Pier... I looked around and say only a tiny tiny spot that was the pier, I estimate that I was about 5 miles out to see. I then knew that I was in major trouble and that it would easily take me 2 or maybe 3 hours to get back to the beach. All of a sudden I heard the loudest roar behind me, I turned and all I saw was this great trough of water so high that I could see no sky. It picked me up and threw me down, once, twice and a third time. By God's grace I woke up on the beach some hours later. The next day (all battered from head to toe) I found out that it was the tail end of a Tsunami that had crossed the Pacific Ocean. Yes the ocean is beautiful and it calls to me, however, always be aware and very careful, you just might not know what it has up it's sleeve. I was double blessed, sincerely hope and pray that these people survive and heal quickly. What a tragedy.

Keith S Loc: Federal Way, Wa

Oh, beautiful place

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

That’s key advice. Even when you’re locally bred. There are “sneaker” waves that come ashore often about every seven ones that are much bigger than the current norm. Being wary without ruining your visit is the way to go.

Sam9987

So true! I lived about 1/2 block from the beach and was a fairly knowledgeable beach bum (or is that bummette?) and still got caught. It is so easy to get caught up in the beautiful surroundings and now be aware of the dangers that lurk about.

Keen

No place is safe (without any risk). Some places are more risky, and others are less risky, but all have some risks. People need to be alert, and educated, and prepare for the worst. I have been swimming in lakes, and rivers, and oceans, since I was three years old. At age 11 I was a Red Cross Certified Life Guard. The way to beat rip tides is to dive deep, and swim parallel to the sore, until you are out of the rip tide. Respect Nature, learn about what you can expect to encounter, and prepare to deal with it.

KenW Loc: Portland OR

I was in Lincoln City two weeks ago for work and watched from a beach access point near my motel huge waves breaking onto the beach. There were people milling around on the sand at the waters edge. I stayed up on the observation deck and shot pictures from there. That night there was a big storm that came that night with 60 to 70 mile an hour gusts. It rained most of the week I was there and the waves were something to pay attention to. They were beautiful but treacherous and could sweep someone out to sea in a heartbeat.

cascoly Loc: seattle

i was in the tide pools near devil's punch bowl about the end of low tide - a wide beach with low rocky ridges several inches above the water level - incoming waves would sometimes wet my sandaled feet. Oliver Sudden - i was in water over my waist, tumbled , and just as quickly above water again - none of the other beachcombers even noticed! i later figured out the incoming wave had come up against a 3 ft high wall some 50' BEHIND me and its return was what got me.