Oregon Tow Surf History

Oregon Tow Surfing Timeline

Below is a timeline of events which I feel have been significant in the sport of tow-in surfing in Oregon. I have tried to stay as accurate as possible and have included quotes and pictures when available. This is an on going process and I welcome any feedback anyone has. -Dan Hasselschwert

1995- After watching the wave for years, John Forcse makes his way out to a reef known to local fisherman and the coast guard as “Tackle Buster Reef”, in a zodiac and attempts to paddle into a wave, he does not catch a wave.
2001 Oct.- After hearing about the wave from John, Craig Spuit becomes the first person to let go of the rope and ride a wave on the newly discovered reef in Lincoln City Oregon. “I went out with John on October 17, 2001 and towed the beach break” Craig Recalls.

2000?? Disagreement over the name of the reef, for safety reasons Craig Spuit prefers the name Tackle Buster Reef because this is historically what the reef is known as on nautical charts and referred to by the local fishermen and coast guard; John Force prefers the name Nelscott Reff which is the name of the area in Lincoln City directly west of the reef. “I started staying at the West Shore Motel. That is where I talked to Ed (the owner) about a great place for a cam of the reef. Ed told me that the reef's name was "Tackle Busting Reef.For safety sake I told John about the name being "Tackle Busting Reef I did not want to get hurt out on the reef and have John call on the radio and tell people we were at Nelscott. Nelscott was only known as abeach back a few years ago. All the fishermen know the reef as "Tackle Buster." Craig Recalls

2000??- John Forse invites Santa Cruz locals Peter Mel and Adam Repogal to come and surf the reef.
2000??- John Forse invites Eric Akiskailian & Chuck Patterson to come surf the reef.
2004 Sept.- Ossies’s owner Dan Hasselschwert purchases a waverunner and he and Ryan Heim drive down to Humbolt County California for a tow-surfing training session with Craig Spuit , the Oregon Towsurfing pioneer.
2004 October- December- Dan Hasselschwert pioneers tow surfing at Agate Beach, South Beach, Moolock, Otter Rock and the Florence River Jetty.
2004 December- after towing with Dan, local surfers Ryan Heim and Mark Builder purchase waverunners, tripling the number of tow surfers living on the central coast.

2005 October- The first Nelscott Reef contest is announced, local tow surfers are not invited, as a result the contest is not supported by any surfing brands or surf shops. *under mounting pressure, one local tow team, Mark Builder & Keith Galbreadth, is admitted into the contest! Lincoln CIty local Jason Garding also participates and finishes 5th overall!
2005 Dec. 11- Nelscott Reef Contest- Winners are Zach and Jake Wormhoudt.
2006 Oct. 27- Dan Hasselschwert & Ollie Richardson pioneer a new big wave tow spot, pictures are available but it’s kind of a secret.
2006 Nov. Two tow surfing teams from Seaside begin surfing the reef.
2006 Dec- Ossies teams up with towsurfer.com to hold a protest party during the “Nelscott Reef Invitational” since no local athletes are involved. (read about the drama)
2007 A few more local skis showing up this year, long time local surfer Jason Garding buys a Honda, Keith Galbredth gets a Yamaha and Ollie Richardson buys a Seadoo.
2008 Dan H. & Ollie R. pioneer another big waves spot

What will the future hold???