Manzanita Magic: My Favorite Kiteboarding Spot on the Oregon Coast

We started our trip camping and kiting in the legendary Hood River Gorge, but a brutal heatwave was on the way, and the wind forecast looked bleak. As temperatures soar past 40°C, the thermal winds in the Gorge usually die down-worst-case scenario for any kiter, stuck in the heat with no wind or water to cool off.
Seeing the forecast, we knew we had to make a move. All signs pointed to the coast: Victor the Inflictor, Temira's "The Gorge is My Gym" blog, Canadian WindIsgood, and Windy-all confirmed solid wind at the Coast. No fog in sight, so we knew it was going to be incredible.
We quickly booked a campsite at Nehalem Bay and hit the road. As we got closer to the sea, the temperature dropped, a welcome relief from the heat in Hood River. And what a payoff-three straight days of perfect kiting conditions! Each day, the wind grew stronger, proving the iKite sensor was underreading by about 5 knots, especially at the southern tip of the peninsula.
The waves were perfect for working on my weaker side-right foot forward-but also ideal for sending huge loops and board-offs. Ocean kiting here is pure joy, with so much space between the waves. The flats are stellar for takeoffs, and the waves are just too fun to play with.
One day, we ventured to Manzanita, camping by the beach and riding up north. Later, we discovered an even better launch spot from the day-use area at Nehalem Bay. Crossing the dune, we found cleaner, stronger wind and bigger waves. It seems the big rock on the north part of the beach may block some wind, but south of it-conditions were perfect.
This trip was an absolute blast. Ocean kiting at its best-clean waves, expansive flat spaces, lifty and steady wind, and crystal-clear water. What more could you ask for?
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Infraction - Engine

[@Olli_Schwarz]

Nice clean waves 😍

[@ingridkugelberg8099]

Yeeees nice one!

[@tmotten]

Looks epic. Gotta go

[@vinny61389]

A perfect summer spot. Agreed closer to town the wind seems funky , closer to the park has been best in my experience.

[@Kitehomiez]

Yep the more south u go the better the waves and wind get

[@jwgeut]

Dude this spot looks juicy!!

[@Kitehomiez]

I love it

[@thebreak247]

This spot is awesome!

[@thebreak247]

Very much like Dillon Beach.

[@Kitehomiez]

@@thebreak247 We gotta go down to sherman next year - hopefully we can check this one out as well

[@powerlooper9121]

Looks terrific. I guess I'll have to buy a wetsuit.

[@Kitehomiez]

Do it! haha. It can get cold

[@slappysurf]

I prefer Fort Stevens myself, the waves at manzo are always so confused! Fun place to camp though.

[@Kitehomiez]

Never been at Fort Stevens but my buddies loved it last time

[@scotteiesland4490]

Was this filmed in July? I think I saw you guys and Phillip there. It’s my home kitesurf spot but when the waves are small it’s really a great twintip spot. Amazing wind this year, equal to the Gorge and hardly a foggy day like we once typically had when Portland is hot.

[@Kitehomiez]

Yeah. July - over 3 days - Phillip was there too at some point and a bunch of Seattle crew, sadly couldnt get their footage. But yeah it was a good month - water wasnt super cold either :P.

[@scotteiesland4490]

@@Kitehomiez fun to watch. I’ve been working up to looping. I can downloop and heliloop but we’ll see if i actually loop this year. Kiting for ten years but mostly surf and foil till this year. My Manzanita house is rented most of the summer but mostly weekends the rest of the year. I have 10 acres above Mosier I’m working on with a gutted house but working utilities if you ever need a camping spot in the Gorge. Lots of parking for RVs too