Overview

Pistol River is one of the most famous wave riding spots in the world, located on Oregon's south coast. Every year, the Pistol River Wave Bash attracts the world's best riders for a legendary wave sailing and wave kiting event. The spot offers world-class waves combined with strong northwest winds. The setting is stunning with sea stacks, rock formations, and pristine wilderness.

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Spot forecast for Pistol River

Sunrise 07:36 · Sunset 18:28

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 3.2 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October Low tide 00:54 · 1 m High tide 08:15 · 2.3 m Low tide 13:18 · 1.9 m High tide 18:35 · 2.3 m
Tuesday 20 October Low tide 01:51 · 1 m High tide 08:56 · 2.4 m Low tide 14:30 · 1.7 m High tide 19:53 · 2.3 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 02:39 · 1 m High tide 09:28 · 2.5 m Low tide 15:23 · 1.5 m High tide 21:00 · 2.4 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 03:21 · 1 m High tide 09:55 · 2.6 m Low tide 16:06 · 1.2 m High tide 21:57 · 2.4 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 03:59 · 1.1 m High tide 10:21 · 2.7 m Low tide 16:45 · 1 m High tide 22:49 · 2.5 m

Pistol River: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

197h

in May · 25 rideable days

The season runs from March to July, peaking in May: 23 rideable days a month and 197 hours of usable wind, at 17 °C. The low point is December, at 8.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 88%13-20 knots · 11%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 88% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is February, at 12 °C. The wettest month is December, with 282 mm.

Monthly averages: Pistol River

Monthly averages — Pistol River — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	14.0	109 h	13 °C	275 mm
February	14.0	93 h	12 °C	211 mm
March	20.5	180 h	12 °C	243 mm
April	24.0	169 h	15 °C	22 mm
May	25.0	197 h	17 °C	50 mm
June	23.0	190 h	20 °C	23 mm
July	23.5	169 h	23 °C	0 mm
August	15.0	104 h	22 °C	12 mm
September	15.0	93 h	22 °C	16 mm
October	13.5	76 h	18 °C	70 mm
November	14.5	91 h	14 °C	281 mm
December	8.5	63 h	13 °C	282 mm

Photo gallery of Pistol River

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Technical details of Pistol River spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, S, SSW, SW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Advanced

On the water

World-renowned ocean spot with waves of 1 to 4m. Water is cold (10-14°C/50-57°F), a 4/3 or 5/3 wetsuit is essential with hood. Sandy bottom with rocks and sea stacks. Waves break perfectly around the rock formations. Powerful shore break. Strong currents between rocks. Ideal conditions for advanced wave riding.

Hazards

Rocks and sea stacks creating very dangerous current zones. Extremely powerful shore break. Strong and unpredictable rip currents. Very cold water — hypothermia without full gear. Frequent sneaker waves. Massive driftwood. Isolated environment — distant rescue services. Pistol River creates additional currents at its mouth. Conditions reserved for very experienced wave riders.

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FW8609 Brookings28.7 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

Brookings Airport Airport26.1 km

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source aviationweather.gov
US101 NB at Brookings MP357.728.7 km

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Webcams near Pistol River

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Nearby spots

All spots: Oregon

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Pistol River kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot