In Memory of Gary Smither

2009

After watching the perfect big wave a half mile offshore since '89 and knowing there was no way of paddling a conventional big wave gun through the huge beachbreak to get to it, in 1995 Nelscott Reef pioneer John Forse took an underpowered zodiac out in the 17 feet at 20 second swell and after several tries was able to penetrate the Siletz rivermouth and got outside. Feeling insignificant and vulnerable floating around in the huge open ocean swells he was able to work his way to the channel on the north side of the reef, unpack his gun and paddle to where he thought the take off zone was. With no bearings or landmarks with which to triangulate the wide ranging take off zone he was lucky enough to be in the spot and paddle for his life for the set wave headed his way. The speed of the wave combined with the wind keeping him on the peak prevented him from getting down the face and felt like the "Jay Moriarty stuck in the lip at Mavericks" famous wipeout and got blown out the back only to find the wave's "big brother" bearing down on him. Scrambling for his life he was able to claw up and over the north shoulder and get out of the impact zone. After that "up close and personal" experience John realizes that this was a different kind of wave and was tailor made for towsurfing.

After failing to get any locals to join him on the reef, in 2003 he recruited Santa Cruz Tow Maestros Peter Mel and Adam Replogle to come up and help him "crack the reef" in all it's glory. With faces in the 25 feet to 35 feet range John was finally able to realize his dream and get his wave and Adam and Peter rode the best high performance big wave in the world like it was 4' Malibu and the seed was planted for the inaugural "Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic" which was held December 11, 2005.

HOLDING PERIOD: Closed

EVENT STATUS: Completed

2009 EVENT HELD 10/22 IN SOLID 30’+