Mother Agate Births the Oregon Paddle Out
- 1 hour ago
- 8 min read
By Sandy Blackman
The Agate Beach Cove gave birth to surfing the summer of 1964 when Scott Blackman, Rick 'Ohana' Baley and Larry Tucker began to surf in earnest. In 1965 the three founded the Agate Beach Surf Club (ABSC) and organized the first surf contest along the central Oregon coast at the Agate Beach Cove.
For decades Scott Blackman referred to the cove as Mother Agate since it gave birth to surfing for him, the ABSC members, surfing contests, visiting surfers, paddle outs and the strong surfing culture that is present today. Historically Agate Beach has been the home of Oregon Surfing Past and Present for seven decades along the central Oregon coast. Ossies Surf Shop owner Dan Hasselschwert explains, "We participate in the Oregon Paddle Out (OPO) to pay our respects to the pioneers of Oregon surfing. The culture we have at Agate Beach was built on the grit and inspiration of the original locals.”
Many of the ABSC members, their siblings and families reside and surf along the ten-mile surf spots from Otter Rock to Agate Beach and South Beach. The first paddle out at Agate Beach was in 2008 for ABSC member Marty Skriver. OPO Board member Jack Skriver remembers, "The first paddle out at Agate Beach that I know of was in the summer of 2008 for my big brother Marty. I can't think of a better way to pay tribute to our lost surfer friends and family." Jack and younger brother Steve Skriver led the first paddle out and it began the tradition of having paddle outs for local surfers at Agate Beach and Otter Rock.
Scott Blackman wanted the Agate Beach Cove to be recognized for birthing the surfing culture along the central Oregon coast. After Blackman's death in July 2018, Mike Cavanaugh, the city of Newport's Recreation Director, and Scott Blackman's wife, Oregon surfing historian Sandy Blackman started fundraising for a surfing memorial to honor the members of the Agate Beach Surf Club. Local surfer Bob Hollen designed and built the beautiful rock monument that sits overlooking the Agate Beach Cove in 2019.
Jack Skriver joined Mike Cavanaugh and Sandy Blackman in 2020 to organize the dedication of the ABSC memorial. Jack brought his history, surfing connections, and expertise in leading paddle outs. Unfortunately, the celebration was cancelled when the Covid pandemic arrived, closing many events in Oregon in 2020-2021.
The three resurrected the celebration in July 2022 and it was a great success. Surfers and their families attend from around Oregon, Hawaii, Washington, and California to honor the ABSC members and 63 Oregon surfers who had passed. Tastee Tiki food cart owner James Book reflects, "We love the paddle out, it's a time of remembrance and deep reflection but also togetherness and celebration for the Oregon surfing community at large and this year."
After receiving a donation from the Agate Beach Motel at the end of the 2022 celebration it was decided to formalize the event and call it the Oregon Paddle Out (OPO). Cavanaugh and Blackman started the grass roots organization and began recruiting local surfers that represented all ages, genders with varied skill sets as board members. Currently there are eleven board members. Newport High School teacher and surfer Corrina Hargett, states, "I jumped at the chance to be on the OPO board. What an amazing event and the people involved with it. Last year I enjoyed paddling out with Bonnie Good who was 81 years old. Bonnie inspired me greatly!"
The OPO has established relationships with the city of Newport's Recreation Department, the Agate Beach Motel, Ossies Surf Shop, the Tastee Tiki food cart, Pura Vida Surf Shop, Envision Surfboards, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and the Friends of Newport Parks and Recreation. The event brings hundreds of visitors to the Newport area which benefits these relationships, and many local businesses.
The gathering of Oregon's surfing tribe is like a large family reunion where surfers, their families and friends gather to reminisce, honor their loved ones, and participate in multiple surfing activities. OPO board member Jay Sennewald comments, "This event is one that leaves participants and observers with a sense of comfort in knowing we all share the loss of a loved one as a common element. It brings us together and provides a chance to share our experiences with each other in a special way. All are welcome and encouraged to join us."
The weekend kicks off on Friday, July 10th, with a traditional Hawaiian lei making party where people learn how to use local salal leaves, flowers, and ocean friendly string to make leis for the surfers who paddle out on Saturday. The event is from 2:00 - 4:00 at Ossies Surf Shop parking lot at the Tastee Tiki Hawaiian food cart area. OPO board member Corrina Hargett comments, "Last year I met Cheryl Swan. Her husband, surfer Steve 'Swanie' Swan passed away sometime in April 2025. She was freshly grieving her husband. It was a great honor to meet her, make our leis together, wear it in the paddle out and place it in the water for her." Last year there were over 25 people making leis. The lei making party is open to the public. Anyone may drop off flowers or learn how to make lies.
Friday July 11th is a full day of activities from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. The OPO board and surf shop owners from Ossies and Pura Vida help with the day’s activities. Dan Hasselschwert comments, "Having known and surfed alongside many of these legends since I arrived 30 years ago, it is an honor to see them recognized. My hope is that future generations feel that same connection to the ocean’s energy and carry our shared legacy forward."
The pre-paddle out ceremony starts at 10:00 am at the cove. Names of Oregon surfers being honored will be read, safety instructions will be given, and all surfers are encouraged to sign a liability waiver. At 10:30 am surfers will begin paddling out around the corner of Yaquina Head. The paddle out circle cannot be seen from the beach. It can be viewed from Quarry Cove parking lot at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area around 11:00 am.
Visitors to Yaquina Head will need an American the Beautiful National Parks Pass or Oregon Coast passport; or pay $7.00 a car for a three-day pass. Julie Hollen states, "The paddle out from Quarry Cove is a birds eye view of the ceremony and often you can hear what is being said below. It's a way of participating without the skills to paddle out. It's a beautiful experience."
Surfer wives, Julie Hollen and Teri Jernigan, will welcome visitors to the paddle out ceremony at Quarry Cove. Honored surfer’s names will be shared, and Julie will blow the conch shell to acknowledge the surfers as they form the circle below the cliffs. Visitors may take photos or videos from their phones. To protect the nesting birds at Yaquina Head and to preserve the sacredness of the paddle out circle ceremony, the OPO does not allow the use of drones. Corrina Hargett remembers, "There is so much love at the OPO event as evidenced by the heart unintentionally made by the participants in the water at last year’s circle."
OPO board members Jay Sennewald and Tony Stein will be the paddle out leaders. Stein explains, "It's an honor to be a paddle out leader and experience the surfing community's bond and the eternal nature of the ocean. Managing the circle, initiating the sharing of names, leading the final tossing of flowers, the beating of water and hooting to send off the person's spirit is something that I'm grateful for."
In response to feedback the OPO has spent the last year planning alternative ways to accommodate surfers and the public who struggle to reach the beach activities. Lucky Gap Trail is an alternative route that starts at the large parking lot at the Agate Beach Wayside. It is a gentle trail that leads to the beach, and visitors can then walk north to the cove. James Book shares, "Some mobility-challenged folks have found the access trail onto the beach a little strenuous so for 2026 the plan is to film and stream the event live on the big screen from the new Tiki Stage at Ossies for a more inclusive and comfortable participation opportunity for all." A onetime shuttle will be available to and from Agate Beach for mobility challenged folks. There is limited seating. For more info email: oregonpaddleout@gmail.com.
During the 1960s paddle races on surf boards were a part of the surf contests and the pioneer surfing culture. The paddle races start at 12:00 pm. Surfers can only use surf boards that are 11 feet and under and must sign up at the cove the day of the races. Twenty-five contestants are the maximum for the paddle race. The race is approximately a half mile starting and finishing from the beach. Bragging rights and cash prizes will be given for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. Non-winner categories for the oldest and youngest male and female will be awarded gift cards from Ossies and Pura Vida surf shops. The races have become a fun way to honor Oregon's surfing history.
From 1:00 to 4:00 ABSC surfer Jeff Hollen and his wife Julie open their home to all surfers and their families. They serve food and non-alcoholic drinks, inviting everyone to swim in their pool, sit in the hot tub, relax, and visit. This allows the surfing community to reconnect with each other. Julie Hollen explains, "I think what I enjoy most and why I put out the invitation is it was a way to gather as a group together. To reunite and to meet different generations of surfers or folks with a shared interest. Hui pu." The Hollen house is located a stone’s throw from the Agate Beach Motel on NW Gilbert Way.
The vintage surfboard show case began in 2024 to celebrate 60 years of surfing at Agate Beach. It has become a popular part of the OPO weekend. The OPO encourages surfers to bring their classic 60s and early 70s surf boards and drop them off at the Hollen house on Saturday where they will be on displayed outside around the pool and fence.
Dan Hasselschwert remembers, "Having started surfing in the 1990's, I never had any interest in these heavy relics from the past. But after seeing them hanging on the wall at Ossies, being able to compare fin placements, stringers and other intricacies that are only distinguishable from a collection of boards, I really have become a fan." For more info about the vintage boards email: oregonpaddleout@gmail.com.
Starting at 6:00 pm surfers, family and friends migrate across highway 101 to Ossies Surf Shop and the stage at Tastee Tiki food cart. Each year OPO board member Casey Felton provides entertaining videos ranging from the past to the current surfing culture. The evening will end with live entertainment from OPO board member Charles Mitchell, Mike Harrington, and surfing friends at the Tastee Tiki stage. All are welcome.
Mother Agate is eternal and she has graciously given birth to the Oregon Paddle Out as it celebrates its 5th year. ABSC member Ohana Baley who grew up overlooking the cliffs of Mother Agate writes, "Waves rise up, waves crash down ... liquid poetry." The waves never stop. The cove at Agate Beach and the waves continue to enthrall the young, the old, the new and the returning surfing tribe. The OPO board invites you to Hui Pu ..."come together" July 11th, 2026, at Mother Agate. Aloha!
