Oregon Drift

Beware the sneaker wave

Sneaker waves appear without warning, slamming the beach with deadly force. They carry sand that can saturate your clothes, weighing you down and hindering your escape.

Be Safe: Never turn your back on the ocean.

Watch those logs

The ocean’s power can lift a log and drop it on top of you. Even small logs can weigh tons when they’re waterlogged.

Be Safe: If you see a log in the surf or on wet sand, stay away.

Rip currents

Swift currents rushing out to sea can sweep you off your feet, and they’re stronger than any swimmer. Dark, choppy water is one sign of a rip current. Debris and foam floating out to sea are another.

Be Safe: Keep children close when playing in the ocean. If caught in a rip current, don’t panic. Swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current, then head for the beach.

Know the tides

Strolling out to an interesting rock can leave you stranded if the tide rolls in.

Be Safe: Stay off rocks and small, enclosed beaches. Pick up a free tide table at a state park, an information center, a shop or a motel.

High waves can reach you

Waves can sweep you off a rock, jetty or headland, carrying you out to sea.

Be Safe: Avoid exposed rocks, jetties and headlands during strong wave action. Don’t assume anything is ‘high enough.”

Beware of high, steep cliffs

Assume all cliff edges are unstable. Wet trails or soft ground can make for unstable footing. Rocks can be slippery even in dry weather.

Be Safe: Wear proper shoes, and stick to the trails. Stay behind guardrails and fences.

Heads up

Standing below a cliff can be dangerous. Storms and waves have eroded the shoreline in some places, increasing the chance of slides.

Be Safe: Beware of falling rocks. Don’t climb bluffs and eroding hillsides. Avoid the bases of cliffs.