Eric Ekoff waiting for the surge at 12 ft.   photo: ©Fields

Jim Pytel flip turn at 12 ft.   photo: ©Fields

Just downstream from the operating mill in Swisshome, OR is a nice set of ledges that generate some nice waves or holes depending on the water level. The Mill Wave is best known for creating a bowl shape surf wave with a strong shoulder along the eddy around 11 feet. The Mill wave has a completely different face at lower water levels when the play spots up and downstream are shallow and scrapy. At low water the Mill forms a stacked set of hole the last of which is a great looping and cartwheel hole. When Lake Creek and the Siuslaw are low the Mill Wave is a great park and play spot.

There is a good eddy behind the Mill Wave, however it is full of trees and brush. This brush in the eddy isn't all bad because it give you something to hang onto when you are waiting for you turn on the wave.

8 feet to 10 feet: The front wave is more of hole now and other waves and holes are in right behind it. From 8 to 9 feet the last hole is great for looping.

10.5 to 11.5 feet:  The front wave is going off and second wave/hole is starting to come to life.

11.5 to 12 feet:  The front wave is fun to surf but can be real fickle and the surge can lift you right off the wave. Could be a lot more fun in a long boat (flat spin for days).

Above 12.5 feet:  Epic for front surfing in a sea kayak.

Siuslaw River at Mapleton.

Rainy season October to May.

Anyone with a roll will probably have fun here.

For the run, make your way to the town of Mapleton, Oregon on Oregon Highway 126 between Florence and Eugene. From Mapleton head upstream on Oregon Highway 36 toward Triangle Lake, along the Siuslaw River to the Sleepy town of Tide, OR (5.4 Miles). The modest riverside park and boat ramp is the take-out for Lake Creek. From Tide continue to drive upriver past the Mill and town of Swisshome. to the boat ramp at Indiola, this is the typical put-in.

To park and play the Mill Wave take Oregon Highway 36 to just below (downstream) of the operating Mill near Swisshome and turn road below it that crosses the railroad tracks and head toward the river. Where this road ends there is an old boat ramp that ends in the eddy for the Mill Wave. Better directions coming soon when there is a street sign naming this road again.

Mapleton, OR should have everything you need otherwise head back to Eugene.

Head to the McKenzie or hike and creek on Sweet Creek just down the road.

There are some undeveloped campsites near along the river. However the weather is generally miserable when the play is in.

Get there early on the weekends to avoid the afternoon crowds. At 10.5 feet to 11.5 feet you can catch The Grassy Lawn, The Mill Wave and Red Hill Wave all in at the same time.