Sand Lake

• Wind directionWSW (250°) → WNW (290°)
• Ideal speed12–20 mph
• Upper limits≤ 25 mph base · gusts ≤ 28

Coastal dune/ridge soaring site on the Oregon coast near Tierra del Mar/Pacific City (Tillamook County), within the Sand Lake Recreation Area. West-facing dunes work on a smooth onshore (W) sea breeze; ideal is a straight-in W to WNW flow (250-290 deg). SW and NW are flyable but more cross/edge (marginal ~225-315). Needs enough onshore push to soar the dune face: roughly 12-20 mph ideal, usable to ~25 mph base / ~28 mph gust before it gets sporty for lighter wings. Hazards: sand abrasion, soft/blown sand on launch and landing, possible rotor/lee turbulence behind dunes and structures, beach traffic and OHV use in the recreation area, and gradient near the cliff/dune edge. Best conditions are afternoon thermally-reinforced sea breeze in spring through fall; SW frontal flow in fall/winter/spring also produces good beach soaring. Listed by the Cascade Paragliding Club; beginner-to-intermediate dune soaring, also used by schools (e.g. White Owl/Paraglide Oregon) for dune intensives. Verify with local club/instructor before flying. No published club guide with explicit numeric wind limits was found, so speed limits are inferred from orientation and standard Oregon-coast dune-soaring practice.