Hansons
- Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- Spot Type
- Empty
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Hansons is a rare sandbar surf spot near Powell River that typically only breaks about five days per year. It produces both left and right waves, and the wave quality is reported as good when the full set-up comes together. For surfing to work, the sandbar is reported to start functioning around 1.5–2 m and can hold up to roughly 2.5 m or more during peak storm cycles. The commonly preferred tide condition is mid tide, with guidance that both rising and falling phases around mid tide can be productive. The wind side of the equation is tightly linked to specific South or Southwest storm conditions. Reported wind reliability is low: rideable sessions generally require strong South/Southwest winds, and the resulting conditions can be choppy. Optimal swell direction is given as South/Southwest. Access is by car: from Powell River, drive south about 17 minutes, turn right onto Donkersly Road, continue to the bottom, and park near the beach access point. Rocks on the bottom are a key hazard, and there is no dedicated rescue service documented for on-water wind sports, so conditions and safety should be treated cautiously—especially given how infrequently the spot breaks.
- Breaks only a few days per year—often very uncrowded.
- Good wave quality when it works, with short rides.
- Mid-tide sandbar window and South/Southwest storm alignment are key.
- When it works, wave quality is reported as good.
- Provides both left and right sandbar waves.
- Access by car is straightforward and parking is available at the bottom of the access road.
- Very infrequent—reported to break only a few days per year.
- Rocky bottom/rocks are a known hazard.
- Spotting requires tight alignment of wind, swell, and tide; reliability is low.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Spot wind is described as frontal/connected to storm conditions.
- Reliability
- Rarely works; requires specific storm conditions from the South/Southwest.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Mixed — Sandy with rock.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Works from roughly 1.5–2 m and can build up to about 2.5 m+ in the right conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy area mixed with rocks at the end of a residential road.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Access described as straightforward to the bottom/parking area.
Through the year
Usually empty due to the rarity of conditions and local nature of the spot.
October to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
A rare sandbar surf spot that only breaks a few days per year; when it lines up, it can provide good, short rides with both left and right waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide (often cited as best), including rising and falling tide phases.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Requires onshore/side-onshore wind to generate rideable conditions, often resulting in choppy conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Reported to hold up to about 2.5 m or more during peak storm cycles.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Sometimes described as mushy during the relevant storm/sandbar setups.
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides reported; under 50 m commonly mentioned.
- Typical Ride Length
- 0–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides are reported; one source describes typical rides around ~50 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Hansons in the full forecast view.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-water rescue service documented for wind sports; emergency response relies on local services.
Rules of the spot
- Drive south from Powell River and turn right onto Donkersly Road; continue to the bottom and park.
- Check the tide—mid tide is generally best for the sandbar to work.
- For any rideable swell, wait for strong South or Southwest winds (the spot is tied to specific storm conditions).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Powell River
- Nearest Town
- Area C (Lois Lake/Saltery Bay)
- Nearest Airport
- Powell River Regional Airport (YPW)
- Parking
- Parking is available at the bottom of Donkersly Road near the beach access point.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via BC Ferries and limited regional bus service connecting to Powell River.
- Access
- From Powell River, drive south about 17 minutes, turn right onto Donkersly Road, continue to the bottom and park near the beach access point.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available in the broader Saltery Bay / Lois Lake area; motels are available in Powell River.
Off the water
Scenic park with lush forests, rocky shorelines, and views of Jervis Inlet.
A designated National Historic Site featuring early 20th-century company town architecture.
A roughly 180 km backcountry hiking trail passing through the mountains near Lois Lake.
Cold-water diving with exceptional conditions and the famous Bronze Mermaid statue.
Local favorites serving west coast cuisine in Powell River.
A unique area where standing dead timber rises from the reservoir, popular for canoeing.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Hansons?
The best overall months at Hansons are October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Hansons?
Hansons works with S, SW winds.
What skill level is Hansons suitable for?
Hansons suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.