Oregon Coast's 'Master of the Dune' Shows Cutting-Edge Sandboard Art in Florence

Published 01/21/25 at 6:35 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Florence, Oregon) - The man known as Dr. Dune on the central Oregon coast is stepping out from behind the curtains a bit.

Lon Beale is the visionary behind Sand Master Park, and a central Oregon coast icon. He's not really in the shadows. Beale is known for creating the world’s first sandboarding park (located at 4981 Highway 101 in Florence). He played a pivotal role in establishing global competitive sandboarding and co-founded its governing body, Dune Riders International. His coaching has shaped world champions, and he has hosted ESPN and FOX Sports in Florence for international sandboarding competitions and exhibitions.

On top of all that, Beale has crafted one of the top-selling sandboards worldwide and was instrumental in designating Florence as The Sandboarding Capital of the World. During January and February, his handcrafted sandboards will be showcased as the featured art exhibit at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce’s visitor center and art gallery at 290 Highway 101 in Florence.

“Oh. My. Goodness! People have no idea how beautiful a sandboard can be,” said Bettina Hannigan, the Chamber president/CEO. “You’ve got to see them to believe it. So colorful, so graphic, so shiny, so…breathtaking.”

Beale, who also crafts guitars with stunning graphics, has operated a graphic screen printing/silk screening shop, Xwest Custom Apparel, in southern California for over 40 years. He moved to Florence in 2000 with his wife, Robin, to start Sand Master Park. His background includes teaching graphic design in high schools and prisons, covering subjects like photography, airbrushing, screen printing, Photoshop, and design principles - helping to launch numerous careers.

Combining his passions for graphic arts and sandboarding, Beale founded Venomous Sandboards (VenomousBoards.com). He also owns Monarch Sandboards, and together with his team, produces boards and sand sleds under both brands in Florence.

Beale said a variety of different boards – along with two sand sleds – will be on display. They all boast his artwork, either digitally or handpainted. There are psychedelic constructs to animal prints.

It's a whole new edgy layer to the art world not everyone is aware of (although those who've known standouts like Morrow Snowboards and Scott Clum's work there in the '90s will get it).

“My hope is that people will become familiar with sandboarding and that we might educate those familiar with the sport that boards can be customized as functional art they can both ride and proudly display in their homes, similar to how a guitarist might display a favorite guitar,” Beale said. “A custom board becomes very personal to its owner.”

Beale said his Xwest Custom Apparel shop helped fund his and Robin’s dream of opening the world’s first sandboarding park.

Beale said he and his wife have sandboarded all over the globe but still find this part of the central Oregon coast the most amenable to riding.

“Plus, there is plenty of it, easily accessed; and Florence has been so supportive of our efforts since day one. Florence has it all and was already a top tourism destination. The great sand was just icing on the cake,” Beale said.

Beale said the development of sand sleds and sandboards made specifically for wet sand have been huge game changers for them and the sport in general.

“Sand sleds aren’t so intimidating to those who aren’t comfortable standing up. They take no skill, just sit down and ride. Wet boards (sandboards for wet sand) have allowed us to offer sandboarding year-round regardless of the sand conditions. These have really set us apart from other destinations and our competitors.”

The Chamber’s visitor center and gallery is at 290 Highway 101 in Florence. Winter hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The phone number is 541-997-3128. For more information about volunteering with the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, visit FlorenceChamber.com or contact visitor center manager Lisa Brandow at vcmanager@FlorenceChamber.com.

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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