August 26th, 2006VIDEO – Bodyboard Surf – The Wedge Newport – CRAZY!
The Wedge is not a wave — it’s a 20-foot-plus meat grinder dreamed up by the devil himself. It heaves, bends and pulverizes in ways that good little waves aren’t supposed to act. The first time you swim or paddle out on a solid day, a typical thought might be, “Dang, is my chiropractor covered in my medical plan?”
The Wedge is a combination of two waves that merge together, thrusting into a titanic slingshot that breaks with enough pounds per square inch to send Stone Cold Steve Austin to the mat. It takes a south swell only, refracting the swell energy off the jetty and creating a sideways wave that slings across the beach and mates with the next wave in the set. The result is what locals fittingly call a “humping effect,” where the set waves jack, expand and release in unimaginable ways.
The key to a good Wedge wave is the right swell interval. If the interval is just right, the side wave will hit the main swell at the perfect moment, causing it to “wedge.” Too short or too long an interval and the side wave will miss hitting the main peak. It’s not uncommon to see skimboarders, spongers and bodysurfers catching the side wave before it collides, resulting in ozone-depleting aerials, monstrous tubes and insane wipeouts.
Although the Wedge is perhaps the best-known bodysurfing spot in the world, in recent years there’s been an influx of stand-up surfers. What was once a novelty for guys like Danny Kwock back in the ’80s is now serious business for pros like Strider Wasilewski, the Hobgood twins and a long list of other challengers. Part of the reason for the influx of hard goods is that the media — both surf and mainstream — have been persistent in recording all the action. Every summer, there’s guaranteed to be a center spread of some hapless fool getting launched or a front-page shot on the Los Angeles Times of the Wedge at its nastiest. Despite the increased presence of fiberglass and foam, an alternative wave is best suited to an alternative approach, which is why bodysurfers still rule the place. In fact, they literally rule the place — thanks to a serious lobbying effort by the local skull-cap crew, throughout the summer, no boards of any kind are allowed in the water except in the early morning and late evening. So if you’re feeling suicidal, or just want to watch stand-up surfers and bodyboarders play demolition derby at one of the most breathtaking natural spectacles in Southern California, it’s best to show up in the morning or late afternoon.
Best tide: deadly at all tides
Best swell direction: S, SW
Best size: 6 to 20 feet
Best wind: E, NE
Perfect-o-meter: 9 (1=Lake Erie; 10=Jeffreys Bay)
Bottom: sand
Ability level: advanced to psychotic
Bring your: camera and beach chair; or swim fins, Speedos and insurance card
Best season summer
Access: free street parking, but if it’s pumping, plan to walk
Crowd factor: moderate
Local vibe: quietly thuggish
Bicep burn: 2 (1=knee-high Waikiki; 10=triple-overhead Ocean Beach)
Poo patrol: 10, if you include your own (1=clean; 10=turds in the lineup)
Shark danger: 1 (1=none; 10=bring an iron cage)
Video is from YouTube
Text and photo is from the SurfLine website
VIDEO - Bodyboard Surf - The Wedge Newport - CRAZY! [4:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2259)
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December 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Man, that is some pretty serious and impressive stuff! I’m a rookie so it’s kind of hard to fathom riding a wave like that. Some friends and I were in Panama in August and saw what appeared to be similar features. Where would you recommend to go in Central America?
April 6th, 2009 at 2:51 am
the wedge is best at 20 ft plus,the bigger it gets,the better it is,the 1968 swell was the biggest and best shape ive ever seen it,nobody was out and it was possibly 40 feet at the face and every wave was almost perfect,the next best was the 1983 swell(a couple 30-35 ft faces rolled in which were ridden by terry wade and yours truly),the only other swell that ive seen that compares with these 2 mentioned was somewhere around 1964-1965,as i remember being out(i was 14 or 15yrs old),some of these waves were also in the 30 ft range(maybe larger),ive also bodysurfed pipline 2nd reef as big as it gets and would say the wedge is a much nastier wave at 30ft,but the wedge can get bigger than 30 ft and still be rideable,where as 2nd reef pipe maxizes out around at 30(the faces),2 different beautiful great waves-the best on the planet————————-jeff daly
April 29th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Jeff, remember 1975? Incredible Frieght Trains on every set!!! Plus, the power due to at least 20 seconds period and 40′+ size, straight-up and down, circular tubes. I have not seen it break with such intensity in 34 years. Close, but not quite. See you down there, OK? PS: I have filn of Jeff on 30 feet plus waves. Great Wedge Bodysurfer. Terry Wade
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:28 pm
hi terry,hope everything is real good with you,i think i might have my dates wrong,the biggest swell i do remember was around 40ft(faces)this could have been in 1975,i had a leg injurie and it was a good excuse not to go out(i dont remember anyone being out),but i maybe wrong,-top to bottom perfect tubes—-TOO BIG,it would have been very diffucult to get into these—nice hearing from terry,take good{ care——–can contact me at (wedgejeff@yahoo.com)——–take care
July 6th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Way to go Jeff, can’t wait to see you out there again..Jeff D>>>One of the best bodysurfers..