The Wedge Monday April 13th 2009

I know this is a mountain biking site but after my ride on Monday I went on a beach cruiser ride to the Newport Beach Wedge and it was pumping.
It was amazing, exciting and exhilarating to see how agile and athletic the youngsters are who ride these waves on Skim boards, Boogey boards and body surfing. The spray from some of the waves wet the folks sitting high up on the beach.

 

Thanks, any other pictures?

 

not bad...look up some of the older photos of the wedge and you'll be amazed at some of the swells that came in. I used to ride at the wedge until I straight 90'd on a wave.

 

Still trying to upload from an iPhone.

 

Tough to beat that one.
Yesterday was quite small actually but every now and then it picked up and was spectacular.

 

yep- the dirty old wedge. keep an ear out for (big) south swells coming. it goes off a few times each year. one of the best shows around.

 

We used to ride the CDM side

"foamers" on belly boards. What a BLAST

<img src=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UgotzMRJ5fo/Rh8BXupbZWI/AAAAAAAAAWI/0aqchw7eieI/s400/732390357403_0_BG.jpg>

 

I've seen The Wedge with ridiculously large swells over the years. Still blows me away that people try to ride the closeouts with sand beneath them, waiting to body slam your ass. The place has produced it's fair share of paraplegics.
I've always been too chicken-shit to jump in when it's breaking but love watching the nutties go off.

 

Here you go...

 

I refuse to get in at the Wedge even on a 6 foot day. I know I'd kill myself in the process.

 

Thank god i'm afraid of water.
The closest thing i'll do to a real wave is FlowRider.
That thing is fun.
Had i not had bad experiences with oceans and waves i'm sure i would consider going to the wedge, but for now, i'll enjoy the pictures.

 

Maybe it has changed but I recall, from back in the late 70"s early 80's, a lot of the guys I watched and rode with out there were old farts, about where I am at now.

But yeah, even if if someone is not into the water sports, watching the riders when The Wedge goes off is fun to watch.

Nice photos:beer:

 

I still know 3 generations of wedge crew guys and almost all of them still go out, even guys in there 50s and 60s. I gave that place up years ago after I got pitched from the backwash and watched the water recede under me and I hit the sand with just enough time to get slammed by the next wave. I wasn't hurt, but it scared me enough to keep me out of the water on big days. I'll just watch, thank you.

 

Joe Truth - Nice pic! Not quite the Wedge, but an impressive day, regardless. I've never surfed that spot, but I've been tempted a few times to go dodge the yachts for a crack at that left.

BFlo - Flowrider? Really? That thing hurts way more people than most real waves ever will. I've heard of many longtime surfers who've been years without injuries....until they got into the Flowrider!

For some great pics of thick lips at the Wedge last Monday, check the Daily Bread blog. Here's a sample (click photo for big scary version):

 

When I first arrived in the US i thought that I was up to body surfing the Wedge. I was suitably humbled and left with my tail tucked in my speedo.
Now I dont even wear a Speedo.

 

Awesome pic's

 

Cool pics! I used to skim the wedge back in the day. It's F-ing sketchy especially if you don't get the sider. You end up right where it wedges and you can't get under the wave. Pure violence. "When da wave be here, don't be there or you're gonna get drilled."

 

I use to ride the wedge, I honestly preferred when it got a little bigger (5-6 foot range). In smaller conditions it seemed like there was no water below you especially during low tide. I would love when I would take people for first time there and then the reaction of dropping into a wave that little to no water below you. I have been there when its HUGE (20+ feet) and it a sight.


I would never think to try and surf that wave though.

 

During the summer I would go skim boarding often. but at M street. Wedge itself will get me killed. Those guys are killer. I can get on my board and pump out to a wave but i can never catch a wave back once i get out there. After 5 years of practice i still haven't got it. sux for me.