Wedge Overhead! – 06/07/13

The Wedge at its Finest – Newport Beach, CA – 06/07/13

By: B Patrick

 

For generations, people have been coming to “The Wedge” in Newport Beach from all over to see the pure and natural POWER Mother Nature truly has to offer. They battle the traffic on the freeways and city streets, they circle for what seems to be hours sometimes on a hot day – and finally find a place to park.

They go through all of this – to get a maybe once in a lifetime opportunity – Up Close – FREE – Front Row Seat – for a look at the unique and massive waves that pound the shore when the right swell direction, wind and tide factors all come together at “The Wedge”.

You can feel the ocean spray on your face, you can taste the salty water on your lips and you can feel the ground shake a bit when a good set wave hits the shallow sand bottom. It’s an almost overwhelming experience for the first-timer that has never experienced the Ocean when she reminds you of her strength and beauty – and it’s a moment you probably will never forget. I know I have quite a few images I can recall of the Wedge on 3 or 4 pole days… (That’s an old school reference for us that remember when there used to be poles on the jetty and it was the buzz all over town – “Wedge is breaking at 3rd pole”).

I have been lucky enough to grow up in and around Newport Beach for over 35 years. Going through school, starting my businesses, surfing, body surfing, skimboarding and living the “beach life” – I have had my fair share of barrel time at the wedge myself.
But nothing like we have been blessed with the last few days. NO….. This dance-floor is left for a handful of Pro’s, long time Wedge Crew Locals and BIG Wave Junkies from all over the world.

They come to show us mere mortals that these waves are seriously NO JOKE!!! Some surf these huge waves that can get up to 15′ to 20′ high with no leashes and their boards go flying through the air and get slammed onto the sand when they either pull out through the back and ditch their board or……. “Wipe Out”…..

Some ride body boards or use hand guns and some just free ride – straight up – body surf it with some REALLY good fins!!! And the crowd roars and ahh’s when someone gets a good ride or gets the spin cycle!!!!

Standing alone side the shoreline with the other 100’s of tourists, photographers and “industry folks” and locals that worked their way down to The Wedge at the right time on Friday evening 06/07/2013 when the incoming tide gave the swell a little extra push – we were all treated to that AMAZING – Jaw Dropping “show of a lifetime” where a few brave souls risked their lives to ride one of the fastest and most incredible to ride and watch waves in the world. You ask yourself – “who is having more fun – You or them??” I can tell you from experience that it all depends on the day!

The southern swell started to pick up on Thursday night 06/06/2013 and by Friday 06/07/2013 – all the pieces of the puzzle have come together and The Wedge is doing its thing and will be for the next couple of days – so go down and experience it for yourself (bring a camera – you will not be disappointed).

You can check out The Wedge and over a thousand other waves around the world LIVE online at www.surfline.com and see some great pictures and videos at www.caughtyouripping.com.

More about “The Wedge”:
The Wedge is located at the very end of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, Ca at lifeguard tower W where a large jetty was constructed to protect the Newport Harbor and also create a safe passageway for watercraft and boats of all sizes. To learn more – look up “history of The Wedge in Newport Beach” online. There really are some really great stories about the history of The Wedge and the Newport Harbor Entrance Jetty’s and more.

 

 

Originally posted 2013-06-09 20:07:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter