The Wedge is a very unique wave and offers a very unique experience for those brave enough to paddle out. On a small morning the Wedge can offer decently calm waves, but as usual, the wave we’ve grown accustomed to seeing at Newport Beach almost always overcomes its morning predecessors with violent flair. Were talking 30 foot beach breaks here, like someone taking you up three flights of stairs and then dropping you onto sand. Its dangerous…but it sure is fun. Basically what happens at the Wedge is that the backwash is so strong that it can create new waves that come in at you sideways, often taking many by surprise. Not only that but the Wedge randomly closes out, like the one time the wedge offers you an actual clean barrel (which totally happens) it will break your heart and close out…hard. For the most part, those who do make the venture do so on a bodyboard and over the years we’ve witnessed some explosive bodyboarding from the Wedge. However, the Wedge may be the only place where surfing is considered to be more reckless than bodyboarding. Both of these points can be represented in the video below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh8CHHxghw8
Then of course there is the air that people can get at the Wedge…honestly it’s ridiculous. For the most part I don’t even think those who get this much air are looking to do so, it just kinda comes as a surprise like most things do for the Mutant wave. The backwash can act like a propulsion system, colliding with an incoming wave and sending a surge of power upwards connecting with any unsuspecting victim.
And finally there are the skin boarders, who should definitely be featured on here as they an integral part of the wedge experience. This is the next level for skin boarders, this isn’t your average kid who skin boards because he can’t surf, these guys know how to tear it up and even get barreled.
If you happen to be in the area of Newport Beach, make sure to stop by and watch some people get destroyed, because its not “if” its “when” at California’s Mutant wave.