Has anyone died at the Wedge?
The Wedge has a harsh history of devastation. In 2009, a man died while bodysurfing big waves. In 2014, longtime Wedge rider Gene Peterson died after suffering massive injuries at the Wedge. In 2010, a pro tennis player broke his neck and was paralyzed.
How big do the waves get at the Wedge?
30 feet
The Wedge is the intersection of the beach and of the man-made jetty that forms the breakwater on the western side of Newport harbor entrance. When a south or south/southwest swell is running of the right size and direction, the Wedge can produce huge waves up to 30 feet (9.1 m) high.
How big are the waves at the Wedge in Newport Beach?
30-feet
Because of the potential for 30-feet waves, you may see more bodyboarding or bodysurfing in action here than surfing. In fact, because The Wedge surfing has the potential for such large waves, you may find some of the most skilled bodysurfers in all of Newport Beach at the Wedge.
Why is the Wedge called the Wedge?
Its name says it all. This notorious wedgy surf spot mixes the main characteristics of a classic beach break, an unpredictable point break, and a pounding shore break. The Wedge is the natural result of a 2,000-foot granite boulder jetty built by the Army Corps of Engineers in the mid-1930s.
How deep is the water at the Wedge?
The result is a unique “wedge” of water that jacks up to almost twice the size of a normal breaker. In addition, the swell coming into the Wedge moves abruptly from 30-foot-deep waters 200 yards offshore to 3-foot-deep shallows.
How do you survive a wedge?
Five tips for surviving Newport’s mutant wave, with local charger Bobby Okvist
- Don’t go right.
- Stay away from the jetty.
- Be aware of other people.
- Hold on as long as possible if you decide to pack a closeout.
- Be respectful to the locals, especially the bodysurfers and bodyboarders.
How does the wedge get so big?
The giant waves are a result of a 2,000-foot jetty that was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s. The purpose for its construction was to protect the Newport Harbor. The jetty forces one wave to crash back into another wave, which ultimately combines the forces of two waves into one.
Is the Newport wedge open?
The Newport and Balboa Piers are open from 5 a.m. until midnight. Restaurants are located on both piers and their hours may vary. Public restroom facilities are available at the base of both piers.
How does the Wedge work surf?
(3) Two waves collide: The refraction wave collides with a second incoming wave. This creates a wave, or wedge. This creates a wave much larger than either of the two waves. Dropping in straight off the peak of the Wedge is the most difficult entry for all surfers.
How does the Newport Wedge form?
(1) The jetty: In the 1930s the Army Corps of Engineers made improvements to the rock jetty at the west side of Newport Harbor. Toss in the steep shore break and shallow water and you have a perfect recipe for some monster waves. This creates a wave, or wedge.
How shallow is the Wedge?
In addition, the swell coming into the Wedge moves abruptly from 30-foot-deep waters 200 yards offshore to 3-foot-deep shallows. As waves move up this steep underwater bank, they heave and break very quickly, forming the enormous hollow “barrels” or “tubes” that surfers covet most.
Is the Wedge man made?
The Wedge is actually a man-made phenomenon, created by two waves coming together. The first wave reflects off the west jetty of the Newport Harbor channel and crosses the path of the one following it. “It’s not a soft wave,” said Fred Simpson, 75, a member of a hardened group of bodysurfers called the Wedge Crew.
Are there big waves at the wedge in Newport Beach?
In fact, because The Wedge surfing has the potential for such large waves, you may find some of the most skilled bodysurfers in all of Newport Beach at the Wedge. But you have more than the rolling sets to worry about if you get into the water.
When was the wedge at Newport Beach banned?
1964: The Wedge Newport Beach is featured in the cult classic film “Endless Summer”. 1982: Fred Simpson creates the Viper fin to help body surfers catch bigger waves at the Wedge. 1993: Wedge Preservation Society persuades City Council to implement “Blackball” banning boards from 10am to 5pm May 1 – Oct. 31.
When did the Navy start using bodysurfing fins?
The U.S. Navy used them for a stint, and in 1971, when bodyboarding gained some serious traction, they became the world’s best-selling fins, and they’ve held onto that title ever since. All those years and all those people can’t be wrong, can they?
What to do in Newport Beach when there is no surf?
If the surf isn’t pumping when you’re there, you can always get an up-close look at some of the beautiful oceanfront homes right on the sand, or you can sit at the jetty and watch the boats come in and out of the harbor.
