When can you surf the Wedge?

When can you surf the Wedge?

If you want to see how the surf is before heading down to the end of the peninsula, check the Wedge cam to see if the big waves are rolling in. The best times of year to catch higher surf at The Wedge Newport Beach are during the summer and the fall seasons. If you come between May 1 and Oct.

How big are the waves at the Wedge?

30 feet
During a south or south/southwest swell of the right size and aligned in the swell window, the Wedge can produce huge waves up to 30 feet (9.1 m) high.

Do people surf the Wedge?

If you’re in the Newport Beach, California area, you might be thinking of surfing The Wedge. This surf spot is known for having the most challenging waves in Southern California and probably the entire West Coast. This phenomenon creates heavy waves with thick lips, making them a challenge all in their own right.

How deep is the wedge Newport Beach?

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.

Has anyone died surfing 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.

Have people died surfing the wedge?

The explosive Wedge surf break in Newport Beach has left generations of daredevils with broken bones and concussions. On Friday, with waves topping 20 feet, it killed a man — a rare death at a place that would seem to invite it.

Have people died surfing the Wedge?

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.

How do you survive a Wedge?

Five tips for surviving Newport’s mutant wave, with local charger Bobby Okvist

1. Don’t go right.
2. Stay away from the jetty.
3. Be aware of other people.
4. Hold on as long as possible if you decide to pack a closeout.
5. Be respectful to the locals, especially the bodysurfers and bodyboarders.

What to do at the wedge in Newport Beach?

The Wedge Newport Beach is also a hot spot for locals to catch the sunset and watch that beautiful orange orb melt into the Pacific Ocean. 1916: Army Corps of Engineers starts to build a west jetty to protect Newport Harbor from storms and make the harbor entrance safer.

When was the wedge banned for body surfing?

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.

How big are the waves at the wedge?

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.

Where to see the best waves in Newport Beach?

The Wedge Newport Beach. The Wedge Newport Beach is a hot spot for powerful and awesome surf. An area known for its shore-breaking waves, the Wedge is more a place to admire than to engage. Either way, this spot with the biggest swell in Southern California is a must see when you visit Newport Beach.