The Wedge is a world-famous surfing and bodysurfing spot located at the extreme south end of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California. During a south swell of a particular size and direction, the Wedge can produce huge waves as spectacular and intimidating as any inHawaii, Tahiti, or Australia.
The waves are a by-product of improvements to the groin (rock jetty) on the north side of the Newport Harbor entrance undertaken during the 1930s.[1] When conditions are just right and the waves approach the shore at the proper angle (south swells), an approaching wave will reflect off the groin creating a second wave. The reflected wave meets up with the following wave of the set and forms a peak. Because of this effect, waves at the wedge are often several feet larger than waves at other south facing beaches in Newport on any given day.
The Wedge only breaks big when intense Southern Hemisphere storms or large Tropical Depressions, and Hurricanes send their energy in the proper SSW direction, primarily during the summer & fall months.
Dangerous, cautious respect
Between Balboa Pier and the Wedge waves are referred to as a shore or beach break. When the crest of the wave comes crashing down, regardless of its size, it lands in water no more than 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) deep, and it will sometimes land directly on to the sand. This condition causes uninformed and inexperienced swimmers to be at extreme risk of a spinal cord injury. If a person is to "go over the falls," (fall with the water in the crest of the wave), they will commonly strike their head on the sand below the shallow water. Shore break waves are much thicker and stronger for their size than waves that break farther out. Their thickness increases the force in which they strike the ground. Lower Newport sees many spinal cord injury victims every summer who often end up as quadriplegicss.
The conditions at the Wedge are only for a swimmer in peak physical condition, with ample amounts of ocean experience and proper equipment.
