It was a terrifying day to be a surfer at the Wedge, but that’s the way Wedge surfers like it. Photo: YouTube//Screenshot
The Wedge is an iconic spot in the surfing world. It’s a wild place when it’s big — heavy and shallow and extraordinarily dangerous. As with most things in surfing, though the risk vs. reward ratio is well worth it for those who hazard a paddle out. And on July 17, Newport’s weirdest wave was well and truly big.
“Witness the mind-blowing power of massive waves, daring feats of epic surfing, bodyboarding, and pure carnage from unreal wipeouts at one of the heaviest shorebreaks in the world,” wrote Brent Weldon, a guy who routinely films the Wedge, on YouTube. “No music, no voiceover – just the authentic, raw audio of the ocean’s fury, real surfers, and The Wedge doing what it does best.”
The half-hour video you see here has all the hits: surfers getting slammed. Skimboarders doing what they do best, in the best place to do it. Incredible makes and incredible wipeouts.
“This video is packed with uncut, high-energy wave action that will leave you speechless,” Weldon continued. “Shot on-location during an absolutely heavy swell at The Wedge in Newport Beach, CA.”
