After days of chasing this historic south swell up and down the Southern California coast, everything led to this. The Wedge was my first stop of the day — and it did not disappoint.
Massive waves, heavy wipeouts, impossible drops, and a beach full of spectators watching one of Southern California’s most unpredictable surf breaks come alive. The Wedge is famous for turning powerful south swells into a chaotic mix of barrels, closeouts, and absolute carnage thanks to the wave refraction off Newport Harbor’s jetty. On days like this, every wave feels like an event.
I arrived at sunrise knowing this could be the biggest day of the swell. What followed was a nonstop spectacle of surfers charging waves that most people wouldn’t even consider paddling into. This edit is the culmination of the entire swell run. Enjoy!
Find more from Brad Jacobson on his YouTube channel.
