History of the Wedge
Cover image: ©Jenna Anderson on Unsplash
The Wedge is one of the most unique surf breaks in the world. Located in Newport Beach, California, it’s a thrill seeker magnet and staple to the evolution of Southern California surf culture. Professional surfers, bodyboarders, and skimboarders travel from far and wide to try and tame this crazy, unpredictable wave that can reach heights of 30 ft. It’s not uncommon to see bodies launched high in the air, then swallowed by a cavern of chaotic foam. Here is the history of how the Wedge came to be.
The Beginning
Pre-wedge, in the early 20th century, the Newport Harbor was a bustling hotspot for surfers. Big swells made for excellent waves, however, on these days, the harbor was a dangerous arena for boats and swimmers. In one instance, a young child died when his boat capsized. The accident prompted community action to make the harbor a safer place, and in 1936, the Army Corps of Engineers built a 2,000 ft long jetty to protect the harbor.
The newly constructed jetty completely changed the shape of the break. It forced one wave to crash into a second wave, combining the force of these two waves into one crazy ride. The spot earned the nickname, "the hook" from local bodyboarders.
Rise to Popularity
In the mid-1950s, beach parties were popular at the surf spot. Among teenagers, it was known as “102 Beach,” named after the cheap beer brand, “Brew 102.” The blooming surf culture and party scene gained the Wedge a reputation as a hangout hot spot and attracted the attention of local musicians like Dick Dale.
In the 1960s, bodyboarders changed the name from “the Hook” to “the Wedge,” and in 1964, the wave made its appearance in Bruce Brown’s famous surf film, The Endless Summer.
The Wedge remained notorious for its dangerous and challenging waves. In 1993 the Wedge Preservation Society passed legislation called the Blackball Flag that banned board riding from the hours of 10 am – 5 pm between the months of May and October. During these times only bodyboarders are allowed to surf the wave.
In 2016, the award-winning documentary, "Dirty Old Wedge," came out. It goes back to the 70s and follows some of the original body surfing crew and the evolution of speedo surf culture at the wedge.
Today
If you are attempting to surf the Wedge, make sure you are comfortable and very experienced in the water. The waves range from 15 to 30 ft and can change in a matter of seconds. Never go right and stay away from the jetty. The biggest time of year for the Wedge is in the summer and fall months. This is when you see the Blackball Flag raised between 10 am – 5 pm. Take this time to observe the wave and watch how it behaves to be best prepared when you decide to charge. The best swells are from the Southwest to Southeast directions, a Northeast to East wind, and low to medium tide.
Check out Jamie charging massive waves at the Wedge
Fun Fact
Remember the WahPOW, Surfer dude that took the internet by storm? His famous interview was filmed at the Wedge
Did reading about the Wedge inspire you to hit the waves? Get surf coaching advice from the Wedge master himself, Jamie O’Brien on the Jamie O’Brien Surf App.
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