The Truth About Surfing the Wedge

Welcome to the dirty ol Wedge in Newport Beach, one of the craziest surf sports anywhere. Sadly, many people have been hurt, paralyzed and even killed attempting to ride this wave.
Bruce Brow described the Wedge perfectly in his classic film "The Endless Summer" as a place "where you can catch a wave you didn't even want".
The waves here can get well over 20ft and form some amazing barrels. Yes, the Wedge get's super crowded but if you can find that needle in the haystack you'll be rewarded with a lifelong memory.

Narrated by Brad Jacobson.
Music: Duffmusiq

[AskDunceCapDerek]

Awesome!! Loved the footage, info, and jazz— Excellent, Brad!! CheeWhoo!!

[jombx]

A lot of Endless Summer inspiration here. I love it.

[rogeeeferrari]

Grew up surfing there in the late 60's and it was never crowded, of course nobody would ever take a board out back then. There was no such thing as a boogie board, and a short board was 7 foot long. The wedge was so fun, great memories...

[ahmedkunbargi]

we need more of these endless summer vibe videos. great job, Brad. You even sound like Bruce Brown.

[SkiBroTheHeBro]

I’m 65 now. Back in my Days we only body served with the famous Duck Fins. From age 14-18. I was a surfer back then had tri fin Stick. Oh yeah they just came out like early 70s with tri fin surf boards. Never saw anyone try to surf the Wedge back then. They may have but I never saw it. Younger surfers are much better these days. Great video nice reminisce. Brings laughter and joy to my heart.

[Moondoggy]

When I was working on the peninsula people would ask if the wedge was pumping, I told them that there always to ways to tell.
1) If there is no parking the wedge is pumping.
2) If you cannot hear it, it is not.

[tariqbouzayane]

“people have been even killed riding this wave”
*jazz music continues*

[totalt]

I am sure much of my knee pain I owe to an adolescence spent thinking I was immortal, at The Wedge.

[longrider]

Rode the Wedge back in 84 on a boogie board. Only did it three times, that was enough for me. Those folks are nuts. And yes I love the movie "Endless Summer" Might watch it since its cold and snowy out where I live right now.

[MichaelConferPhoto]

Love the narration, conversational, humorous, reminded me of Beach Boys radio promos I have heard from the early sixties. Very Bruce Brown esque with the longer surf clips and the music. Thanks.

[spookyfizz]

Brad read this. I moved from Orange County in 2013. Grew up at Newport Beach it’s my favorite place on earth. Now I’m priced out of living there. Cant move back. Need another 600k. Brad thank you for your content. It brings a tear to my eye, it pulls at my heart.. It really does. You understand what I’m talking about. Thank you. 🙏

[martinacorry]

You have to be very good and super experienced to contemplate the huge drop and complete your turn or if you straighten out. Willing to sacrifice your board too. Absolute perfect timing and lightening reactions. I have seen perfect rides on film -- probably 1 for 100 by the best. Not a place to learn ! I f i made it 2 times i would be happy and retire my board. Boogie board fun too with better chances but one still has to have top skill to avoid being pile driven or back smashed on the sand. Dare devils and as touch crazy fits the bill !

[rabbisnail]

Never surfed a minute in my life but I’m in love with this sport.

[tomiday]

Memories of the wedge late 60's through early 1970's: Everyone bodysurfed. Duck Feet or Churchills. Takeoff on the side wave and then fly across the peak. Speeding so fast it would rip your fins off and pull down your pants. I learned to tie the fins off to my ankles with boot laces. Left arm straight out in front plaining on the bare hand, right arm back with right hand rudder. Holding on until the last possible moment and then a left shoulder dip and successfully out the back, sweet! Or spectacularly over the falls and coming up with sand in places you didn't know were places. Gawd it was fun! And then the one day they brought down the kid in the wheel chair on his one year anniversary. Sobering.

[Michael-hq]

I stared body surfing the Wedge back in 1963 and the first thing one learned is when to bail out before you get to the shallows. Sometimes as your powering down a wave and your getting to the end the back wash would flip you right over onto about two feet of ocean and then the wave would slam down right on you. Two things I learned was, don't fight the foam and be able to hold your breath. The Wedge is a memory that I've held all my life and I'm glad I did it. The Wedge is Busting.

[docwill]

Bruce Brown 2.0. Good job; a new fav go-to...

[richarddyson]

Love that cool jazz to accompany an excellent narrative and great footage!

[AndieZU]

Although I sure would love to jump on in, I think Ill stand on the shore and TRY to keep my pie hole shut. Wont be easy for this buck wild lion in a china shop. Naturally, eh? I gotta gut feeling you guys and gals are hanging 100 and loving it. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness. We are here to GO GO GO GO GO !

[TheBigbrizzle]

Ah man no mention of catching the side wave into the peak! Need to do a part 2 just on that

[chrisfourment]

You mentioned the insider no one can catch, except the real boogies. That inside one the those days is super fun