The Wedge makes the cut

Simon Brown

If you’re less than the best, stay away from The Wedge.

It’s something locals know and others recognize. The July 5 issue

of Sports Illustrated named The Wedge the toughest bodysurfing spot

in the United States as part of its profile on sports in California.

During its 50th anniversary celebration, the magazine has been

featuring all 50 states in the United States and focused on

California in its latest issue. The Wedge was included in the state’s

Who & Where section of 31 sports hot spots and was described as

“America’s toughest bodysurfing waves.”

There are those who relish the challenge -- like The Wedge Crew, a

group of about 30 men, who are among the most skilled bodysurfers in

the area. They come to the beach each day, seeking the thrill of the

waves and the company of their friends.

“It’s my medication,” said Lee Hernandez, 23, a member of The

Wedge Crew, who has been bodysurfing since he was 8. “I see all my

friends down here. It’s just an overall good time.”

But bodysurfers with anything less than top skills will not find

The Wedge to be a good time, according to the regulars.

“It’s definitely an experts-only spot,” said P.J. O’Brien, 23, who

has been a lifeguard at The Wedge for seven years. “Sometimes waves

get up to 25 feet. We have a lot of neck and back injuries.”

Brandon Hodding, 24, another seven-year veteran of The Wedge

lifeguard tower, also urged caution.

“If you’re not one of The Wedge Crew already, you can’t handle

it,” he said. “Being a good pool swimmer doesn’t mean you can handle

this. We’ve had Olympic swimmers who can’t handle it. You have to

know the ocean.”

The Wedge breeds unusually powerful and dangerous waves due to a

combination of natural and man-made causes.

“What we have is big south swells down by Baja,” O’Brien said.

“You’ll get a wave that’ll bounce off the jetty and it’ll jack the

wave up and make a huge A-frame. And since the water is shallow,

it’ll make for really fast, heavy barrels.”

For those who can handle it, The Wedge provides some of the

greatest thrills they have ever had in the water.

“The biggest rush is just dropping 20 feet,” said Jeff Mauck, 40,

a member of The Wedge Crew, who has been bodysurfing since 1982.

While the break is “hands down my favorite spot,” even Mauck must

be cautious at times.

“This definitely isn’t a spot to come out just because you think

it’s cool,” he said. “There are days when you don’t want to ride.

This place will break your back.”