The Wedge is Southern California’s most notorious wave—a mutant triangle of water capable of tossing human bodies sky high, or driving them straight into the sand. Located at the very end of the Balboa Peninsula, The Wedge is as much a spectacle as it is a surf spot. When a long-period south swell lines up just right, the backwash from the jetty rebounds into oncoming waves and forms a heaving, sideways A-frame that can reach heights of 20+ feet.
🏄 The Break
The Wedge isn’t a traditional wave—it’s a wedge-shaped shorebreak created by wave reflection off the rock jetty. The rebounding energy creates unpredictable double ups with thick lips, steep drops, and almost no shoulder.
- Wave Type: Shorebreak
- Bottom: Sand (steep and shallow)
- Wave Shape: Explosive, vertical, and unpredictable
- Best for: Bodyboarding, bodysurfing, and very experienced surfers
- Lefts: The signature Wedge left—steep, hollow, and often unmakeable
- Rights: Rare and often close out directly into the jetty
📅 Season and Conditions
- Season: The Wedge only comes alive during late spring through early fall, especially when long-period south and southwest swells hit
- Tide: Best on a low to mid tide
- Wind: Calm or offshore mornings are ideal; wind easily wrecks the surface
- Swell Direction: Needs a strong S or SW swell — Longer period is better. S tends to be more makeable.
🤙 Crowd Dynamics
The Wedge is as competitive as it is dangerous. It draws a mix of fearless bodyboarders, skimboarders, bodysurfers, and surfers — all vying for their shot at five seconds of glory in BEEFS TV's next video.
- Bodyboarders and and surfers dominate the peak
- Skimmers come at you sideways off the sider
- Aggressive but respectful crowd, especially among locals and OGs
- Spectators outnumber surfers on big days—expect cameras, drones, and cheers and terrible parking
- Anything that floats is mostly off limits all summer long. This compresses the surf-able hours to before 10am and after 5pm. Otherwise, it's bodysurfing only.
⚠️ Safety Notes
The Wedge is one of the most dangerous waves in California. It’s not a wave for casual surfers or unprepared thrill-seekers.
- Spinal injuries are common—the wave breaks in inches of water
- Expect violent wipeouts, massive hold-downs, and zero room for error
- Always check conditions and know your limits
📍 Summary
The Wedge is a freak of nature, a one-of-a-kind wave that mixes spectacle, danger, and performance into a single sandy launchpad. For the people in teh water, it’s a proving ground. For spectators, it’s a modern day gladiator arena. Whether you’re charging or just watching, The Wedge is California surf drama at its finest.