photographers get hit by a wave<\/a>, and I posted a video of it on Instagram this morning.<\/p>\nI was looking for photographs that really captured what is unique to The Wedge. You see a guy being thrown 20 feet above the air. Or, you see a huge flare of water sent up 60 feet into the air\u2014that is a classic Wedge photo.<\/p>\n
The Wedge is a really special wave. The wave breaks and then bounces off of the jetty, and when it pushes back out to sea it will sometimes hit an incoming wave and send the water up like a massive A-Frame. It\u2019s extremely violent and heavy, and it is not easy for anyone to ride. The power of The Wedge isn\u2019t something you see at many other surf breaks.<\/p>\nWater rushing out to sea collides with an incoming wave, forming The Wedge (above). A surfer celebrates after a successful ride. (Photo: DingoSaidSo.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYou can go to other surf spots and see consistent, beautiful waves. You can see people have great rides on those waves\u2014they will do aerials, kick outs, get barrels over and over. That\u2019s not The Wedge. What I love about The Wedge is that every wave is different, so every surfer\u2019s takeoff and ride is varied. Because the wave is so tricky and inconsistent, the carnage you see in the water is next-level. And it happens so close to shore that everyone can see it.<\/p>\n
At The Wedge you see surfers, bodyboarders, body surfers, and skimboarders. There\u2019s always some tension between the surfers and the bodyboarders, but everyone finds a way to get along. There\u2019s definitely a pecking order. There are Wedge regulars who are there every day, big waves or small, year after year. These riders are on top. There are also old-timers who have been riding The Wedge for 20 or 30 years. These two groups are at the top of the lineup. For the most part, everyone respects the pecking order. Because at The Wedge, if you don\u2019t respect the wave and understand the pecking order, you might get hurt.<\/p>\nEven experienced surfers sometimes struggle at The Wedge (above). Newport Beach lifeguards make a save in the water. <\/span> (Photo: DingoSaidSo.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThat said, people at The Wedge look out for each other. People can get hurt there\u2014we\u2019ve seen broken arms, legs, a broken back, and other bad accidents. When you look at who is first to the rescue, it\u2019s usually the surfers and the bodyboarders who will help until the lifeguards get there.<\/p>\n
I live three blocks from The Wedge, and start most of my days by walking down there to look at the waves. I\u2019m a corporate geek by day, working for a big company, and I do the photography in my spare time. Nobody at my company knows that I spend as much time down at The Wedge as I do.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t sell my photographs. I\u2019m not in this to make money. I give my photographs to the surfers and to the kids when I get good ones. I give them my video clips for free. It\u2019s more fun that way.<\/p>\n
As told to Frederick Dreier. This interview was edited for space and clarity.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n