LA/OC "The Wedge" 8/6 - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/02/2005 01:12:05 AM · #1

I wanted to know if anyone is interested in photographing the "Wedge" in Newport Beach this Saturday. I went this past Saturday and it was a lot of fun and I will be going again this Saturday.

From daybreak till 10:00am it is mostly bodyboarders and skimboarders in the water. At 10:00am the lifeguards black ball the bodyboarders and skimboarders and they only let bodysurfers in the water.

I will be getting there early! Probably at 6:30am. I am interested in photographing the bodyboarders and skimboarders NOT the bodysurfers.

One other thing, There has to be a South swell for the Wedge to break. It is possible that if there is no South swell the waves will be flat.

Here are a few photos from last Saturday.

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

08/02/2005 01:17:53 AM · #2

Looks like a blast.. I might actually be tempted to go down there.. but to be in the waves! Something tells me I'd have a lot of trouble waking up that early though.. by bodysurfers, do you mean surfers? Or only people without any boards that try to take the waves solely with their stomachs? The latter is my understanding of bodysurfing, but I'm not entirely sure.

On another note, the X-Games are from the 4th-7th.

Hye5

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/02/2005 01:18:16 AM · #3

Hey Eric...

I'm interested in going, depending on my schedule for Saturday. I should know for sure in a day or two. I have been wanting to get down there for some time but haven't had the chance. Hopefully I can make it this time.

rasdub

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

08/02/2005 01:23:08 AM · #4

What's going on Eric? Damn man, I wish I lived down in SoCal to be able to head there on Saturday with you. I was just telling my buddy who moved to Hermosa Beach about "The Wedge". He'd never heard of it before, so I showed him some pictures from a few web sites and told him that he needs to get down to Newport to check it out. Those guys are crazy who bodysurf that shore break. I'm not sure if you have ever checked out this site, but here is a link that has some cool pictures and videos.

//www.bodysurfvideo.com/galleries.htm

Love your shots below, especially the first one with the skim boarder...great detail and framing on that shot.

Have fun this weekend. I'll have to wait until Mavericks out here in NorCal. Of course the great thing about The Wedge is that the break is right on shore, unlike Mavericks (I don't have a big enough lens to catch shots like you have below there).

rasdub

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

08/02/2005 01:24:52 AM · #5

Brian - You are correct with the latter understanding. They actually bodysurf that spot the old school way...no boards. Check out that link I listed below. Its crazy!!!

Dave

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

08/02/2005 01:27:39 AM · #6

Originally posted by brianlh:

Hey Brian,

Bodysurfers surf on their stomachs. The Wedge is famous for bodysurfers but I'm really not interested in photographing them.

Where are the X-Games being held?

Sandman

Nikon D200

08/02/2005 01:27:43 AM · #7

I take it you used your 28-200.. how was the shooting at 6:30 in the morning with the minimal light? Those are some great photos. So I'm to take it you used VR?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/02/2005 01:29:09 AM · #8

Originally posted by SoCal69:

Hey Chuck!

Keep me posted if you will be able to make it. It would be great to hook up again!

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

08/02/2005 01:32:29 AM · #9

They're being held at the Home Depot Center and Staples Center. Here is a link with more information on locations and ticket prices. I remember going two years ago and it was only about $5-10 to get in and see a lot of events. Looks like they're charging by the event now - except for maybe X-Fest, but I'm not sure what that is. I know that they used to hold the Surfing competition in Manhattan Beach, but don't see any info on it right now.

edit: Sorry for derailing the thread Eric!

Message edited by author 2005-08-02 01:33:01.

08/02/2005 01:39:22 AM · #10

Originally posted by rasdub:

I would love to photograph Maverick! I've heard a lot about that place. Does it only break in the winter? Mark Foo a professional surfer died surfing Mavericks in 1994

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/02/2005 06:30:38 AM · #11

Originally posted by Sandman:

I take it you used your 28-200.. how was the shooting at 6:30 in the morning with the minimal light? Those are some great photos. So I'm to take it you used VR?

I did use my 28-200 and it had plenty of reach because the waves break so close to shore.

Last Saturday I did not get there until about 8:00am so there was plenty of sun.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

08/02/2005 09:02:26 AM · #12

Nice photos. Damn, we're going up to Ventura for the weekend. I've been wanting to go back to the Wedge for a while and take some photos for my Dad (only ankle-slappers there last time I went). He used to be a crazy bodysurfer back in the early 60's and would go out there at red flag when everybody else had to stay out. He said he surfed when the waves were cresting over the top of the jetty. He's full of stories like that though. Thanks for the info on the times to go, I'll get down there someday.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/02/2005 08:16:18 PM · #13

BUMP....

I will bump this thread once a day until Friday.

Hye5

Canon EOS-5D

08/03/2005 11:31:12 AM · #14

Eric:

I'm good to go for Saturday morning! It's been so many years since I've been there, I will have to find directions unless you can give me the quick and dirty. What time do you want to meet and where? I will pm you my cell # as well.

08/03/2005 11:52:53 AM · #15

Originally posted by SoCal69:

I sent you a PM.