The Wedge is a renowned surf spot located at the easternmost end of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California. It's situated where the harbor's entrance channel meets the open ocean, creating unique and powerful wave conditions. Last fall I was able to spend a few weeks on the Peninsula and I was able to experience the almost mystical vibe. The unusual wave formation at The Wedge is primarily due to the way swells refract and converge as they approach the harbor jetty. This, combined with the shallow sandbar, can cause waves to jack up suddenly and reach impressive heights, often exceeding 30 feet. Additionally, backwash from waves hitting the jetty can collide with incoming waves, creating unpredictable and often violent conditions, including "wedging" peaks that give the spot its name. These factors make surfing The Wedge exceptionally challenging and dangerous, even for experienced surfers and bodyboarders.

The Wedge has a long and storied history within surf culture, particularly for bodyboarding. While surfers have long been drawn to its powerful waves, it was bodyboarders in the 1960s and 70s who truly pioneered riding The Wedge, developing techniques to navigate its unique and often treacherous conditions. Over time, a culture of respect and localized knowledge has developed around riding The Wedge.

I created this cubist inspired art based from a few arial drone views. This piece was super exciting because I was able to visualize the days and all the surfers I watched during my stay at Balboa. The original is installed in a lovely waterfront home on the peninsula.

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Wedge Original is 30x40” SOLD / 50 30x40” Numbered Limited Editions $2,200 / 24x36” Colorado Editions $900