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Grant Meisenholder
Trad climber
CA
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Jul 24, 2009 - 03:37pm PT
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When I lived on Balboa Is in '81, I heard the Wedge was going off and decided to check it out. Walking past Dick Dale's house you could start to feel the ground shaking. Then the sound of heavy artillery going off.
A huge crowd was lined up about 20 feet from the edge of the sand. The sight of the wave took my breath away. "Holy Crap!" Pure insanity. I needed a closer look and why was everybody standing so far back? So I walked right up to the edge and waited for the next wave. BOOM!! the recoil nearly knocked me over. I watched as the wave rushed up the shore and pitched 10' over the top and as I turned to get out of the way of the tidal wave, I could see everyone just smiling and laughing. Took me hours to dry out... Good times!
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scooter
climber
fist clamp
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Jul 24, 2009 - 04:08pm PT
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""
Flynn
""
Isa
A little ways North but....clean water and big waves. Nor Cal!
Pdub
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Barbarian
Trad climber
slowly dying in the OC
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Jul 24, 2009 - 05:08pm PT
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Drove down today at lunch to take a peek. It's looking insane...if I was 30 years younger I think I'd call in sick... as in "the Wedge is SICK! I'm outta here for the day!"
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jul 24, 2009 - 05:36pm PT
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i hate to embed a link to the OC Register, but...
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dogtown
climber
Cheyenne,Wyoming
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 24, 2009 - 08:33pm PT
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It’s no playground.
Truly, Sorry; Bruce.
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Fogarty
climber
Back in time..
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Jul 24, 2009 - 10:49pm PT
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RIP, waterman..
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pyro
Big Wall climber
Calabasas
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Jul 25, 2009 - 12:14am PT
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thanks rincon!
sorry to hear about this accident.
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Jefe'
Boulder climber
Bishop
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Jul 25, 2009 - 01:07am PT
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I agree with Juan Largo. Wedge way more gnarlier than Sandy's.
Spent many days at both, when it was ripping, and just regular daze. It's all timing on shore breaks!!!!!!!! Sandy's also get's a weird rip sometimes.
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Jul 25, 2009 - 01:11am PT
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Man, you have to be WAY out of position - or get washed over there by fluke or after getting really worked - to ever get close to the rocks at the Wedge. I've never heard of that happening - a guy getting busted up dead on the rocks.
I don't know what the figures are but neck injuries have to be way high at the Wedge, especially on days like today. I wish I could have been there to see it. The wave can jack up so big so fast you almost have to see it to believe it.
It's like the Bachar-Yerian or Turbo Flange of body surfing, and only a little less so for body boards and surfers.
JL
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Jefe'
Boulder climber
Bishop
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Jul 25, 2009 - 01:21am PT
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John, you went with me and Richard to San Clemente below T-Street, above Trestles. No shore break there, just lots of fun.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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Jul 25, 2009 - 01:21am PT
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I'm not 100% sure I'm reading this thing right. If I am and you're coming into surf here you better damn call me.
If not nevermind. Haven't had the energy to read the entire thread.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Jul 25, 2009 - 01:29am PT
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In San Diego last night the surf was thick and pretty good at @ 6-10'. H2O temp in the mid to high 70's....
I'm jess learning but having a blast at it. Spent several hours at San Elijo last Sat. and woke up the next a.m. feeling like someone had used a baseball bat on me from the waist up. But it was a good feeling. Getting it done and having fun.
Beth...Fluoride, wanna surf come on down and spend the weekend sometime. Yo got my cell.....:D lynne
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Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
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Jul 25, 2009 - 01:46am PT
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The Wedge giveth, and the Wedge taketh away.
Marion Morrison (AKA John Wayne) was a USC football standout, until he injured/dislocated his shoulder body-surfing the Wedge. He lost his sports scholarship, and had to abandon college. He was forced, by circumstance, towards the work available at the Hollywood studios. He was a props man for years, until, in middle age, he came into his own as an actor. Some would say he eventually became the greatest American film star, ever.
The downside of the Wedge is the news story now at hand.
The ocean is, and always has been, an unforgiving mistress.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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Jul 25, 2009 - 03:22am PT
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Thanks Lynne but no can do right now. The skull still isn't quite right. But when it is I will for sure take you up on the offer. My aunt lives up the block from Wind and Sea down there so want to take advantage of that before summer ends as long as all heals.
Crap, someone died? I know things are bad when the incident is linked to my own damn station's website article. (I haven't been in all week, first I heard).
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