Spurred by reports of big swells, I finally checked out the Wedge in Newport Beach yesterday. By the time I made it through the traffic crawling into the peninsula the biggest waves had gone, and surf boards had given way to body surfing. Whenever these intrepid souls caught a wave, the crowd roared with delight.

Going in

Trying to ride waves this like

And this

While lifeguards watched closely

And waves pounded Balboa Pier further up the peninsula