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California

The Wedge

A surfer, bodyboarder and bodysurfer compete to ride a big wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach.

A surfer, bodyboarder and bodysurfer compete to ride a big wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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If the Wedge were a bar, it would be the meanest in town, the type of mutant hangout you’d go for the thrill of getting beaten by a biker gang, or a kneeboarder named Moose. This is to say the people who pick to ride the waves at the end of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach are a rare, slightly warped breed of surf enthusiast.

Flying high

A bodyboarder flies off a large wave -- some reach 20 feet on the face -- from a south swell at the Wedge in Newport Beach.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A launch

A bodysurfer gets launched down a wave at the Wedge.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Uh oh

A surfer reacts upon realizing a wipeout is coming as he rides a large wave at the Wedge.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Liftoff

A surfer bails off his board at the Wedge.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tube ride

A surfer gets what is known as a tube ride at the Wedge in Newport Beach Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Anticipation

Surfers check out conditions at the Wedge.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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