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Sharks, Dead Seals, and All-Time Wedge

No shark will stop these guys. Not when the waves are this good, at least.

BY Ben Ginsberg |

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    Local Tyler Stanaland knows this wave inside and out--but he prefers the look on the inside. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    Rob Machado styling on a singlefin like only he can. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    With so many surfers in the lineup a few decided to take to the air for a different view. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    Spencer Pridy negotiating morning traffic during the morning commute. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    June Gloom is in full effect, but Sage Burke still found some shade at Wedge. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • Surfers and bodyboarders risk the waters for big waves after a nearby shark attack at Wedge, Newport Beach, CA.

    Tyler Gunter charging an inside section at the Wedge before lifeguards and police cleared the lineup due to the recent shark attack across the harbor in Corona Del Mar, not to mention the dead seal washing up. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • Surfers and bodyboarders risk the waters for big waves after a nearby shark attack at Wedge, Newport Beach, CA.

    Beach closures be damned, there's not much better felling than getting shacked at the Wedge. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • Surfers and bodyboarders risk the waters for big waves after a nearby shark attack at Wedge, Newport Beach, CA.

    Local grom Parker Cohn catching the side-wave under a heavy lip at the Wedge. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • Surfers and bodyboarders risk the waters for big waves after a nearby shark attack at Wedge, Newport Beach, CA.

    Waves at the Wedge are a lot bigger and closer to shore than it might at times seem. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    You can get a break from going left at Cylinders, but just like Wedge it'll eat you alive. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    After a winter full of trips to Maverick's and Todos, local up-and-coming grom Sage Burke has no problem negotiating a drop at Wedge. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    Nolan Rapoza negotiating some backwash. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    Surfers and bodyboarders ride large, heavy waves at the Wedge in Newport Beach, CA. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    Tylar Stanaland launching a big cannon ball dismount. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    Pat Gudauskas charging down the line and trying to make the section on an inside drainer at the Wedge. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

  • South Swell Surf Session at The Wedge

    A surfer crests the shoulder of a closeout set. Photo: Ben Ginsberg

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Wedge season and the beach was already lined with bodies. The water was packed with waterhousings and GoPros, not to mention the multitudes and multitudes of surfers and bodyboarders. It’s becoming a game of bumper boats out there.

But we’re a kooky bunch, aren’t we? There was shark attack on the opposite side of the harbor entrance the day before, a seal washed up on shore with half it’s face missing, and immediately after that we, as surfers, charge down to the water’s edge and into the lineup, frothing for massive waves. Yeah, we’re entering their world, but you can’t let a rare occurrence or fear of the unknown keep you down. You just can’t. Not when the waves are this good, at least.

See more of Ben’s photography on his website and Instagram.