When summer rolls into town, there is one place that makes hearts beat a little faster than most: the Wedge. It’s California’s weirdest wave, full of warbles and backwash. Unlike many places, no one really expects to make it — instead, it’s just the simple act of pulling in, getting a quick vision, and getting demolished. If it’s not that, it’s all about the stomach-lurching drop. Every now and then, of course, someone escapes, but that’s the exception, not the rule.
Nothing says summer in California like Independence Day, and this year, the Wedge was looking like it was going to go off. But then something happened: Coronavirus slammed a padlock on beaches around the state. “The forecast for the fourth was listed to be the biggest day in a few years,” wrote Brent Weldon, the man behind the camera of the video you see above. “Next thing you know they announce they are closing down the beach in all of Orange County and L.A. Had to risk it and go check it out. Being the first on the sand, I noticed the gates were open and it was go time.”
Brent wasn’t the only one there. He was joined by a slew of vision-seeking heroes. And from the looks of things, everyone did exactly what they came there to do: celebrate the 4th of July by getting rolled at the Wedge.
See more from Brent Weldon on YouTube.
