The Wedge  Recommended

The Wedge is probably the best known sidewash anywhere. Killer Dana was destroyed by a harbor jetty. The Wedge was created by one. The wedge is a huge sidewash that is created by the jetty at the mouth of Newport Harbor. The biggest wave I have ever seen in person was at the wedge. It was 25 feet and there were exactly three people in the water. Two knee boarders and one bodysurfer. There were probably about fifty to sixty people with boards that were staying out of the water. Me? I was skimming 'little' sidewashes right onshore. Actually they were about three feet overhead but they were nothing compared to what was going on outside. The wedge is rarely very good for skimming and always crowded.  This doesn't mean that it is not perhaps the best skimboarding spot on earth.  It just means that it is not very consistent. There are always at least 15 guys in the water on a decent day. It works best on a south swell in spring or fall, And is usually only rideable on a "small" swell. High tide is generally best.

The Wedge is located on the North side of the north jetty at the entrance to Newport Harbor. To get there just get onto the main road on Balboa Peninsula and drive south all the way to the end. The break is right next to the jetties. Be careful, lots of angry locals. It is blackballed in the summer months, no skimming whatsoever! Damn...

Submitted by webmaster@skimonline.com

Balboa Pier  Recommended

Balboa Pier is a good straight wave break. There are often good liners on a west swell. Unlike the wedge, Balboa will work on a west or a south. It is generally best on a high tide but sometimes needs a low. Much more consistent (and rideable) than the wedge. Balboa Pier is also Blackballed in the summer months.

To get to Balboa Pier, get onto the main north south road on Balboa Peninsula. You can either drive there or take the Balboa Island Ferry for about a buck. Balboa Pier should be on the map. There are also signs that tell you where it is. If you take the Ferry just drive straight till you get to the beach. Metered Parking is available off A Street just to the south of the main parking lot.

Note: The stretch of beach between Balboa Pier and the Wedge is often just as good as the skimming at the actual pier, but less crowded. Check it out!

Submitted by webmaster@skimonline.com

Cylinders

This is a spot that many of the local skimmers know to the right of WEDGE, near P tower. This spot is never crowded except for skimmers and an occasional body surfer. this spot has excellent shore break and is easy to get to. At Cylinders you get all the good surf of wedge without having to deal with that stupid black ball flag crap.  When the surf is larger (especially during the summer months) sidewash is common at this spot.  It is best tide is high tide. 

 Take 55 South to Newport. Merge onto  E Balboa blvd. (long street with many shops etc....) 3 follow E Balboa past Newport pier, then Balboa pier.... merge onto E oceanfront. *you may notice that once you are on E oceanfront the street names change from #s (eg:15th, 32nd, 12th.....) to letter names (eg: I, L, G,.....) Follow oceanfront to somewhere in between M St. and Channel rd. and park. Now go to the sand find P tower.

Submitted by: SuperSamman@aol.com