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Bodysurfers celebrate start of blackball season at the Wedge

May 2, 2023

There was no sun and no swell to mark the momentous occasion, but that wouldn’t put a damper on the beach celebration.

A group of bodysurfers showed up under drizzly skies at the Wedge, a world-famous Newport Beach surf break, to celebrate “Blackball Day” on May 1, when a rule kicks in restricting flotation devices from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 31.

This year marked the 30th anniversary since the Wedge Preservation Society, a group of passionate bodysurfers, lobbied City Hall to stiffen the rules against the growing number of board riders who were flooding into the wild surf break, causing chaos in the water.

The Wedge today is a place where often thousands of stunned spectators stand on the sand and watch in awe when a big south swell is on the horizon, cheering on bodysurfers, bodyboarders, skimboarders and surfers all hoping to get their piece of the wild waves that can be produced.

When an area has a blackball flag displayed, that means hard boards are restricted from certain areas, but most allow Boogie Boards. Not at the Wedge, where even blow up toys (yes, those have been ridden at the Wedge) aren’t allowed in the water during a blackball.

Longtime bodysurfer Mel Thoman, now 66, helped spearhead the effort three decades ago in 1993, when the “Boogie invasion was flying high,” he said, referring to the popularity of the Boogie Board.

While a blackball period had already existed, it was only enforced from noon to 4 p.m., and didn’t start until later into summer.

“We tried to ride, but there were so many boogs,” he said. “We knew all the lifeguards and asked, ‘Is there anything we can do about the situation?’”

So the group of passionate bodysurfers rallied a petition drive that highlighted the Wedge’s significant role as a historical bodysurfing spot that was in danger of disappearing if they weren’t allowed set hours to ride.

Bill Sharp balances on the jetty at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, May 1, 2023 as he picks up trash. The Wedge Preservation Society, cleans the beach and then holds a “blackflag” ceremony each year, recognizing the summer surfing season with new rules for surfers. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bill Sharp perhaps prevents a beach-goer a trip to the hospital after finding a board with rusty nails protruding during a beach cleanup at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mel Thoman plants the “blackball” flag at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, May 1, 2023, commemorating the start of summer and new hours for surfboarders. The rules are in place to prevent bodysurfers from colliding with boards. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mel Thoman finds small foam pieces during a beach cleanup at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, May 1, 2023. Thoman is, part of the Wedge Preservation Society. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Boo plays in the sand during the annual “blackflag” ceremony at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, May 1, 2023, recognizing the summer surfing season with new safety rules for surfers. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The “blackball” flag commemorates the start of summer and new hours for surfboarders at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, May 1, 2023. The rules are in place to prevent bodysurfers from colliding with boards. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Wearing a Wedge Preservation Society hoodie, Bill Sharp picks up trash on the jetty at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, May 1, 2023. It was part of the traditional “blackflag” ceremony each year, recognizing the summer surfing season with new rules for surfers. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mel Thoman unfurls a towel with the “blackball” flag that commemorates the start of summer and new hours for surfboarders at the Wedge in Newport Beach. The rules are in place to prevent bodysurfers from colliding with boards. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mel Thoman is greeted at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, May 1, 2023 after arriving with the “blackball” flag. The “Wedge Crew” hold an annual ceremonial beach cleanup, their 30th year, after planting the flag, signifying summer and new safety rules for surfboarders. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Wedge Crew pose with the “blackball” flag in Newport Beach on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Martin Henke, left, and Mel Thoman, salute the ceremonial “blackball” flag, commemorating the start of summer and new hours for surfboarders at the Wedge in Newport Beach. The rules are in place to prevent bodysurfers from colliding with boards. They also cleaned the beach on
Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The Wedge’s wave is unique, created by a rock jetty put in by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect the Newport Harbor entrance in 1936. While it destroyed a surf break at Corona del Mar, it created the Wedge, which bounces incoming water off the jetty and refracts it to “wedge up” in size, creating steep-breaking waves in shallow water.

It became a mecca for bodysurfing in the 1950s when Fred Simpson, who later invented Viper Fins, and Roger Goodan bodysurfed the Wedge.

The invention of the swim fin allowed the wave riders even more control in navigating the Wedge’s wicked waters.

In the ’70s and ’80s, the Wedge Crew, as they are known, would spend summers soaking up the sun and riding the beefy waves any time a summer south swell showed.

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They held raging parties and tournaments on the sand, bringing blow-up toys to take on the big waves.

The popularity of the Boogie Board in the ’80s is when the chaos began, changing the lineup and creating tension in the water. Then, the surf spot was featured in surf magazines and it soon became a hot spot drawing crowds on the sand and wave riders who wanted to conquer the beast.

Longtime Wedge rider Bill Sharp, who a few years ago started the Wedge Awards, was one of those who fought against the original blackball rules – a kneeboarder who didn’t want less time in the water.

But on Monday, Sharp celebrated with the Wedge Crew, now understanding the importance of keeping the water open and accessible for everyone.

“In a way, it’s worked out for everyone. It gives everyone their slice of the pie,” he said. “You get up early and the boardriders have their feast. Then at 10 a.m., the bodysurfers who can’t compete with the boards, they have their sanctuary hours.”

Then at 5 p.m., people with boards come back and it’s a “free for all,” Sharp said.

“Everyone understands, it’s just what makes the Wedge unique,” he said. “No one is kicked out of the water – it’s just the boards are kicked out of the water. A lot of the guys who are really good surfers or bodyboarders or kneeboarders, they are watermen and they can bodysurf too.”

The celebration on the sand kicked off with a beach cleanup and Thoman putting up a big blackball flag in the sand near the rock jetty where each summer for decades Wedge Crew bodysurfers have gathered whenever a swell shows up.

Lance Jencks, 75, started bodysurfing here in 1965. As he walked up onto the beach he yelled out: “Happy Wedge Day!”

“I come every year,” he said, noting he retired from bodysurfing in 2020. His longtime love affair with the Wedge is “everything,” he said.

“It lasted longer than my first marriage,” he said with a chuckle. “That’s why we live here.”

Bodysurfer Jason Harney, who followed his older brother down to the Wedge when he was 14 years old in 1986, said there’s been a recent resurgence and appreciation for the break since the “Dirty Old Wedge” was released. The 2016 documentary is being featured at the Dana Point Film Festival on Sunday, May 7.

“There are a couple places known for bodysurfing, this is certainly the preeminent one of those,” he said. “A lot of people, even if they haven’t been down here to ride waves, they are aware of it. That film, being such a historical homage to the group and the place, allows us people to be more aware.”

As the group gathered for a photo, a few small bumps started forming and as the swell inched closer to shore, the bodysurfers all watched in anticipation, cheering as it bounced off the jetty and formed a small peak.

While it wasn’t surfable on this day, they know they have entire summer ahead – and who knows, maybe this summer Wedge season will be one for the history books.

“The Dirty Old Wedge,” which tells the history of the world-famous surf break, will be featured at 5:30 p.m. on May 7 at the Double Tree, 34402 E Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. For tickets, go to danapointfilmfestival.org.

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