These enormous waves are a by-product of improvements to the groins at the Newport Harbor entrance undertaken during the 1930s. As an incoming wave approaches from outside, it washes up against the groin and washes back down, causing a "side wave" that connects with another incoming wave to form a peak. A waterperson in peak physical condition, with an awful lot of experience bodysurfing, bodyboarding, or kneeboarding here, is promised a short, but very fast and exciting, ride.