Coastline pounded by 20-foot swells as some grab boards, others gawk

A surfer rides a big wave at Cardiff Reef on Wednesday afternoon as another surfer pushes through to the backside of the wave, top left. <br><small><B> BILL WECHTER Staff Photographer </B></small> <br><A HREF="http://www.nctimes.com/forms/photo_services/linkorder.php?des= BILL WECHTER " A surfer rides a big wave at Cardiff Reef on Wednesday afternoon as another surfer pushes through to the backside of the wave, top left." target="new">Order a copy of this photo</A> <!-- <br><A HREF=" ">More of this story</A> --> <br> <A HREF="http://www.nctimes.com/news/photogallery/" target="new">Visit our Photo Gallery</A> <br> <hr width="250">