Catching Dungeons – surfing one of the world's most dangerous waves

Dungeons – the wild, ruthless wave lurking off Hout Bay – has long been considered one of the most dangerous big-wave surf spots in the world. It’s cold, unpredictable and absolutely unforgiving.

But diver and surfer James Lowe feels quite differently about it, and has since he was a young boy.

"My uncle Simon Lowe is a legendary surfer, and I remember walking into his house and he had all these pictures of amazing surfing at Dungeons... and that kind of inspired me."

Lowe started surfing big waves at 16, but didn't tackle the notorious Dungeons until he was around 18 years old. He says the whole experience starts before you even hit the water.

"One of the most incredible things is not only being out there, but getting out there... there's a few ways of doing it and one of them is walking over the Sentinel, which is kind of a rite of passage.

"The first time I went I actually walked over the Sentinel and down the hill with a massive 10-foot surfboard, and paddled out off the rocks... when you get out there, it's one of the most wild experiences –there's a seal colony right there, above you is this huge dramatic Sentinel mountain, and then the waves are coming in from all different directions.

"It's a really intimidating experience, but you feel really connected to nature being out there... I remember the thrill of being out there."

Lowe has surfed many of the big-wave spots around the world, but still has one on his to-do list in Fiji.

As for the feeling of being out there as the big wave approaches, Lowe says you just have to face the fear that sets in.

"You have to change from feeling those incredible butterflies, to making a decision to go for the wave."

To listen to James Lowe speaking to CapeTalk's John Maytham, click the audio player below: