Returning To Dungeons

The Dungeon has been locked. Last week, however, the gateway opened. The cauldron bubbled. And, beneath blue skies, South African locals strapped on their vests. Today, only memories remain. According to local photographer, Alan van Gysen, the spot will be bolted shut for a while.

“While other well-known big wave locations around the world have experienced some of their biggest and best seasons in recent years, the almost forgotten African king of big waves – Dungeons, quietly slept on through a dismal and wave-deprived El Nino cycle,” AVG tells Stab. “Unfortunately this hibernation and virtual disappearance of any big cold fronts in the Cape Town region has had far worse effects than just the lack of big waves. Cape Town is recording it’s worst drought in well over 100 years. Dam levels are dangerously low, down into the 15 percent and water restrictions are way up. While low-pressure systems continue to spin off too far below Southern Africa for much needed ‘weather’ and the rain outlook doesn’t look good – the ‘hot’ high pressure looms over South Africa, unwilling to step aside much like the president. This makes the “lucky” bump in swell this past week at Dungeons a seemingly rare commodity which big wave locals like Frank Solomon didn’t miss out on. A tight crew of South African big wave chargers, including WSL Big Wave Champ, Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker, revelled in the pristine summer-like weather and glassy conditions. With a rather flat and warm forecast ahead this session may well be remembered and reflected on more than usual by those lucky enough to have been there.”