I put this short video together to try show you what diving in Cape Town can be about. I also wanted to thank all the great people who share my life and passion for life, be it on the water or land. Live life to the fullest everyday…….

Have a look…

Jean Tresfon wrote  – Last week Buoyweather was predicting 5m swells at a 15 second period for Thursday. Steve Benjamin from Animal Ocean called and asked if I’d like to try taking pictures of the big wave surfers at Sunset. Not have done much of this sort of thing and always up for a new experience I thought I’d give it a go. Those guys are seriously not well!!! The waves were huge, in fact so big that they were struggling to paddle into them. A few of the guys caught a wave or two and then they bailed back to shore to grab the tow in boards. Dave Smith and Shaun Holmes towed into some absolute monsters. From a photography point of view total concentration is required, which gets harder as a freight train of white water comes rushing at you. Total trust in the skipper is required and Steve is a master! All in all a very entertaining day on the water…

All images by Jean Tresfon

Dave Smith at Sunset

Simon Lowe Flying down the face

Dave Smith and rider Sean Holmes on a Sunset beast

Sean Holmes at Sunset

Its a beast...Sean Holmes

Simon Lowe

Over the falls....

On February 5th, after another dive with the seven gill sharks (or cowsharks, as they’re called here) off of Miller’s Point, Steve Benjamin (Animal Ocean) took me up to Cape Point at the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point of Africa.  Although it’s not the tip of Africa, it’s definitely the photogenic tip of Africa, and Steve and I had a good time taking pictures and hiking up to the new lighthouse.  We saw ostriches and baboons as well!

Myfanwy Rowlands at Cape Point

In the afternoon, we toured the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which are absolutely stunning.  So much botanical knowledge in one place, it was mind-boggling and academically very inspiring — but to those friends who are all-too-familiar with my vocational ADD,  I’m happy to report that despite the amazing visit I’m still planning on studying marine biology & conservation, not botany.  Although I do have my sights set on marine plants.

For the past three days (Feb. 6-9), I’ve had the privilege of accompanying Thomas Peschak, Chief Photographer for the Save Our Seas Foundation, on an underwater photo shoot here in Cape Town.  We’ve been out every day on Steve Benjamin’s Animal Oceans boat, and it’s been amazing to watch such a high-calibre photographer at work.

Thomas is also a tremendous advocate for shark conservation and a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers;  I would not have been able to come to South Africa if it weren’t for his help in finding experiences in South Africa for me on my scholarship.

Today the swell was up, so Steve Benjamin (Animal Ocean) and I took a group of professional photographers out chasing the big wave surfers at Sunset Reef, a surf spot here in Cape Town with a reputation almost as deadly as Dungeons.  We were out there for half the day, and I was absolutely blown away what these guys can do on the water.  Below is a picture by Jean Tresfon — the surfer is Sean Holmes, one of South Africa’s finest big-wave surfers.

The waves were unbelievable.  Browse below if will, and try and imagine riding down the face of one of these.  Also out there today were Mike Baleta, Simon Lowe, Dave Smith and Mickey Dufus.

Sean Holmes first wave on the tow at Sunset

Over the falls

Sunday saw us heading out in the rain to dungeons. The day started off slowly with large lulls in the sets. The tide was high in the morning making the waves not stand up like the would be in the afternoon, the wind was also strong making it difficult for the guys to paddle in. Simon Lowe got 2 bombs as well as Mike Slebach getting a great close out barrel. Frank Soloman had 3 horrible wipes on big 15ft set waves, we all cringed as we watched him skipping down the face in the barrel of a monster. Jake Kolnick got 9 stitches in the head from his board hitting him. Sammy came aboard the boat after a bad wipe out, eyes blood shot and bleeding from the ears!

Mat Bromley caught some great waves.

Other casualties included broken boards of Frank and Mike Baleta (Mad Mike), come to think of it I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mike leave dungeons with any whole boards.

Thanks to all those that joined us for the day

The wind picked up as the swell died and we headed to the Lookout Deck where the party continued

Images from a rainy day in Summer

Image Kimmi Stewart

Mike Slebach wipe out

It was a glassy beautiful day at Dungeons, with most of the guys out and ready. A handful of great waves came through but the swell didn’t quite live up to expectations.
Jem Johnson jumped off the boat and straight into a great wave. I was caught by surprise so the footage is overexposed but you can have a look.

Check out this great article written by Roosta here

Jem, Jason and Rooster

Jem Johnson by Mark van Coller

With a 6m swell running and a swell period of 17sec, a day of big waves was on. We launched from houtbay at 11:30 just as the swell was picking up. The team was keen to see surfing at its highest level. The guys were paddling in when we arrived. James Taylor took a big one on the head and came aboard for a breather. The were large gaps between sets punctuated by moments of brilliant surfing. At about 2:30 the paddle boards were anchored in the channel and tow boards strapped on the feet.

Animal Ocean boat

Greg Long Sunset

Mike Slebach & Barry Futter Sunset

The team

Sunset tow-in

On the 21/8/09 we headed out in the rain to Dungeons. The Animal Ocean team we in high spirits and were not disappointed by the action. The tide was low in the morning making for interesting boating due to the swells that like to stand up in the channel.

Some of the team opted for dry land when the skies once again opened up. We returned to dungeons just in time for Kimmi stewart to capture James Taylor ride a 20ft bomb.

The wind picked up, South, and we all headed across to Sunset. Here it was offshore and amazing. The set up is very different here but still allowing for some great shots. We arrived back in Houtbay at 4pm, what a day!!

Here is what Jonny Blundell had to say

Hi Steve – thank you so much… it was an amazing experience for me. Something I’ve wanted to do for years and it lived up to beyond my expectations.I really felt safe in that little boat with you at the helm….I could tell that you know what you’re doing and that you take your passengers lives seriously! Hopefully again soon! All the best – Jonny Blundell.

James Taylor, Dungeons

Frank Soloman freefall, Dungeons

Chris Bertish, Dungeons

Twiggy, Sunset

Roxy, Hanli and Kimmi

The best dungeons ever ? as called for by John (thebombsurf.com) we will have to see as the images of the day start to rise out of the camera’s and into the magazines. One thing is for sure it was massive, clean and acting like a wave possessed. The barrels grew wider as the tide dropped and cleaner as the wind swung and blew gently.

First thing in the morning while most riders were looking and anchoring the ski’s, James Taylor paddled into a absolute bomb that send everyone into a frenzy. Greg Long, and many others, would later claim that it was the biggest wave ever paddled into ANYWHERE. Big statements but that was the quality and size of the wave and day ahead. Two photographers got images of that wave, lets hope they can do it justice.

The day was always eventful between the Animal Ocean team hooting when riders got waves, fetching smashed boards from the white wash or lifting weary riders around. It was amazing

I’m going to let the images of Kimmi Stewart do the talking

Cheers

Steve

Broken boards and smiles all round

Andrew Marr and beast with open jaws

Twiggy falling into a bomb

Twiggy Baker

James Toylor slides down the slope

Even before the sun had risen the Hout bay parking lot was a buzz of excitement and apprehension as riders, photographers, skippers and spectators got ready for the day ahead.

We launched at 8am and headed out in 15 knot winds and 7m swells.

This was the debut adventure for “Animal Ocean”, our new 8m rubberduck. Mark White, Mark van Coller, Roxy Towill and Kimi Stewart joined me for the fun.

The riders caught some awe inspiring waves as the conditions improved throughout the day. I remember watching someone dropping down a massive face and realizing it was Maya Gabeira, she put the boys in thier place with that wave. The biggest ever ridden by a woman !!!

The dangers of this extreme sport were highlighted in the afternoon when a Rynard Fourie was washed inshore. The other riders lost track of him and called in the NSRI for help. He was found unharmed.

James Taylor at Dungeons

All the camera's were out

Sunday, 17th May, saw the team arrive early at Houtbay harbour, in anticipation of huge waves and a day of fun. The parking lot filled slowly with jetski’s and surfboards. The conditions were a bit messy and the swell not as big as predicted but some mind-blowing waves were caught. Kimi Stewart captured the day.