Cape Town big wave riders stake out new reef

Shark Alley Reef

"We’ve been eyeing this spot for many years now but have never really been in the area on the good days to see it go. It’s always so hard leaving the more well known big wave spots in Cape Town because the waves are so good and the crowds are, generally, pretty mellow. However, we’ve had a great run of waves over the last few weeks and we felt like a bit of a mission and something new. My mates Sammy Leith, James Moolenschot, Peter Lambert and I headed up the coast with two rubber duckies in tow. James Taylor, Chris Bertish, Ant Fox  and Cecilia would join us a bit later.
A 30 min duck ride later and we had arrived. To be honest the waves looked kak and small. We very nearly turned back but decided a quick paddle was in order just to get wet and besides I had a serious hangover to kick."

"The wave was way heavier than it looked and we all got some serious rogerings. It had a very similar feel to Dungeons with it’s huge take off zone, dark, deep water and heavy shark vibe. You really don’t want to be swimming around here."

"We all had some great rides and the spot, like hundreds of other spots, would definitely have its day but I’m not sure that I would be giving up my local just yet." - MIKE SCHLEBACH