Red Bull Big Waves Africa surfing event hits Cape Town for 8th time

The Red Bull Big Wave Africa at the Dungeons in Hout Bay, one of the world's largest surfing competitions, enters it's 8th year.

This is an old event. Read about the 2022 Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival here.

It is South Africa's surf event of the year, the Red Bull Big Wave Africa 2006. This dynamic, energetic, exciting surfing event - for which Big Wave surfers from across the planet gather at the roaring Dungeons in Hout Bay - is all about adrenaline, action and of course conquering the mighty surf.

::Update::-- The Red Bull Big Wave 2006 took place on 27 July 2006: Read the article and watch footy here --

As the previous 7 years, the 8th edition of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa offers top local and international surfers the opportunity to compete at the unpredictable, deep-water reef break known as "Dungeons" close to Hout Bay.

Until 1999, despite persistent rumours of big waves and people surfing them, Cape Town was not known for its huge surf. Therefore there was no big wave surfing competition. Things changed when South African surfers Cass Collier, Ian Armstrong and Mickey Duffus won the ISA big Wave World Cup in Todos Santos, Mexico. Based on their testimonials on the wave conditions in South Africa, Red Bull initiated the first big wave surfing event in Africa. Red Bull Big Wave Africa was born.

Over the years the Red Bull Big Wave Africa has earned international recognition as the second longest running big wave surfing contests in the world, just after the Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay, Hawaii. Every year the best big wave surfers from all over have come to Hout Bay for this spectacular paddle-in event with a minimum of 15ft swells.

The event isn't spectacular for surfers only. Spectators can eat their hearts out as well. The best viewing area will be set-up on the shoulder of the Sentinel mountain, where you will have a bird's eye view of one of the most spectacular sports events in Cape Town. But: Since the mountain is part of the Cape Peninsula National Park, there are some instructions everyone should follow:

- You can't park on close to the mountain. Park close to the Harbour & catch one of the Red Bull Big Wave shuttle busses. You'll be dropped at the start of the trail that heads up to the Sentinel Ridge. Follow the demarcated trail to the viewing area (10 - 15 minutes).

- Bring a jacket, raincoat, beanie, and/or blanket since it could get cold.  - The Sentinel is environmentally sensitive. You' re requested to follow all Park rules. Don't start fires, pick up litter (even the smallest paper), and do not damage vegetation.

You can watch the Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition from the water as well. There are a number of charter companies in Hout Bay harbour that will be operating boat trips to Dungeons on the day of the contest, for instance Drumbeat Charters.

Preview! Watch video footage of last year's event on Cape Town Magazine.com

Accommodation close to Hout Bay

• The Twelve Apostles Hotel
• The Long Beach Hotel

Things to do on the Cape Peninsula

• Seal island Cruise with Drumbeat Charters
• Horseback riding on Noordhoek's Beach
• Township tour in Imizamo Yethu township in Hout Bay

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