Surfer Profile: Simon Lowe

Highlights:
Locally being on every swell for the last eight years, and surfing with a group of people that I respect highly. Pulling in at giant barrels at Dungeons.

The Coach has been known to direct traffic at more than a few local breaks around the peninsula and quite frankly, we need more people like him. As the surf spots around the country seemingly get invaded by new school surfers and surf school graduates, so the Unwritten Rules Of Surfing get discarded by surfers who want, and feel they deserve, every wave that comes their way.
So many waves have become lawless and dysfunctional because when it got to critical stage none of the locals stood up and took control. The Durban beachfront is a prime example, some of the east coast point-breaks, and many of the semi-secret west coast surf spots.
If Simon is out at any of the waves that he frequents, from Kalk Bay to the many spots in the Reserve, to all the Kommetjie reefs and beaches and someone steps out of line, then Simon is quick to bring that person to justice. If there is a misdemeanour in the water with Simon around, you won’t get away with it.
When it comes to the giant surf that rolls over the outer reefs in and around Kommetjie, Simon puts his money where his mouth is and takes his passion into the big stuff. Whenever there is a swell of consequence then Simon is on it – either paddling on his favourite 10’0 DVG gun, or teamed up with the indefatigable Andy Marr. Although Simon hasn’t been a fixture on the Red Bull Big Wave Africa for long, he has been a fixture in big wave surfing in the country for ages, and it was just a matter of time before he was called in to bat. Simon is one of those guys who will simply go on any waves that he is in position for, which is heartening to watch. From Dungeons to Sunset to the excursions into the Overberg and spots like Bay View, Simon will arrive on cue at any big wave destination along with a good swell.
Despite the fact that he is renowned and respected in big waves, Simon still enters Red Bull Big Wave Africa as a dark horse. He has yet to compete in a heat at Dungeons, and competition surfing in big surf does have a certain amount of tactics and strategies, as well as the ability to charge. When Dungeons shows her face this year for the competition Simon will be one of the surfers that everyone will be watching.