Surfing is fully of scary moments. From gruesome injuries to eerie shark run-ins and terrifying hold-downs, when things go wrong, surfing can easily rival the scariest of movies. Here’s a Halloween list of the spookiest surf spots that are sure to give you a fright.
More than a one eyed monster. Photo: Russell Ord
1. Cyclops
As its name suggests, Cyclops is a gigantic one-eyed monster. The sea-floor undergoes a tremendous depth change, and when large swells come out of deep water and break on the shallow razor-sharp reef, a wave like no other is produced. With one of the thickest lips on the planet, Cyclops breaks with a spectacular oval shaped barrel resembling the eye of a cyclops. While some big wave riders take on this Australian mutant, most would rather take on a real cyclops than face this beast.
Being locked in the dungeon is definitely a scary place to be. Photo: Red Bull
2. Dungeons
Dungeons is certainly a spooky wave. The heavy right handed slab breaks in the Great White shark infested waters of South Africa. With underwater boulders, freezing water, abundant sea life, and deadly waves, Dungeons is a truly terrifying surf spot. The wave earned its name after a surfer was held down for 2 back to back 25 foot waves. There’s no doubt that Dungeon’s is much scarier than any Halloween fright.
Legend has it a witch used to inhabit the rock. Photo: Trevor Murphy
3. Witch’s Rock
Witch’s Rock doesn’t have treacherous surf like many of the other spots on the list, but it does have a spooky legend. Made famous by Pat O’Connell in the Endless Summer II, Witch’s Rock is recognized as one of Costa Rica’s world-class waves. The sand bottom break enjoys tropical water temperatures and offshore winds. However, local legend has it that the place was named for an old witch that inhabited the rock. Surfers sometimes report feeling eerie or spooked especially when surfing at sundown in the shadows of the rock.
It’s that Central California fog blanketing this place that makes it so eerie. That and the ghosts on the cliffs.
4. Ghost Tree
Ghost Tree breaks off Pescadero Point in Monterey, California. The relatively little-known big wave spot breaks off a patch of coast known as Ghost Trees. The coastline is covered in large, white, gnarled cypress trees that resemble ghosts or witches. Legend has it that one specific Ghost Tree is frequented by a spirit known as “Lady in Lace.” The lady often appears wearing a wedding dress, and some speculate that it might be Dona Maria who once owned a large portion of Pebble Beach. Combine this legend with the eerie coastal fog, freezing waters, heavy waves, and plenty of Great Whites, and you have one spooky spot.
Few people know about the legend behind Teahupoo. Photo: Shelli Bankier
5. Teahupo’o
The majority of the surfing world knows of the terrifying waves and death-defying surfing that takes place each year at Teahupo’o. The heavy Tahititan reef pass sees deep water swells detonating on the shallow reef in a spectacular show of spit and glory. However, few are aware of the spooky legend behind the wave. Some sources say that Teahupo’o was first surfed by a young, brave Tahitian girl named Vehiatua. She surfed the dangerous waves with such skill that a local chief became jealous. He killed her in an attempt to absorb some of her skill, however, he was never able to surf the wave with the same mastery.
