Northern Exposure: Spain Pumps

Mundaka is a special place, the walls of the local bars are lined with signed boards and pictures of the the top 44 with the local surfers and staff (the World Tour was last held here in 2009 and no return is planned). Surfing is ingrained into the culture of this place and it's not hard to see why - a machine perfect barrel unloads on the sandbar and reels for what seems like forever. Claims are quite rightly justifiable here, three barrels sections link up and I'm not one to throw cliques down but legitimately on its day you could catch the ride of your life.

Kepa Acero doesn't do things by halves, a 45 minute trek through swamp, forest and down sheer cliff to find empty waves thanks to Mundaka being off limits during the comp. "God.... It was so hard to be there watching an all time day in Mundaka." Said Kepa "Epic waves and watching the competitors getting barrelled, it was perfect. I couldn't hold myself anymore it was so frustrating. One of the most dramatic surfing days of my life." "We need the south winds here in the coast, and it only happened that day. The rest of the time was west winds, which is not bad at all, but you know, after watching epic Mundaka i's like having a beautiful nude woman in front of you for a day and you can't touch her."

The southerly Jet Stream meant the swell developed further south than has been typical of recent storms, bringing large swell to the coasts of Portugal and Central Europe and opening up less exposed areas of Ireland, Wales and England normally sheltered from more northerly systems. For Northern Spain the swell came in from a more westerly direction than is typically seen, stretching out the points and bringing classic contions for those in the know.

Fun waves at dawn greet the early bird (and the surfers).

Waxing up a 7'0 in preparation for the bigger stuff.

An empty one sneaks through.

Nathan Fletcher fresh from Belharra finds time to carve one off the top.

But doesn't avoid the dreaded paddle round.

Dane Gudauskas finds a small one.

The doggy door.

Mundaka lineup, just look at the chop inside the sandbar

Best day in three years and they call on the Basque Nationals.

The final coinciding with the low tide and the best pits.

The view upstream from the lineup.

Kepa Acero turning off the bottom.

The village which has seen a fair few sets roll through over the years.

A racy wall welcomes a willing participant, a Munkaka local delicacy.

Even on the small days there are tasty barrels to be had.

The Basque Flag flies proud in these parts.

The bars are filled with stories, and wall adored with surfing royalty.

Post surf 'pintxo' bar snacks unique to the Basque Country.