Over the last week a succession of large Atlantic storms, named Ophelia & Brian made land fall along Europe’s western facing coastlines, sending epic waves reeling off in ever direction.
Unusually favourable winds accompanied both storms in various locations, seeing classic waves breaking at some of Europe’s best spots, including the famed beach breaks of south-west France, Mundaka, and Supertubos, where the Rip-curl Pro kicked off in crazy conditions as Brian hit on Saturday.
The UK and Ireland also enjoyed a battering from the swells, however the howling SW winds made finding a spot a little more challenging. However waves were ridden an enjoyed from West Cornwall to Brighton, and everywhere in between. We’ve gathered together a selection of images from the two swells from around the British and European coastlines for your enjoyment:
Big clean barrels adorned the coastline in southern Portugal. Photo Lensofxare
Francisco Porcella navigates a bomb at Nazare. Photo Bruno Aleixo // WSL
A big splash in Wales. Photo Aaron Parsons
Pegleg Bennett drops into a meat one in South Cornwall. Photo Sarah Bunt
Mundaka lights up on one of the only named storms of this winter so far in the Atlantic, Storm Ophelia. Photo Luke Gartside
Luke Hopper finds a clean runner at Newquay harbour wall. Photo Newquay Wave Factory
A thick lipped beast somewhere in North Cornwall. Photo @olliesweetphoto
Zeke Lau taking off on an absolute bomb during round one of the Ripcurl Pro. Photo Laurent Masurel // WSL
Little sheltered corners all up and down the south coast as Brian struck on Saturday. Photo Luke Gartside
Maxime Huesnot slips into a bomb in South West France. Photo Xabi Eyheramendy
A super sheltered little point lights up somewhere in south west England during storm Brian. Photo Mark Bracey
Going off?
Want to share your photos? If you've got a great gallery of your local spot email us [email protected].
