Stu Nettle

By my reckoning the last time the lower East Coast got hit by a swell of any significance was March 6th. That's the last time I had cause to walk to the far end of the board rack. Yeah, we've had some mid-range swells - including the ten days of Easter swell - and the odd south magnet has raked in some acutely directional Southern Ocean beef, but it's been a long time since the whole coast was bathed in big waves.

But that's what happened this Saturday and Sunday. A long range groundswell - topping out at 15 seconds, correct me if I'm wrong, Ben - hit Saturday morning and built through the day. It ran headlong into a perfect nor-wester, the wind even laying down for an arvo session of pure silk. The swell was still strong on Sunday and the wind, at least everywhere outside the northern Illawarra which was very strong offshore, was again fantastic.

Not only did this swell break the drought but it did so with an accuracy that every cube monkey should be thankful for: it hit Saturday morning, dropped Sunday arvo leaving plenty of memories for the working week.

This gallery will be updated over the coming day.

Justian Goode edging in late during an epic paddle session 50 or maybe 100 kilometres from Sydney CBD (Photo Brad Whittaker)

One of many great waves Boogs VandePolder paddled into on Saturday (Photo Brad Whittaker)

Boogs charging for the cause...

...and relishing the effect (Sequence Brad Whittaker)

An unridden gem on the lower Hunter (Photo Trevor Anthoney)

Unknown surfer enters the bowl section at the above wave (Photo Trevor Anthoney)

The Red Bull Cape Fear comp didn't run on Saturday and you can argue that decision all you want but the lack of surfers provides some clues (Photo Dazz White)

Few crew paddled out on Sunday but - Dean Jamieson locked in (Photo Brad Whittaker)

Saturday, 11:55am, Northern Beaches (Photo Simon Hayward)

Midday perfection (Photo Simon Hayward)

Give a guy a chance (Photo Simon Hayward)

Bad decision, Kiama (Photo Phillip Winterton)

Ellis Nichol late but composed, about 100 kms give or take from Sydney CBD (Photo Clarrie Bouma)

Hedgey breaks out the Bushman midday Saturday (Photo Clarrie Bouma)

Styling to the very end (photo Clarrie Bouma)

Rissole dragged himself away from the Island (Photo Brad Whittaker)

Matt Griggs during the moment in between (Photo Brad Whittaker)

Tod Laurence, Shark Island (Photo Brad Whittaker)

Unknown punter heading for a scalping, Shark Island (Photo Brad Whittaker)

Beautiful drop after midday Saturday (Photo Dazz White)

Last legs in the city on Sunday (Photo Dazz White)

A couple more of Boogs VandePolder just because (Photos above and below Brad Whittaker)

And finally, here's how Swellnet forecaster Craig Brokensha spent his weekend...