(Or more accurately, in between the storm fronts.). A lovely sunny day, clear sky, just a light wind (now northerly) and, as expected, the southerly swell with attached surfers. To be a Wellington surfer I think you need to be patient, optimistic, and cold-hardy. Having moved from a place which had much more reliable surf beaches, I was bemused at first to see the wet-suited surfers of Lyall Bay waiting, waiting...
Looking southwards where the waves will come from - near the seawall at Lyall Bay.
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59461914b6ac507c7c511495/t/59461a7d8eaa89cff0c49d92/1350370242583/1000w/20121016_lyallbaysurfers_0001.jpg)
Not a great wave, but two surfers catch it while the others will wait some more...
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59461914b6ac507c7c511495/t/59461a7d8eaa89cff0c49d93/1350370488607/1000w/20121016_lyallbaysurfers_0003.jpg)
Riding a wave - it looks so smooth when the skill is there!
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59461914b6ac507c7c511495/t/59461a7d8eaa89cff0c49d94/1350370734307/1000w/20121016_lyallbaysurfers_0002.jpg)
As the waves get closer to the beach the wind catches them, creating "horses' manes" of spray.
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59461914b6ac507c7c511495/t/59461a7d8eaa89cff0c49d95/1350370844553/1000w/20121016_lyallbaysurfers_0004.jpg)
The foaming waves meet the beach in a dramatic veil of spray - the northerly is picking up, I think!
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59461914b6ac507c7c511495/t/59461a7d8eaa89cff0c49d96/1350370941091/1000w/20121016_lyallbaysurfers_0005.jpg)