As last week drew to a close questions were being asked in the surf communities of coastal Western Australia. The basis for all them was this: would the swell that was bearing down on them live up to expectations?

And the expectations were undoubtedly high. No swell in recent times - be it on the west coast or the east coast - has had as much hype, and that always sets alarm bells ringing. Yet by midday Thursday those watching the data closely knew something good was unfolding in WA. Just before 12 o'clock local time the Cape Naturaliste buoy started recording 22 second forerunners. The early signs were very promising.

Friday dawned to a big but slightly raggedy swell. Murmurs of over-hype were heard in the carparks and lineups, yet this swell was always going to be a long form affair that unfolded over days. The sheer breath of the fetch out there in the Indian Ocean dictated it so.

South-west surfer and photographer Peter Jovic watched the waves all morning. "About lunchtime the ocean really started to pulse, and at dusk on Friday arvo a set come through at North Point...well, it actually wasn't a set, there were about 20 to 30 waves, just non stop. It was just massive and it washed everyone in. Bodies were bobbing around in the water like ten pins."

Over the next two days the swell would wax and wane in intensity, and the winners would be those who paced themselves and matched its rhythm. Huge waves were ridden at North Point, the Margaret River bommies, and The Right, while perfect waves were found in WA's many sheltered coves and crannies. Of course there's been bigger swells in WA, but to have a swell of this magnitude break under bluebird skies and on a weekend is a rarity indeed.

Here are some early images from a swell to remember.

Mainbreak Margaret River, Saturday morning, by Anthony Pancia

Margaret River Bommie, Saturday morning, by Anthony Pancia

Mark Mathews, The Right, Saturday, by Russell Ord (@russellordphoto)

Taj Burrow, North Point, Friday, by Chris Kenny (@souwestchris)

Stacked lines at North Point by Jamie Scott (@jamiescottimages)

Sunset Beach comes to Cowaramup, Saturday, by Clivus Multrum

North Point, Saturday, by Joel Nankivell Southwest Saltwater (@southwestsaltwater)

Dave Delroy Carr, North Point Friday, by www.surfingmargaretriver.com

Taj Burrow, North Point, Saturday, by Misha Merzliakov

Mainbreak Margaret River, Sunday, by Anthony Pancia

Plenty of size in the north-west too. Photo Matt Cattle.