Sydney winters are usually characterised by strong sou-east groundswells, crisp offshore winds and clear bluebird skies.

The past couple of weeks have been anything but, with record amounts of rainfall, dull days and this week especially -  swell from the nor-east.

While this summeresque weather pattern is unwelcome for the majority of Sydney siders, surfers are revelling in the prolonged episode of large swell and favourable winds. Below are a series of shots taken through rain showers while a run-in with a rock shelf keeps me out of the water. //CRAIG BROKENSHA