The water photographer hook up...

Unless the wave is a compact and predictable reef hooking up with a well-ridden barrel is one of the hardest things a photographer can do. And pulling off a good one in long, double-overhead and shifting waves is a worthy acheivement. Any attempt involves non-stop swimming, multiple beatings and plenty of 'almost, but not quite' images.

Here's one where the photog got it right. Victorian Steve Arklay positions himself perfectly to capture good mate, Darren Wilcock, as he sets up and races a beautiful wave. For his part, Darren does his best to stay concentrated on the job at hand, knowing all the while that Steve has hooked him up on a screamer.

Sequence by Steven Arklay.//STUART NETTLE