Mundaka — brilliant wave, one of the best, but a bastard of a joint when it’s heavily crowded, which it has been every single time it’s broken since roughly 1891. Snagging a set wave from the point is almost impossible unless you’re a local pro or legend, and this may tempt you inside, often aided by a nasty current that impedes your escape to the shoulder when a proper set does arrive. Staying out the way can require all your effort and concentration, and guaranteed if you do find a good one to yourself there’ll be at least several frantically paddling obstacles in your path. It’s enough to drive a man mad.

Even pig dog specialist Aritz Aranburu can’t help but make the odd mistake as he weaves his way through the dense straggle. Rest assured, though, that he’s spent more time in the barrel — one thing he’ll never dodge — than anyone during the superlative early winter enjoyed by those who frequent the iconic Basque rivermouth. Film by Isio Noya, music by Motorhead, whose linchpin Lemmy Kilmister passed away last week.