Produced in consultation with Dr. Tom Shand, Manly Water Research Laboratory

Images by Murray Fraser, Sprout Daily

If you've surfed on Sydney's Northern Beaches when a north or easterly swell is running, you'll know Manly is one of the most best spots to be. Between plenty of "in water" research, Dr. Tom Shand from the Water Research Lab at the University of New South Wales has been been studying the Steyne's seafloor and swell patterns to find out why. He teamed up with local photographer, Murray Fraser from Sprout Daily, to talk us through what makes Manly such a unique surf spot...

Open in full-screen for best viewing...

• AUSTRALIAN OPEN OF SURFING WITH BLACKBERRY 2012 Semi-Finalist and official BlackBerry reporter Laura Enever takes you around the Australian Open of Surfing.
• Surfection Co-Op Art Auction The Surfection Co-Op Art Lounge auction is officially open. Bid now to own a rare piece of art from one of 9 incredible artists, all…
• Banting And Fitzgibbons Claim Inaugural Australian Open Of Surfing Titles Matt Banting and Sally Fitzgibbons have taken out the Inaugural Australian Open of Surfing Pro today.
• Barros’ Beach Bowl Brazilian skateboarder Pedro Barros can expect a cult following in Australia after capping off a week’s domination at the Australian Open of Surfing Beach Bowl…
• Bigger, better, badder ... As if the idea of having a 12-foot skate bowl on Manly Beach isn’t crazy enough, Brazilians Pedro Barros and Bob Burnquist launched an aerial…
• Pro Junior Winners and 6-Star Quarterfinalists Decided At The Australian Open Of Surfing
• Lachlan Abbot,  Beach Bowl Am Jam champ! Skating’s next gen got a taste of the big time, with the Junior Am Jam shredders starring centre stage in the packed Beach Bowl.
• Current And Future Surf Stars Do Battle At The Australian Open Of Surfing The Australian Open of Surfing has seen surfing's past, present and future stars doing battle in front of thousands of fans at Manly Beach. Today…
• Top Seeds Post Big Scores at Australian Open of Surfing The Australian Open of Surfing at Manly Beach ran a full day of the Men's ASP 6-Star division, with the top seeds hitting the water…
• Coastalwatch Surf Forecast - Feb 16th 2012 The high pressure system located over the southern Tasman Sea persists as the dominant influence on conditions; maintaining calm, sunny weather across the coast on…
• Competition Intensifies At The Australian Open Of Surfing The Australian Open of Surfing at Manly Beach presented by Hurley and Billabong was treated to another exciting day full of surf action. Today saw…
• Just a little bit of history - repeating? Who was Australia’s first surfer? As a country steeped in beach culture, you’d think we’d know. Turns out, well, we’re not sure.
• Fantastic Day of Competition At The Australian Open Of Surfing The Australian Open of Surfing at Manly Beach presented by Hurley and Billabong was back on again today with small but fun surf on offer.…
• Brett Simpson, in stitches (but not laughing) First, world number 3 Owen Wright pulled out from the Australian Open of Surfing and now Brett Simpson of the USA has had to pull…
• World’s Best Female Surfers Light Up Manly beach At The Australian Open Of Surfing Today the Australian Open Of Surfing at Manly Beach presented by Hurley and Billabong saw the world's best female surfers hit the water and put…
• Day Two Of The Australian Open Of Surfing Delivers! The second day of the Australian Open Of Surfing at Manly Beach presented by Hurley and Billabong saw sunshine and stellar surfing with both the…