2010 was anticipated to be one long hurricane party for the Atlantic Ocean. Back in the spring, East Coasters were talking about the warmest equatorial water ever, the phased out El Nino pattern, and dying trade winds.

By the time mid-August came around, those ripe early season fruits were looking to be rotted by the summer sun. But then they started spinning. Oh, did they! Danielle came dancing across the ocean. And as quick as you could find your thicker leash, Hurricane Earl looked like a chainsaw with Fiona, and Gaston in his wake, and then Hermine wailing into the Mexico and Texas coasts.

LuskBrett Barley had just driven through five states and surfed three of them, only to get home and get shacked on the Outer Banks.

The swell was mostly Danielle and Earl, back-to-back bangers. The switch went on, and wave hunters from Florida right up to New Foundland were on it -- taking in reports, driving through the night, and eventually tearing into gifts from the tropics.

Now that you've had a second to catch your breath, check out our first Hurricane Gallery » of 2010 while we wait for that next round.