|
Got
good surf epics? Send em off to me directly. (See link below) Just make sure they're 650-700 pixels wide. NO bigger NO smaller. In fact if you have any questions about the size, email me first and I'll write back. Start shooting crackie!! Ralph Pic Of The Week |
|
If you want to access the Pic of the week from past weeks click here. Archives |
|
June
8 , 2008 We all know that Phil Edwards single handedly, took Longboarding to "a whole Nutha Level". In other words, it was Phil's contemporary longboad surf style that turned so many heads. Seriously, Phil Edwards, was the master of the drop knee turn, the squat and grab the rail style. He was in short, re-writing what surfing was all about back in the day. Miki Dora was the anti surf hero. However, Miki was as significant as anyone who ever paddled out into the line-up on a longboard. Miki was what Surfing was really about. In other words, he was a Rebel. Surfers are by and large slightly off the beaten path. Miki was something else, and he was as colorful a figure in our lifestyle, as much as anyone. Maybe more. You've seen and heard the stories. Dora was unlike any other surfer. Tom Curren came along in the 80's and became something of a National cult hero. Talented beyond anything we had ever seen before, Tom Curren could surf circles around 99% of the surfers all over the world. Yes, including Australia and Hawaii. Tom Curren became a super grom over night and then was propelled out onto the National stage where he continued to blow minds. And somewhere along the way, Tom became a man with principles and character. During the peak of his professional career, he refused to go to South Africa because of Apartheid. And then, he refused to put stickers (sponsored stickers!) on his board. Was Tom Curren the Rebel that Dora was? No, in fact, no one would out do Dora in the Rebel department. Besides, Tom Curren could surf the snot out of any size wave and and surf it good. Tom Curren is one of the world's Best Surfers Period. And I'm going to go out on a limb here, and just assume you all know who Kelly Slater is. Please tell me you know who Slater is? You have to. But if you don't...again, just stop reading this column. Don't make me have to cyber space my ass up through your computer and bitch slap your ass. Cuz I will. All kidding aside. This column is not about, Slater, Edwards or Dora. It's about Curren. Why? Well, perhaps you heard that Curren was in town last week? He's on a mini tour of sorts, traveling with local East Coast Surfers and his band. They are out promoting the movie Walking On water. A feel good flick about a couple of young Groms who travel around the world and surf great waves. And along the way, they discover the Lord and help spread the word about Jesus and the good word. ...depending on who you talk too, some folks dug the movie and the message. While others just dug the movie. And I suppose there are a few, who did not dig either one. But hey, that's what makes the world go round. Tom's band Noah also played and they were fun to listen to. Kind of a straight ahead 3 piece rock/pop scene. It was cool. But for me personally? Well,
I liked the movie and the band, And I was really looking forward to seeing
Tom again. And I was especially looking forward to seeing him surf.
Not just in the flick, but in person. In other words...at the Wall
in Hampton. I
know he did, cuz I was there, and I shot it. Now, before you get all giddy
with excitement, You need to understand, that the surf was small on Monday.
It was only waist high at best. But...Tom Curren was suited up
and was going to surf our waves in New Hampshire. |
And if someone were to tell me 10 years ago, that I would witness Tom Curren walk across the sand and head out to surf our waves at the Wall, with my son Max I would of laughed in their face. But, I witnessed that as well. In fact, I shot it. Because I am a musician I got to meet Tom Curren back in the 90's. We jammed together and exchanged music (CD's). I was playing pretty regularly with my band The Nor'easters. I ended up jamming with Tom in Rhode Island with Sid "The Package" Abruzzi and some members of the Pixies. It was fun and all, but I had secretly hoped that there was surf and we could of shared some waves together. And I was looking forward to shooting Tom surf. When I mentioned to Max that Tom Curren was coming last Monday and I needed help in lugging some gear for his band. Max looked at me and asked..."You mean THE Tom Curren?" It's funny because, everyone who knows anything about our Lifestyle/sport in the last 20 years, knows who Tom Curren is. I mean he is what he is. A Great freaking surfer. And anytime a surfer comes to town with the 3 time World Champion title hanging over his head, well, it's worth paying attention to. When Max and Tom were out surfing last week, a friend of mine stopped by to chat with me. He's a good guy, but he is absolutely clueless when it comes to surfing. His son is a beginner and he was out thrashing around in the water and he too was clueless that a three time world champ was sitting next to him. This
friend is someone I know outside of our world. In other words, he does
not surf and does not know anything about the lifestyle. He couldn't understand
why there was this mini buzz happening at 10th street that afternoon.
I knew that he was a serious Golfer so I tried to make a parallel to what
he we were experiencing to what he would experience in the golf world. But that's what it was like for a few of us. Hanging out with Tom Curren at the Wall was so cool. And honestly, the whole Walking On Water Crew was great. Yea they are heavily into Jesus and they preach it pretty heavy, but really, big deal. It's not like they were trying to sell us Crack Cocaine or anything. In fact, I spoke with Mike after the movie and explained to him that the reason that the majority of people did not raise their hands and praise Jesus is that they felt a little bit pressured. But I assured him that the majority of the people that were present that night, were all good people. That
they have good goodness in their hearts and souls and that's all that
really matters in the long run. He agreed. In fact, he even said to me
"I would not have put my hands up". And really...That's cool.
Most of us know where we are spiritually. Believe in the power of love. Mike
and Sarah Cropper's Mother Diane passed away on the same day
Tom Curren came to town. Again, the power of Prayer and Love can
help ease the pain and suffering of their loss. On behalf of the entire
Surfing community we extend our most sincere condolences. Remember
my friends...Surfing heals all wounds.... |
|
Yesterday
June 1979 Jim Clifford Surfing a Not so Secret Spot.
(Above)
That's Tom Curren on the left and Mackey V on the right heading out to
catch a few at the Wall.
(Above)
TC in the Z...no not Tom Curren. That's Tom Christo and his late father's
280-Z. TC and Eric Canon back out while Johnny Sav directs Dougie Fresh
into the next slot.
(Above)
KEANU ASING Boys div
(Above)
CHRISTIAN ENNS Open div.
(Above)
ERICA STEINER Girls LB Winner
(Above)
NAGE MELAMEDGirls SB Winner
Today
2008 Parting Shot...Say WHA--A-A-A-A-T? Above)
I think this is what they mean by a "Sign of the Times". 10th
Street.
 Click On Wave to Go Back to The Top.
|
(Above)
More nice lefts in the Tasman Sea. 
