Yancy Spencer's dead. I know that sounds crude. But I just found out last week that Yancy Spencer had passed away. He died while surfing at Malibu. I did not know Yancy personally. But I knew of him for as many years as I can remember. I followed his career in the magazines. I never saw him surf in person. It was just photos. Always it seemed on the Gulf Coast. I'd read his ads for his Surf Shop Inner Light and see that his two sons and daughter were following in his footsteps. In a way, we sort of mirrored the surfing lifestyle. Yancy in the Gulf Coast and me up here in Northern New England.

The big difference between us was, he was a competitor, while I on the other hand have never entered a single contest. Still I followed his career. Yancy was 60 yrs old.

He started surfing in 1965. I found all this out recently after learning of his passing. He had found Jesus and had fully accepted him into his life at an early age. And like most who have walked that same path, his life was fulfilled. The thought that he had been surfing when he passed is in a way, special. Unlike Andy Irons who passed away in a Dallas Hotel Room by himself. Yancy was out surfing on a beautiful day, on perfect waves. As a surfer you have to smile at that. I guess if any of us had a choice, as to how and where we would spend our last moments on earth, my guess is, 90% of us would choose surfing in the ocean.

Yancy spent his last moments on this earth, surfing Malibu.

I do not know what the conditions were like that last day. But I read that he had called his daughter and told her "that it was a beautiful day". His last words to one of his kids was talking about the surf. Why did he die? Why did Yancy Spencer, who just a few months earlier have his doctor tell him that he had the heart of a 30 year old suddenly die of a massive heart attack? I don't have the answer. I do know, that life can be so fleeting. And we all really don't know when our time is up. Yancy Spencer died while surfing perfect waves. That sounds like a blessing to me.

Rest in peace Yancy Spencer.

Like that 16yr old High School Basketball player Wes Leonard who died last week shooting the game winning basket in Michigan. Clearly he died doing what he loved. But again, that is just the most tragic story. To lose your life at such a young age. His teammates were so distraught on TV. It was hard to watch. God rest his soul and provide comfort to the family and friends of that star Basketball player.

This was a week of sad news. Leroy Grannis a Surf/Photographer pioneer passed away and Jimmy Blears a Hawaiian surf legend also passed from this earth. Leroy "Grannie" Grannis lived a good long life. I mean he started surfing in 1935. He was 93 when he passed. That's a good run. Anytime you can reach 90 and keep going that's living your life to the fullest. He had a distinct lens that he called the Bazooka. It was a long black lens that went on forever. Any surf photographer worth his salt should tip their hats to Grannis. He helped pave the way for a lot of surf photogs. Rest in Peace Grannie.

Jimmy Blears was a longtime Lifeguard at Sunset and a respected surfer on Hawaii's North Shore. He was 62. I can remember seeing photos of Blears in the mags back in the 60's and 70's. He was a competitor. He won the World Championships in 1972 at Oceanside California. It's funny how you think that certain Surfers will live forever. Jimmy died in his sleep in Hawaii. Rest in Peace Jimmy.

This column is becoming " The Obituary Column". Because I am not done yet.

There are three local passing's that I need to bring up. First, because I am a pet owner, I feel for anyone who loses a pet. Especially if I knew the pet. My good friend Tony Berardini lost his Bernese Mountain dog "Blue" last week. Blue was such a loving Bernie. She was 9 years old when she passed. She never knew that she was an adult dog. Blue thought she was a puppy her whole life. She was a good dog. Rest in Peace Blue. Run those beaches in heaven and don't worry about Tony...just keep running.

My good friend Ansell Palmer passed away this week. I went to visit him at the rehab center where he was going through a rough time. I dropped off a card for him. He never opened his eyes the whole time I was there. He was transitioning from this world to the next. I saw it and recognized it clearly. He was 91 years old. Ansell lived a good life. He was a WWII veteran who's sister Rita also a WWII Vet made history. His sister Rita was a Nurse in the Philippines when she was captured by the Japanese. Her story was made into a movie. She was badly wounded but survived the whole ordeal. Ansell was so proud of his sister. She passed away in 2002. Rest in Peace Ansell.

Finally, this past week another tragic loss. Local surfer Drew Clark lost his sister Kristen "Clark" Rhoades in a snowmobile accident. The details are not yet available, but early reports have Kristen's sled suddenly accelerated and hitting the side of a car port. She was thrown from her sled and hit a tree. She was killed instantly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our dear friend Drew and his family over this loss. I know I've written this a million times in the past. But I'll write it again for my friend Drew...

..."Surfing Heals All Wounds."

Drew if you're reading this, you need to get out into the ocean and let her heal you. It won't be instantaneous, but a gradual healing. Let the water rush over you. Become one with the ocean and a higher calling. Whether it's Jesus, God, or something else. Let the powers that be, help guide you back to a place, to where smiles and laughter of your sister Kristen, fill your heart and soul. And know, that she is home again.

May all the souls of those who passed away this past week, rest in peace.

Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
Wait did our President actually say something about Qaddafi Duck in Libya? He did. President Obama came out (finally) and said that Looney Bird Khaddaffi must step
down. He even ordered ships with Combat Ready Marines into the region. Maybe someone slipped the President a copy of the report of the PAN AM 103 Lockerbie Bombing? That NUT job Kaddaffi had his hands all over that Terrorist Act.

Americans were killed on that plane. Don't forget that.

The whole Middle East is erupting as the domino affect of Freedom and democracy has taken hold. I think President Obama is realizing with each passing week, just how much of a drag it really is to be president. I mean, who wants that job? And honestly? I don't see anyone on the horizon who can fix things. Both at home and abroad.

Watching all this madness on TV is disheartening. Thank God for surfing.

Speaking of Looney Birds, can we give it up for the King of Celebs? Charlie "Winning"Sheen! That was some entertaining programming last week. I'm not really a big Reality TV fan but I have to admit watching Charlie was amusing. Look I know he has issues. He's a substance abuser. He's got some serious brain rewiring needed, but I found him to be funny at times. I kept bursting out with laughter with each interview.

I have to admit, that I find the whole celebrity thing amusing as it is. Like they actually mean something and have something important to say. They don't. They are in the entertainment business. And I found Charlie Sheen's rants last week very entertaining. I have never watched a single episode of Two and Half men. Not a single one. But I would watch Charlie being Charlie a few more times. Am I right people?

If you can take anything out of last weeks crazy ass rants it's the positive "WINNING" theory. I don't know if youth coaches will be quoting Charlie in the Locker rooms across the country but he does make a valid point about winning. Maybe the Marine Corps can use some of his words of wisdom as motivation going into combat. He did say WINNING with Violence. That's combat.

"Look Marines, I want you to take out the Taliban with WINNING VIOLENCE!"

OK last week I cursed the four Americans who died at the hands of those Scrawny assed Somalian Pirates. My wife thought I was a bit too harsh on them. Maybe I was. But then the news of the Danish family came on the TV. Once again a family has been captured by Pirates in Somalia. Only this time they had children with them. Look does anyone out there who own big sailing yachts not realize that Somalia is a BAD sailing destination? Hello? What the hell is going on? STAY AWAY FROM SOMALIA!

If I were President Obama I would have our ships patrol that coast and have our fighter jets just cruise up and down the coast and take out ALL the pirates. I mean Pirates? Poor Johnny Depp. He must be all upset with this bad publicity about Pirates. Those Somali Pirates are giving Hollywood Pirates a bad name.

Speaking of Terrorists. That attack on US Servicemen in Frankfurt this past week? Yea, well that was an act of Terrorism. Anytime some loser shouts out "Allah Arkbar!" While shooting at Americans? Yea, that's Terrorism. Call it what it is. Terrorism.

Finally it occurred to me that the ultimate Reality TV show would be to have Momar Qadaffi interview Charlie Sheen with the Somali Pirates providing security. Be a whole new take on a Maury Povicth type show. The "Qaddaffi Duck Show" with Guest Host Charlie Sheen.

Now that's a Pay Per View that I think we can all agree on.


ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE RUN REDUX IS OUT! Pick one up in the shops or email me and order one directly or go to www.surffreeordie.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

GO SEE THE SURFERS Skate against the BOSTON BRUINS Alumni on Sunday March 13th at the Whittemore Center at UNH. See the poster on this column! This is to BENEFIT The MOLLY Fund!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jane McCarthy March 5th, 2011!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Erin Mace March 6th, 2011!
Rest In Peace BLUE, beloved Bernese Mountain Dog of Tony Berardini.
Rest In Peace Yancy Spencer III longtime surfer and all around good guy.
Rest In Peace Leroy "Grannie" Grannis Surf Photog Pioneer.
Rest In Peace Jimmy Blears Hawaiian Surfer/lifeguard.
Rest In Peace Kristen "Clark" Rhoades sister of local Hampton Surfer Drew Clark.

GET OUT IN VOTE on March 8th! Vote YES on Articles 6, 10, 11, 18, 19, 26, and 29.
And Vote NO on Article 20.



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Remember my friends...Surfing Heals All Wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph