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Got
good surf pics? Send em off to me directly. (See link below) Just make sure they're 650 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 |
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If you want to access the Pic of the week from past weeks click here. Archives |
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May
4th , 2008 Of course, I tried to justify that comment by saying, that a lot of you have the same sliding schedules. Or so I thought. Because, as Earl would say..."That's when Karma caught up to me". I was unintentionally rubbing it in that I scored good waves during the week while the masses were at work and at school. And boy did Karma jump up and bite me in the ass. I woke up Sunday morning and felt like a dam truck ran me over (another Earl reference). Albeit, I did not end up in a coma. I did however, remain in bed all day long. Every muscle in my body ached, and I felt my stomach doing flip flops all day long. Oh yea...it was not pretty. In fact, it was down right nasty. All day long, I made the constant run for the bathroom. Cursing myself each time. And the worse part? Hell you already know that. The surf was building. That's right, the surf was coming up on a weekend and I was going down for the count. I did not leave the house for two days. And
I was
keenly aware of what was going on down the street. Through the various
phone calls from friends, not to mention, my son going back and forth
to the ocean. Changing suits. And checking in on me every now and then.
It was bad. Because that's when the photos started to trickle in. The
wind had switched on Tuesday afternoon and things were looking
(on my computer) pretty dam good. Ed O'Connell sent in his first
batch. I almost choked when I saw the first photo. Dam...that looked good.
As a surfer, I was bummed that I missed surfing, but as a photographer/videographer,
I was equally as bummed. Now is that bad karma? Nah, That's just plain ole Comedy Karma. |
Speaking
of Karma. Both good and bad. This week we had a few reports of when Karma
goes bad. I think because the schools were on vacation, and there was a
new swell building, it made for a bad mix. No doubt when it gets crowded,
things can get testy. And honestly, this is true all over the world. We
are not unique to this kind of behavior. When you think about it, surfing is one of the only sports that is not regulated. And by that, I mean by any authoritative types in uniform. And before I go on here, I am certainly not advocating militant authority out in the water. Hardly. I think there is a pecking order of sorts at certain breaks, and again, I'm speaking about all over the world. And I think there needs to be respect all around. Both young and old. Shortboards and longboards. And even the new SUPB's...there has to be. I'm ashamed to say that in my (way) past, I may have said or did things out in the water, that would seem by today's standards, inappropriate. I'm not proud, or happy about any of them. I will say, that as of recent years, I have tried (and I think successfully) to be more tolerant of others. And I really believe most of you have as well. After all ..what's the saying? "You can't fight City hall." And it's true. The sport, or lifestyle, or whatever it is you call it, is not going to go away. There will be more and more people surfing each year. I guess what I'm saying is, we will all need to be less aggressive. More easy going out there. However, we do need to be clear here on the Laws in New England. Especially the one called assault and battery. In other words, if you lay a hand on someone, or cause them harm, you could be prosecuted. For what? Surfing? If we were in Hawaii, and you assaulted some local guy, or some local kid, you had better be on the first plane back to the Mainland, because there will be hell to pay (before the law gets involved). That's just bad karma with a Capitol "K". I would also hope, that some of the local surfers who happen to witness this kind of behavior against one of the locals, would step up and defuse the situation. There's just zero tolerance for that kind of crap. Absolute Zero tolerance. I think when it gets that crowded and tense, we would all do well, if we were to, all step back, take a deep breath and just simply relax. Or as the infamous Rodney King once said.."Can't we all get along?" Yes we can Rodney...yes, we can. Happy Birthday to Jay Gould on May 7th! Happy Birthday to my man on west Tony Szabo (May 9th!) And a SPECIAL Happy 18th Birthday to Leah Grondin May 8th and Happy18th Birthday to Gabby Fatello May 9th! I don't remember how old Jay is, but I can't believe that Gabby and Leah are turning 18! Wow. With Gabby and Leah turning 18 it just blows my mind at how fast the time has swept by. All you parents with babies and toddlers believe everything that other parents tell you. In the blink of an eye, they went from cute babies to 18yr olds driving cars and heading off to college. It's true. But Leah and Gabby...I Hope all your dreams and birthday wishes come true. Speaking of Birthday Girls, I just now got back from the NE Regionals in Montauk, LI in New York and was witness to Nohea Nichols placing 1st in the Women's Division. In fact, there were quite a few local NNE members who went and placed in the Finals. Starting with young Kai Nichols who was a finalist in the Menehunes. While Colby Pearson made the finals in Mens LB. And the old guard did well too. Kevin Grondin, Lenny Nichols and Bob McNeil all brought home trophies from the contest. I
have to tell you all, that the ESA is truly a fun family experience.
It is. Now I know some of you are saying that's BS, I'm telling you otherwise.
It's fun. And although I do not compete, I have fun watching the kids
surf and I am blown away at some of the talent that comes out of the East
Coast. Now before you start scoffing at that, think about a certain
individual who came from the East Coast and competed for years
in the ESA and then went on to accomplish something that no other
living surfer has ever done. How does 8 world titles sound? You
know who I'm talking about. Mr Kelly Slater. It all started with
the ESA. Please
help out Local Surfer Mike Keefe's Granddaughter and Jacko Keefe's
niece Bella by sponsoring this Fundraiser we would all be grateful.
She's one of those cute triplets that you see walking along the ocean.
Kally's the mom and she did a great piece check this out. Remember
my friends...Surfing heals all wounds.... |
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Yesterday
1990's Happy 18th Birthday to Gabby & Leah!
2008 Hawaiian Spring Pics from Bernie Baker
Today
2008 Parting Shot...Summer's coming...LOOK OUT! Above)
OK if this shot does not remind you of things to come this summer, nothing
will. Check the leash action
 Click On Wave to Go Back to The Top.
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