So I heard a few rumblings around the globe this week about
my bold comparison of New England waves looking like Pipeline. So I took the liberty of creating a little photoshop lesson for you non-believers. Now keep in mind, there is nothing fake about these photos, except I did change the color of the water, and I did use the actual beach at Pipeline.

The first photo is the one I ran last week. That's Jake Davidson and Max Fatello in the photo.



This second photo is the EXACT same wave. Except I changed
the color, and I airbrushed the wetsuits off of Jake and Max. I stuck the photo at the beach at Ehukai (Banzai Beach) where Pipe unloads on the reef out in front. So...does it look like Pipe now? Well? BAM! CASE CLOSED.

Like a lot of you, I was stunned and saddened when I heard the news about Junior Seau this week. May 2nd, 2012 Junior took
his own life.

There were rumors about why he did it and other theories about head injuries in the NFL. For those of you who don't know who Junior Seau was, he was an incredible NFL Football player. Just
a tremendous amount of talent as a Defensive Linebacker. He played for the San Diego Chargers, the Miami Dolphins, and
then the New England Patriots.

The Patriots named him a captain in the 2007 season.

He was on the team of destiny. The 2007 Patriots team. You
long time readers of this blog know how I feel about that year and that team. But Junior's role was huge. He was brought in
as a motivator both on and off the field. He called everyone "Buddy" including owner Robert Kraft. He was loved by every
one. The fans adored him, the players all respected him. He
was for all on the outside" living large." Popular, good looking, financially stable, and playing in the NFL.

But like a lot of players at the end of their career, the emptiness that follows that exciting lifestyle can bring on the darkness.
And that darkness is very real. It is both physical and emotional. Depression can at times feel like a cold wet blanket, just suffocating you. Squeezing the life out of you. And unless you
are a professional, or so completely tuned into a person
suffering from this, it is often hard to spot.

By the time it surfaces, it's usually too late. That was Junior's case.

I can't tell you how many times I have written and said these words, but suffice it to say it has been numerous. "Surfing Heals All Wounds." And while I know that Surfing is not a cure for those who are truly sick and suffering it is a reprise from the stress
and suffering that one might feel when he or she is sick.

I say all of this, because Junior Seau was one of us. A Surfer.



From what I've read and heard over the years, Junior Seau
loved surfing. He loved it. In fact, he had a home directly on the beach where he surfed. But surfing was not enough to save him. The darkness came and closed out the light of the sun, and the surf, and Junior gave into it's temptation.

Suicide. A permanent solution, to a temporary condition.

If only he could see beyond the darkness, that there was hope
up ahead. That there was something worth living for. If only he had a deeper love for living. Love. God. Anything but the darkness. If he could only see the pain and anguish his death
has caused his parents and family. His friends and teammates. His fans from all over the world. And those who surfed with him on a regular basis.

Junior, if you could only see that there is a lull...and you can still paddle out, that you didn't have to give up. That there was just
a few more yards. To keep paddling. Keep paddling Junior. Don't give up.

If any of you feel like life is not worth living. You need to stop
and look around you. See the love that is there. See the pain that you would cause. Look beyond your own pain and see what you would do to those you leave behind. I know that is selfish.
But it's true.

Seek help. Seek faith. There is medication. There is faith.
There is hope.

There is a sea of love waiting for you...you just have to believe there is and open your eyes. There is much to live for. Don't give up. No matter how bad things seem to be. No matter how dark it seems. Never ever quit. Anyone can quit. That's the easy thing
to do. It takes courage and heart to see it through. Fight it.
Stand up and fight. Do not give up. Keep paddling...

Somebody out there loves you. Believe.



Rest In Peace Junior Seau.