October 31st, 2009 36 out of 37 weeks of surfable waves.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The other day, I was leaning against the Wall, and just sort of taking in the action. Both in and out of the water. I was as comfortable and content, as I've ever been there. I looked around me, and couldn't help but notice, how cool it was to have this long piece of cement, as sort of our "Bar". You know what I mean. To be able to walk up and lean against the Wall and check the surf and just hang with your friends. I was so taken with this simple act that I needed to actually write about it. Clearly there's a long history at that 2 mile length of cement and surf. I didn't name it CEMENTLAND for nothing.

That Wall of Cement and the surf in front of it, is the gathering place for all swells. Coming and going. And that Wall and the way it sets there is just so unique. I mean think of what it would be like if that wall was not there. Where would you put your gear as you got in and out of the vehicle? For me, it's home. I lean against that Wall and relax. I'm not really standing, and not really taking a load off my feet. I am in some sort of limbo state. I shoot photos and video from that position. I can see just who's out there and who's not. I can see it all. From 6th Street down to 18th Street. And yes, I stake my spot at 10th Street. 10th Street is for all intents and purposes, reserved for Locals. Now I don't mean that in a negative way. I mean it in the historical sense.

For as long as I can recall. The Surfers at 10th Street ruled the roost.

From the early 60's and Randy Radkay days, right up to today. The locals own 10th Street. And again, that's not to say that only Locals use 10th Street. Hardly. Lots of people walk up and down those stairs. But those who stop and hang, are usually those who have earned that simple passage, of this unofficial Brotherhood. And it is earned the old fashion way. Some by skill or talent. Others by just being part of the crew. And by crew, I do mean Crews. For there are many factions or splinter groups, who use that zone as their own.

Rarely is there trouble there. When everyone knows everyone, it's easy to feel that you are part of something. I know I do. My family was raised at 10th Street. That's their beach. It's their safe zone. They police it, both the trash and the riff raff. On Sunday afternoon I was watching as John Savastano, Mike Moran, Adam Coates and Rick Evans all stood there and chatted. All different skilled level surfers. But all had one thing in common. 10th Street. And there are literally 100's of surfers who feel the same. Some still surf, others have moved on. Some check in every now and then, and others who have moved to other surf destinations will, from time to time, stop and fondly think of her.

That long stretch of sand and cement. God I love the Wall. And really, who can honestly say that they have nothing good to say about the Wall? (I said honestly). All my closest friends and associates can be found there. It's like that make believe bar in the old TV Show CHEERS. Even my friends who claim they hate surfing there, will occasionally stop and hang out with us. And why not? The Wall. Where the surf is always consistent. And up there at 10th Street, where generations of surfers have held court, there is laughter and constant ribbing of one another. A stronghold of sorts. As strong as the Wall itself. And long after we are all gone from this earth, there will undoubtedly be new surfers, and new moves. But that Wall? Well, she will always be there.

The Wall. A place for surfers and their friends and families.

Speaking of the Wall...man that swell on Sunday, October 25th and Monday, October 26th was soooooo much fun. It was clean all day long, and the water temps were surprisingly tolerant. Hell, it was plenty warm. I saw some people with no gloves, and most of us peeled off those rubber hoods. Just think. We were surfing with No hoods in 50 something degree water temps while those candy asses in California were wearing hoods in 70 degree water. I will never get that silly scene. Hoods, but no gloves or boots? Huh?

This Thursday October 29, 2009 had another swell hit. The wind was wailing on Wednesday and sure enough, she was blowing out of the North again. By daybreak on Thursday, we had another swell at our doorstep. Back to back Nor'easters. Tis the season my brothers and sisters. Tis the freaking season. You know, you really have to love October. I mean really...if you don't like this month, you are out of touch with so many of us. We Surfers here in New England love October. All 31 days of it. Hell, I even went off after surfing on Sunday and took some foliage shots.

Oh hell yea I did. I'm not ashamed of our foliage. *See my Foliage gallery below.

I still get that amazed reaction stirring in my collective soul, whenever I see a tree that is full of electric leaves. On fire with yellows, reds and oranges. The smells of Autumn. I love that. I will never grow tired of being amazed at our Fall colors. Ever.

That's because I love October.

Now for some of my weekly Global observances:
So let me get this straight. Two Northwest Airline pilots miss the destination airport and fly an hour past their designated landing time, because they were on their laptops? Are you freaking kidding me??? Look I may be a little old fashion here but, pilots who are in charge of your safety at 33,000 freaking feet in the air, better be paying attention to what the freak is going on around them. This whole texting and IM'ing each other constantly is getting out of control. If I were on that flight and caught wind of that BS, I might of gathered some volunteers and stormed the cockpit and smashed those damn Laptops. I mean is that just nuts or what?

All my kids text each other constantly. It's like my world revolves around beeping cellphones and nonstop texting. I jokingly ask my youngest daughter if when she sleeps over her friends house, if they actually sit on the edge of the bed and text each other. They giggle, but sheepishly look at each other. So my guess is, they do. I'm not one for texting. My wife found old texts on my cell phone that were over a year or two old. Hey I don't text. You know, "Don't text me bro!" I use my cell phone to speak with human beings. But I don't text.

Although, I do email the snot out of everyone I know.

Looks like the Yankees are gonna pull this one off. Poor Pedro could not get the win the other night. And the Yankees are now up 2-1...as much as you hate them you have to give credit where credit is due. They earned it. You have to earn 'em...and they earned it.

But enough about them....how about them Patriots?

Another shellacking last week in England. This time it was against the Tampa Bay Bucs. Another losing team. It's hard to get excited by beating a team with a losing record. But I did. Hell, we need every win. Just like my son's High School Football team. The Warriors. They needed every win to make the play-offs, and it looks like that's happening. All they need to do is, beat a winless team next week, and they get the 3 seed in Division II. As it is right now they are the 4th seed, and would have to face a powerhouse team. But a win next week, and they are in for an easier (yet still very difficult game). Which brings me back to my original statement. Beat the losing team into the ground, so we can advance. Don't feel bad for the losing team. They wouldn't feel bad for you.

Once again my old coaching motto
If you're losing - Don't Give Up. If You're winning -Don't let up!

This just In. Check out JIMMY DUNN is in the NFL TV Spot:
Guess who's in a TV commercial that ran during the World Series this week?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24MZcKtps1w&feature=player_embedded

Good Luck to the local Seacoast High School Football team the WHS WARRIORS
this weekend. Beat Spaulding! Friday November 6th to get that 3 seed slot in the Play-Offs.
Happy Halloween October 31st!
Happy Wedding Anniversary to Tony and Lynne October 31st!
The 2010 Chris Shipley Local Surf Calendars are now in the shops.
Finally a BIG GET WELL shout out to Linda Paugh. And a Happy belated Birthday to
Mike "Zappy" Paugh-October 27th.

PLEASE HELP THE NH SURFRIDER FOUNDATION.

*Check out the updated DROPPING IN ON RALPH blog Section.
*Molly Video by Joe Carter has been moved to the Community Page.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week
every week for the last 6 years.

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

Ralph

(Above) Unknown banking off the glass lip. Friday, October 30th, 2009.
Photo By Ed O'Connell Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) October beauty. October 29th, 2009.
Photo By RALPH Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) October Sunset. October 29th, 2009.
Photo By RALPH Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

Today- 2009 Sunday, October 25th, 2009
*Click on Photos Below To See Photo Galleries

(Above) Last Sunday was soooo much fun. October 25th, 2009.
Photo By RALPH Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) MVF cutty. October 25th, 2009.
Photo By RALPH Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) Nose master Mike Moran. October Sunset. October 25th, 2009.
Photo By RALPH Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) October Sky Riders. Sunday October 25th, 2009.
Photo By RALPH Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) Have you ever seen such a thing? Sunday, October 25th, 2009.
Photo By Ed O'Connell Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) Is this what they mean by a three Ring Circus? Sunday, October 25th, 2009.
Photo By Ed O'Connell Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) Tom Woods on one of his Best Ever Wall waves. Sunday, October 25th, 2009.
Photo By Ed O'Connell Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) I love this shot. Unknown slotted. Sunday, October 25th, 2009.
Photo By Ed O'Connell Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

(Above) Another gem from the Lens master. Sunday, October 25th, 2009.
Photo By Brian Nevins Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery and more.

RALPH'S VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK BELOW.

RALPH'S VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW
FOR a VIMEO VIDEO CLIP. See CHOWDA HEADS shot on October 19, 2009 by RALPH

CHOWDA HEADS from Ralph G. Fatello on Vimeo.

Today 2009- The BLATANT DROP IN of The Week. 10-25-09
CLICK IMAGE BELOW

(Above) All Rise: 10th Street District Court of Surf Justice is now in session, the Honorable Judge Ralph G. Fatello presiding. Today’s case #28 is the laid back longboarder (plaintiff) vs. the flying shortboarder (defendant). While on the surface, this case appears to be a typical Blatant Drop In proceeding, it may have further far reaching implications and may be appealed as far as the Supreme Court of Surf Justice. Just click on the CRIME SCENE and see for yourselves.
Click on the image above to see the complete DROP IN Sequence. Photos and Words
By Ed O'Connell

(Above) Guess who's in a TV commercial that ran during the World Series this week?
Local Surfer/Comedian Jimmy Dunn!. Click it to wtach it.

(Above) The TRUE Aloha spirit. October 29, 2009 Oahu
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) Felipe Pomar is 65 years young. He paddled into this wave. REPEAT: He paddled into this wave. To see it all, click on the photo. Indo.
Photo by courtesy of Felipe Pomar Click on the photo above to see Gallery

(Above) Ben Ginsberg packed his camera gear and left the 54th Street Madness scene for a few days and this is what he found. We can't say where. But we can show it to you.
Just click on the image to see it all. Photos By Ben Ginsberg

(Above) A sneak peek at Southern New England. COMING NEXT WEEK.
Photos By JACKSON

(Above) I was premature in my last column by saying I would explain this popular series. The current Invisible Surfer Man Series, has been extended another week until VETERANS Day week. The V-Day connection all ties in with this most peculiar story. Meanwhile, please feel free to manipulate the Invisible Surfer Man.
*Put the cursor over the photo to see the Real image.
Photo by RALPH

Today 2009 PARTING SHOT- Halloween Vampire Surfers

(Above) Seems like everyone's into the Vampire scene these days. Happy Halloween
Photo by RALPH