August
23rd, 2004
Can you say "Keep your mouth shut?"Last week I opened my mouth about
our active Hurricane Season and ever since I did, the tropics have shut down.
Sorry. But none of you intelligent readers really believed I had anything
to do with this do you? Come on!
Speaking
of weather...how about those wild Thunder and Lightening Storms? Yikes! Some
of those boomers had my house rocking! It was intense to say the least. Nothing
to fool with those electrical storms. I hope all of you are aware of the dangers
involved with Lightening. Take it from someone who knows...there's nothing
funny about 'em. Suffice to say. If you hear Thunder and you're out surfing
GET OUT OF THE WATER.
How many of you saw the flick RIDING GIANTS last week? I don't know about
you, but I'm not exactly thinking I'm ready to surf something like that. Big
wave surfing is a whole other animal. Especially Mavericks and Jaws! Are you
kidding me? That wave at Mavericks looks scary from every angle. It just don't
seem right.
And those waves at JAWS? I don't think so.I don't care how many jet skis and
helicopters are buzzing around you. You get caught by one of those waves...you
are on your own. And that Freak of a wave in Tahiti...as many times as we've
all seen that thing it still sends a shiver up my spine. That thing is SICK!
Yesterday.
JACK "Jacko" KEEFE
Jack
Keefe has been surfing the Wall as long as anyone I know. Consistantly surfing.
Year after year. Swell after Swell. He owns that sandbar between 8th and 6th
street. Everyone knows and respects Jack. Respect-that's the key word. If
you're Jack's friend, he has your back. Just like you have his. This image
is from the movie Surfing the Soul. It's late 70's or very early 80's. And
Jack is in control. Again.
Video still from the Movie Surfing The Soul by SFOD
If you
got good surf pics send em off to me directly.
Just make sure they are NOT huge files. In fact if you have any questions
about the size, email me first and I'll write back. Start snapping your buds!!
Ralph Pic Of The Week
Today.
SNOW CAPPED TAKE-OFF 2004
Taken last week in New Zealand. Andrew says his friends were getting the longest
rides of their lives this day. Not hard to believe. The world is a big and
wonderful globe. You owe it to yourselves to go out and seek places like this.
Just remember to be good to those who came before you.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Rea and by SURF.CO.NZ
Out of
that whole room full of surfers at the Music Hall the other night, there was
only one person in that audience who could relate to that movie. Jay Gould.
He's the only person I know who's surfed BIG Mavericks. At one point during
the movie I looked over my shoulder at Jay and he was transfixed on
the screen like a stoked Grom. Grinning from ear to ear. I was shuddering
at the thought of getting caught by one of those monster Maverick sets and
Jay was thinking just the opposite. Jay...he's so stoked on life and surfing.
Jay had a great opening at the New Flatbread Company in Portsmouth
two weeks ago. He was beaming all night. He was in his glory at the movie
too!
But life
has a funny way of balancing things out. Last week, Jay was dealt a stunning
blow. His beloved father Bud passed away. Bud was one of the best. He was
one of the World's Greatest Generation. Bud served proudly during WWII.
A true, classic, individual. Everyone who knew Bud, loved him. Everyone. He
lived on the ocean and loved every waking minute of it. He was a loving husband,
father and grandfather.
He passed away listening to the sounds of the Ocean.
How beautiful is that?
On behalf of the entire Surfing Community, we want to extend our sincere condolences
to the Gould family.
Until next week....Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
