December 17th, 2007

We could hear the waves pounding on the beach last night as we turned our faces away from the biting wind and sleet. We were shoveling the wet "cement" like slush for the second time during the course of the day. The first was during the soft powder stuff. Then, we could use the snow-blower and get most if it up. But being hearty New Englanders, we knew that if we didn't do the clean-up mission late last night, we'd be shoveling frozen chunks of ice this morning.

Sure enough, the land of frozen ice and snow had blanketed our region like it has a million times before. For those who have no idea on what our winters are like, if you don't shovel and get rid of the slushy, wet, snow and ice the day before, the next day will be near impossible to break through the chunks of ice. Forget about it.

But getting back to the waves.

"The surf has got to be big." I said to Mackey V in between shovels."But the wind is gonna come around hard tonight and slowly, but surely, kill this swell. We'll be lucky if there's anything showing in the morning."

Sure enough...the morning light gave way to the frozen ice and snow, and the remnants of the Big December Storm. Still, there were a handful of hearty souls who at 7:30AM were clamoring into their 6mil suits to paddle out into the blustery conditions. The sun being out had little, to no affect on how cold it really was. I even saw a woman go by, fully suited up for the frosty morning nuggets.

It was at least head high. But it looked cold. Because it was. I was cold snapping photos. My fingers were freezing even with gloves on. Oh yea, it was cold. I spoke very briefly with a young surfer who was amped into getting out. He was going through a short check list of making sure there was no potential leakage problems.
Hell, he had a modern day winter suit. It wasn't like what we had to deal with when I was his age. Still, better safe than sorry. Any zippers not pulled tight enough could be the difference between a fun session and disaster.

I started to think back about my hardcore early days.

How many times had I paddled out into conditions like this in my life? Too many to name. For sure those days at an unnamed reef come to mind. How many days had I surfed in full on Nor'easter conditions, from November-March. Sometimes alone. Snow, ice and sleet.

But I used to love it. I mean, I was borderline obsessed with that particular break. I have not been back there in quite sometime. There used to be a handful of us who surfed it regularly. The brothers "B" who lived nearby had cut their teeth on that reef. And there were a bunch of the original crew who had hung in there for many years, including "you know who". But for the most part, the names and faces have changed, but I'm sure that reef remains the same.

Winter Surfing...I've got so many fond memories.

Speaking of weather. The Patriots vs JETS. The game that supposed to be "The Game" was anything BUT. Still, I can't imagine what it must of been like playing football in those conditions. I mean are you kidding me? It was nasty out there. And I don't care how accustomed you are to certain weather conditions, it's still too dam hard to play to your best ability. And it cracks me up to hear fans complaining that Brady didn't do this, or Brady didn't do that. Hello? We won! Maroney ran for 104 yards.

This from a team who didn't have a running game a few weeks ago. Isn't the object of the game to WIN? So, if we win with Brady throwing to Moss and company, or, we win with a ground attack, are we still not winning? Of course we are. (I hope I'm not losing you non sportsfans here.)

But alas my friends, the Patriots are 14-0 after beating the JETS 20-10. And we are closer to the '72 Dolphins unbeaten season.

I will say that I was slightly disappointed to hear that the Dolphins won yesterday. Why? Well, call me crazy but, I wanted the Dolphins to be winless coming to Foxboro next weekend and the Patriots to still be undefeated. That game would have all kinds of drama written all over it.

I mean think about it.

The winless Dolphins playing the undefeated Patriots. The Dolphins have a chance to save their heritage (72 Dolphins record) by beating the Pats. And the Pats have the chance to make history. Well...(and I do mean this) I could live with the Dolphins winning one game this year and have it be against the Patriots. I could see the poetic justice in that game. I am an old fan of the 72 Dolphins. It's true. That was a GREAT team. Unbelievable.

But, I am a bigger fan of New England. And now that the Dolphins have won a game, well, I'm back on track with the Pats and I'll be rooting for our boys to continue on this historic run. I want them to go UNDEFEATED.19-0.

But for the time being...the New England Patriots are 14 and O...and that's all you need to know.
Get Well shout outs to Danny Driscoll and Phil Maloney!

The Landon Miller Fund is still taking donations through ANY Citizen Bank.
Or PLEASE send your donation to:
The Landon Miller Foundation
83 South Road
North Hampton, NH 03862
Click below to see Danny Tribute or see Danny Surfing
Tribute to Danny. North By Northeast

Remember my friends...Surfing heals all wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

I

Yesterday 1987 Lil Ralphie Get's One.
(Below) This is another wave shot from that same swell back in 1987. It was shot on my GAF Super8mm movie
camera. My friend Robin Rowell shot it standing up on the bluff overlooking the break.I owe him to this day because
of it. Back in those days we actually took turns shooting footage of each other.
Video Movie Frame Grab by Robin Rowell c/o SFOD

RALPH'S VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK.
CLICK ON THE PHOTO IMAGE BELOW FOR SHORT WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP.
VIDEO by SFOD R. Fatello

(Above) CLICK ON Video (photo) Frame Grab of Mattie Evans running out to a solo session FOR a SHORT
WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP from NORTH BY NORTHEAST, a SFOD movie released last year, which
would make a great Christmas Gift (Hint hint...sorry for the shameless plug).
VIDEO clip courtesy by SFOD R. Fatello

2007 Today NEW ENGLAND SURF Shot this morning 12-17-07



(Above) Looks pretty. But I can tell you, it was cold. As in VERY cold.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD

(Above) Yes those are waves out there. And yes...NO ONE was out.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) You could of surfed this alone this morning. Taken at 8:30AM.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD

(Above) Johnny Meehan when he still had feelings in his feet.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Empty cold ass waves.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Look frozen? That's because it is!
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) There were a handful out at this popular spot.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Like I've said in the past...they don't call it the Wall for nothing.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Hell yea! Why not duck dive a few 32 degree waves?
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) It was so cold and empty.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD

2007 Today Ed O'Connell's 12-17-07 ShotsTaken this morning



(Above) Nice pocket shot Ed. *Ed were you sitting in your vehicle when you took this?
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) Look at that glistening bowl! Or is that ice on the face?
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) If you waited long enough you could get a fun one.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Stalling in the ice bowl.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Look out the back. Nice little set pouring in...lucky SOB all by himself.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

2007 Today Last Fall Scenes



(Above) These just came in this morning. Shot last Fall.
Photo by Gerado Tona

(Above) Step off and paddle.
Photo by Gerado Tona

(Above) Nice sunrise. Feels warm just looking at this.
Photo by Gerado Tona

(Above) Mid morning glide.
Photo by Gerado Tona

Today Dec. 4th, 2007 BIG GHOST TREES CALIFORNIA

(Above) This is something beyond my scope. This is the day Peter Davi died.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man


(Above) This is just plain nuts.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man

(Above) Take out the lone surfer and pretend this wave is only 6-8'...now we're talking.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man

Check out Brian Nevins NEW Website. www.briannevins.com
Brian's work is some of the best on the Planet. No kidding.

Today 2007 Parting Shot... Taken yesterday.



(Above) This was me yesterday before the Patriots game. No need to explain this scene.
Photo by Gabby Fatello SFOD

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