December 24th, 2007

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!
Hope I didn't offend anyone with that greeting. But if I did...Happy Holidays to you! Seems pretty funny that people get uptight about something as simple as that. I know you've all heard it before, the "politically correct" Holiday greeting story. It's been beaten to death.

I've been guilty of falling into that category as well. There was a time in my life when I didn't want to offend anyone for so long, so I got on the Happy Holiday train. Turns out, my Jewish friends could care less. Same with my black friends. And the few Muslims I know? Well, they felt the same. They all basically knew, that my greeting was genuine. They knew,exactly how I felt about them, and that was all that really matters.

So I say, Merry Christmas to that.

Speaking of Christmas, there was a fun little swell out there today. On Christmas Eve, the waves came and offered some nice little green gems for those lucky enough to get them. It was cold though, even with the semi thaw. What was it 40 degrees?

Today's swell was a gift from the heavens. It was perhaps a special Christmas gift to all the local surfers. I mean to get waves like this on this day? There might even be a few leftovers tomorrow on Christmas Day. And I will be there. No matter what.

The faithful readers of mine, remember how I've mentioned from time to time, about surfing on Christmas Day and missing big family gatherings because of it. Well, this is the first Christmas without my mother, so in her honor, I plan on going out and catching a few.

I'll think about how she used to give me a wink when I showed up late for dinner and gifts. My mom was hip to the whole Surfing lifestyle. She knew it was bigger than anything in my life. My dad would shake his head, and my mother would give me a wink. I miss em both.

So for all of you who have lost loved ones this year. I'll be thinking of you, and I hope you find the true spirit of this holiday, and you somehow and put it to good use.

If it means going surfing...well, I'll see you out there.

Well by now, you've all heard about The Patriots vs Dolphins. They won. They are 15-0 and moving closer to the blessed '72 Dolphins unbeaten season.

Like I said last week, it's a bittersweet victory. I liked the 72 Miami team. And I also said that I am a bigger fan of New England. I want the Pats to continue on this historic run. I want them to go UNDEFEATED. 19-0. There I said it.

I also know that there are hundreds of you out there who feel the same. No matter where you are, if you're from here New England, the Pats, the Sox and the "C's" are your team. Same with the "B's"...they just need a little jump start.

Don't forget the brave Americans serving our country on this holiday. Army, Navy, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guard. Keeping an ever watchful vigil on our nation. Think about them. And think about the many surfers in uniform as well.
Seriously, there's plenty of surfers who serve in the military
who happen to be in a war zone. From Iraq to Afghanistan.
And I'm sure there's a bunch from New England. Don't forget them, or their families.

A BIG Thank you and Happy Holidays to all our Photographers out there. Especially, the HardCore regulars like: John Carden, Ed O'Oconnell, Brian Nevins, Bob Constentino and Lenny Nichols. Thank you all.
YOU guys make this site rock.

Thanks again to all of you for the many kind words and Holiday Greetings. I really appreciate your positive feedback and look forward to hearing from you. May all your Holiday wishes come true. Remember, to help someone out this season. Put a smile on someone's face. Make someone's day. Give a wave, get a wave.

Once again, Merry Christmas to all! And hope you all have a GREAT 08!

Check out Brian Nevins NEW Website. www.briannevins.com
Brian's work is insane.

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 1972 Jay Hammer at the Wall.
(Below) Jay Hammer stopped by my studio late last week. He had just flown in from Hawaii. Jason is a LtCol in
the US Army and a hardcore surfer. He surfs on the North Shore of Oahu all the time and gets a kick out of busting
my balls by calling me on his cell phone every time he paddles out at Lanis (my fave wave out there).
Before serving in the Army and doing a tour in Iraq, he used to live and surf around here. He misses New England,
and enjoys coming home every now and then. This video frame grab is from an old Super 8mm footage that my Maine
man Ed O'Connell shot back in 1972.
Personally, I love the classic old movie footage. And I was beyond stoked to find out that Ed is sitting on a bunch
of old footage. Expect to see many weeks of this stuff coming up.
Video Movie Frame Grab by Ed O'Connell

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 Mackey V surfing the Wall today. FOR a SHORT
WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP from today. December 24th, 2007
VIDEO clip courtesy by SFOD R. Fatello

2007 Today NEW ENGLAND SURF (ALL Pics Shot today 12-24-07)



(Above) Looks familiar eh? Same angle as last week, but different time.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD

(Above) Yep the same set...same spot same everything.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Merry Christmas. Shot today 12-24-07.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD

(Above) Snow walkers. Ho ho ho no mo snow.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Brian floating the sleigh on a one horse open board.
Video frame grab by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Lighting up the Christmas lip!
Photo by Brennan Natoli



(Above) Same guy, same move, different wave.
Photo by Brennan Natoli



(Above) Hey this move works for me. He must either be a friend or relative.
Photo by Brennan Natoli



(Above) I love this photo. Is this a Holiday Greeting card or what?
I mean look at this thing. It's got it all going on. John Carden should sell these.
John Carden is one of the nicest people I know. I know good people when I meet
them. And John's one of those guys you meet for the first time and just know in
your soul, that he's a good person. He's on Heaven's guest list.
Photo by John Carden

2007 Today Some Other East Coast Images


(Above) Merry Christmas From Kevin Doherty.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Doherty



(Above) Would you like to find this under the tree on Christmas morning?
Photo courtesy of Kevin Doherty



(Above) Nice wave. New England? Nope. New Jersey.
Photo by Andrew Daher



(Above) Jersey got surf. And...it's a tad warmer.
Photo by Andrew Daher



(Above) Actually, this looks cold. Never mind. Nice wave. New Jersey.
Photo by Andrew Daher

(Above) Jon Gozzo snapped this after last week's Pats Vs Jets game. This was after the 1st qtr pick
and TD run.
Photo courtesy of Jon Gozzo

2007 Today Troppo Scenes...what are you waiting for? Get a plane
ticket and get your ass outta here!


(Above) Hawaii. North Shore. Any questions?
Photo by Bernie Baker


(Above) Yea it's small. But not for long. Hawaii.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) Matos in Costa Rica.
Photo courtesy of Jon Gozzo

(Above) How bad do you want something like this? Matos in CR.
Photo courtesy of Jon Gozzo

(Above) Matos all wrapped up like a Christmas present in Costa Rica.
Photo courtesy of Jon Gozzo

(Above) Cape Ann Man Kadri inside an Ulu wave. Dam...that looks like fun.
Photo courtesy of Kadri

Today Dec. 24th, 2007 Merry Christmas

(Above) This is my house. Or rather my home. The spirit of Christmas lives here with us..
Photo by R. Fatello SFO

Today 2007 Parting Shot...There's always Snow Surfing!



(Above) If this is not surfing in the snow, I don't know what is. Best snowboard shot I've ever seen.
Photo courtesy of the Internet

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