Got good surf pics?
Send em off to me directly.
(See link below) Just make sure
they're 650 pixels wide.
NO bigger NO smaller.
In fact if you have any questions about the
size, email me first and I'll write back.
Start shooting crackie!!
Ralph Pic Of The Week

If you want to access the Pic of the
week from past weeks click here.
Archives

December 9th, 2007

I guess there's something to be said for not being a sports fan. And I suppose deep down, I secretly envy those of you who are not caught up in the Sportsworld. But then again, there's a whole lot more to being a Sportsfan than not. Of course, you would of had a hard time convincing my wife of that last Monday night during the Patriots Ravens game. That was the night my chest actually tightened like a vise. And for one brief moment I thought to myself..."Holy Shit...I'm having a heart attack!"

As it turned out...I was not (But it sure felt like it). Then I thought about what was at stake over watching a silly game of sports. A game that I have no control over, one way or another. A game that I allowed my 16yr son to stay up late and watch with me. Knowing that these late night antics would affect his performance in school the next day. And it did.

Yet, it was worth every tightening muscle in my chest and all the vile curses I shouted at the TV. Why? Because they won! The Patriots beat the Ravens in the final minutes of the game. Advancing ever so closer to the '72 Dolphins unbeaten season. It was worth it all.
The Patriots were 12-0 after that game. And my friends, I'm happy to report to you that the Patriots are now 13-0 after manhandling the Steelers 34-13. I mean...it wasn't even close.

Did I get uptight watching today's game?

Yes and no. There were a few moments for sure. But nothing like last Monday night. Today's game was more relaxing. I felt much better by the beginning of the 2nd half. The planets were aligned again. It was good to be a Sportsfan in New England. With the Pats 13-0 and the Red Sox are World Champions and the Celtics are on a roll as well. A roll? Hell, The Celtics are kicking ass and taking names out there. Football, Baseball and Basketball. We own it.

So while, I do envy those who could give a rats ass about sports...I wouldn't change my love for the local teams for nothing. Even if it means, I get a few anxious moments, that might cause me some discomfort.

It's a great time to be a sportsfan from New England.

Next week it's the Patriots vs JETS. Oh man is that game gonna be fun to watch. I'm going to go out on a limb here, and say the score will be 137-10. That's right. A good ole fashioned, revenge filled ass whooping. There will be cans of whoop ass being opened all day long.

Be sure and tune into that one. In fact, if Coach Mangenius doesn't get heckled into submission I will be very surprised.

So in closing about my Sports rant: I would hope that you New Englanders who live outside the region take advantage of our good fortune. In fact, feel free to rub it in. It's just bragging rights. Boasting about your local teams in a hostile environment is one of life's greatest pleasures. Go on, Piss a few friends off. This is what life as a sportsfan is all about. And if they give you any grief, just use my line..."Now why ya gotta be so hurtful?"

13 and O...and that's all they need to know.

 

Last week I reported on the successful Fundraiser for Gary Ritchie. And make no mistake about it, it was successful in more ways than just the money we raised. It was deeper than that. In fact, Gary personally wrote a thank you note and I will post it here this week.

"This message is to all who came and gave at the fundraiser. You all have my complete gratitude and heartfelt thanks. I hope everybody had a great time, I sure did! I was overwhelmed by the number of people who showed up and how generously you gave. I want to thank everyone who worked hard to put this on, including my family who was responsible for the food and drink, my girl Dee, who worked before, during and after the party. I want to thank the musicians who donated their time and services to play for us, they were great, all of them. To the man who was behind the whole thing, Ralph Fatello put this party together, good musician, good organizer, good friend, thank you all very much." Gary Ritchie 12-8-07

In short, Gary was pretty overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. I personally want to thank you all again as well. You guys are great.

You can still send a donation to:
The GARY RITCHIE Fundraiser
P.O. Box 192
Hampton, NH 03843.

Speaking of thank yous...I want to thank all of you who responded to my comments about that Big Headed bonehead from the West Coast who I wrote about last week. The guy who complained that I don't run enough California shots and that I'm too obsessed with those who live and die in New England. Thank you all for the many many positive feedback emails. You've just reconfirmed what I had hoped you all felt in the first place. Thank you all again.

And the irony of all of this? I'm posting a bunch a California shots this week. Unfortunately, none of the shots are his...oh well. Although, I must say, that I was saddened to hear about the West Coast Surfer who passed away during the Big Wednesday Swell this past week. Peter Davi was 45yrs old. He drowned while swimming in from Ghost Trees after losing his board. Speaking of irony.

I had just received my new Surfers Journal Mag when I happened to be looking at a photo of Ghost Trees (and I swear on my parents graves) and thought to myself. Someone is going to die surfing there. I mean the wave breaks so close to those rocks. It just looks hairball. I know it's mostly a Tow-In spot, but it still looks dangerous. Later in the day, I heard about Davi's passing. RIP Peter.

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 Stevie O finds a nice Hole
(Below) This wave was another shot from one of those big Swells from back in the late 80's. I shot this on my
GAF Super8mm movie camera but used the wrong film. I was shooting mostly KODACHROME 40 back in those
days. But my supplier only had the ECKTAchrome. The result was grainy looking funky look. But this wave was
pretty nice and if you look at the video clip this week you'll see the ride in it's entirety.,
Video Movie Frame Grab by R. Fatello 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 Mike Zap Paugh ABOVE FOR a SHORT
WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP from a soon to be released in 2008 called YESTODAY
VIDEO clip courtesy by SFOD R. Fatello

2007 Today NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 13-0

(Above) This man can hurt you by throwing a football. And if you put your cursor over his image...
... the other guy can hurt you if you catch a football.


2007 Today Gary Ritchie Last Summer (Before the Heart Attack)



(Above) Gary getting ready for the big Fishing trip.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Another shot of the local crew who came out on a cold windy winter night to support a friend.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD

2007 Today Late Fall, Early Winter Scenes



(Above) Brian Nevins goes North and scores the good white stuff.
Photo by Brian Nevins


(Above) Sometimes the white stuff makes you do crazy shit.
Photo by Brian Nevins




(Above) "Super Grom" 8yr old Kai Nichols Jamming a Big turn on a Big Wave for any of us. How many
of us would of loved to get a shot like this before you turned double digits? Better yet, how many of you
actually rode waves this big before you turned 10?
Photo by John Mackin


(Above) Sky Waves 1
Photo by Lenny Nichols


(Above) Sky Waves 2
Photo by Lenny Nichols



(Above) Sky Waves 3
Photo by Lenny Nichols



(Above) Sky Waves 4
Photo by Lenny Nichols

Today Dec. 4-5-6-7, 2007 BIG CALIFORNIA


(Above) Ghost Trees. The Day Davi died.



(Above) Ghost Trees horror. Peter Davi's friends...



(Above) There were places that held the big swell and made for total perfection.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man



(Above) Looks like fun (sort of).
Photo by Greg Klein



(Above) Looks a little crowded.
Photo by Greg Klein


(Above) Looks really crowded.
Photo by Greg Klein


(Above) Looks BIG...
Photo by Greg Klein


(Above) There's people out there.
Photo by Greg Klein



(Above) This does NOT Look like fun (to me).
Photo by Greg Klein


(Above) People seem to flock to potential disaster. My guess is there was a ton of footage shot this week.
Photo by Greg Klein



(Above) Can I say it looks like Pipeline?
Photo by Greg Klein


(Above) This guy Looks like Rick Griffin.
Photo by Greg Klein


(Above) Can I say this looks like Sunset?
Photo by Greg Klein


(Above) Holy Crap Batman!
Photo by Greg Klein


(Above) Hello.
Photo by Greg Klein


(Above) Uluwatu comes to California.
Photo by Greg Klein

(Above) That's a big ass wave. And that's a Big Assed Crowd.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man



(Above) Rolling through the history books.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man


(Above) Looks almost pretty...I'm sure it's anything but if you get caught inside.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man


(Above) I was just there about a month or so ago...It wasn't anywhere near this big.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man



(Above) This looks more manageable.
Photo courtesy of T-Szabo



(Above) Tony's spot.
Photo courtesy of T-Szabo



(Above) This is deceiving.
Photo courtesy of T-Szabo



(Above) That's a long way to paddle.
Photo courtesy of T-Szabo



(Above) Ex-Hampton Boy Kyle Howard takes a deep breath as he paddles out into contest surf!.
Photo by Corey Howard


(Above) Kyle warms up on a smaller wave.
Photo by Corey Howard


(Above) Kyle gets ready to pull in...
Photo by Corey Howard


(Above) Kyle backdoors a death trap.
Photo by Corey Howard


(Above)...as a result, Kyle breaks his big board...
Photo by Corey Howard


(Above) That's another big ass wave. And glassy too.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man



(Above) ...And hollow as well.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man


(Above) Meanwhile on Oahu....
Photo by Bernie Baker


(Above) The swell hit Hawaii before slamming into the West Coast.
Photo by Bernie Baker


(Above & below ) Big is big.
Photo by Bernie Baker




(Below) We have an outstanding crew of local Photographers who contribute photos all year long.
John Carden, Ed O'Connell, Bob Constentino, Christian Kozowyk and so many others.
These guys produce quality stuff for you and all of us really. If I can help these guys out from time to time
I will. I'm sure if you've seen many of these photographers work on this weekly, you can contact me or them
directly and buy a copy of one of these great photos. Keep that in mind all year long.

Meanwhile, one of our most prolific photographers on the Seacoast, who has had his work
published in all the major Surf Magazines and was raised right here in Hampton is offering a unique
Seasonal Gift Idea. (See below) Check out Brian Nevins amazing work at the following shops:
CINNAMON RAINBOWS, PIONEERS, and JBS. He's selling (20) 5x7 images under 8x10 White Mats. As
well as signed and wrapped. This is a onetime offer as Brian will not be printing anything else this
Holiday season. My advice is to get one of these before they are gone.




Today 2007 Parting Shot... Take a BIG GULP...and Hold Yer Breath!



(Above) Do I really need to write a caption here? I mean look at the dude ditching his board. This is a shot of
beauty and the beast.
Photo courtesy of MystoMan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Click On Wave to Go Back to The Top.