February 24, 2008

Surf and snow. Snow and surf... This New England Winter is chalking up to be one for the record books. Not that this week's (double) swell was anything to write home about. It was not. But, it was something to ride on home. And I could easily jump on the ole Pun Wagon and throw out some stupid puns like last week's Valentine feast. It was after all, PRESIDENTS Day. And some of you actually had the day off. Plus we're smack dab in the middle of a very hotly contested Presidential race...but alas my friends.

I shall refrain from such nonsense.

Even though I could skip right over the Presidential puns and use the Lunar Eclipse puns instead. But again, I am going to bite my tongue and let the puns go. Release the Puns! No wait. I mean, Hold the Puns! See what I started here? I've confused my damself! Dam.

I will mention the surf though. And it was what I said it was. Fun and acceptable. Another week. Another swell. We could all get used to this trend. Especially if it kept up right into the dreaded Summer months. Now that would be something. Dam the Global Warming fears. If it means we get surf every week, why not turn a blind eye to the ever warming world?

Oh come on, I'm kidding.

But how about that Lunar Eclipse? Did you see it? I mean, it was cold out there, but I managed to shoot some video of the Big Orange Moon! It was pretty cool. Don't know what I can use the footage for, but I have it. The thing about Eclipses is...after a about 20 minutes or so, it gets a little tired. Especially this one. I mean, I froze my ass off standing out in my lower driveway, shooting the moon. (No I didn't just say that?). Oh yes I did. But you know what I'm talking about.

So there I was this morning, clearing the snow off my vehicle for the hundredth time this winter and wondering how the surfers in Hawaii and Cali would react to our world. I mean think about it. Our daily winter routines would send a shiver up their collective spines. They simply could not handle it.

I mean they could eventually. We all do.

I'm talking about the initial shock. The snow and ice. I was working the straps of my surf racks through the snow and ice and thinking to myself "This is absurd!" Surfers should not be dealing with this. And stepping through the snow in my booties. It's just not what surfers are supposed to be doing.

Yet, we do it winter after winter.

If you want to surf round these parts from December thru March, you gotta suck it up, and strap on the winter suit then take a big breath,and go for it. There's no easy way in. I had some group of beach walkers ask me the million dollar question this afternoon as I was trudging thru the snow to join Mackey for a quick afternoon sesh.

"Are those wetsuits the same ones they wear for diving in the summer?" This one woman asked me. "No Mam. These suits are a bit more flexible." I answered. " But do you still get cold out there?" "Hell yes! It's freaking February!" They all laughed.

All except me. I was too cold to laugh.

Speaking of Presidents...I heard earlier today that Ralph Nadar was throwing his hat into the 2008 Presidential race. I mean why the hell not? After all, that other powerhouse candidate Dennis Kusinch dropped out. What the hell's wrong with these guys?

I hear that Fidel Castro has stepped down and replaced himself with his younger brother Raul...who's what 76 years old? Hello? So much for Cuba getting out from under the Castro dictatorship. Now, before some of you start questioning why I would care one iota about Castro and Cuba all I have to say is this. Have you seen where Cuba sits in the Caribbean? Are you kidding me?

There's Surf there!

And for us East Coasters it would be another EASY Surf destination. Think about it. That whole North-Northeast side of Cuba is ripe for Surf. We'd have another tropical surf locale at our doorstep. Now we have to wait until Raul resigns and see who he appoints. Don't get your hopes up though. Chances are he's gonna put some same thinking Dictator in there. All that surf going to waste. These dam Commie countries are messing things up for us surfers.

Why does Castro have to be so hurtful?

So it's February vacation. Everyone we know is heading either for the tropics, or the mountains. Like I said. Snow and surf. The skiing and snowboarding has been all time this year from what I hear. Great conditions and little crowds. I plan on sneaking off for a couple of days with the kids to do a little snowboarding. We're more into the surf style of snowboarding than we are the jumping and flying thru the air stuff. So have fun wherever you go.

Just remember to take some photos.

On the good Happy news department. There's a new Surfer Girl on the Seacoast. Jay and Angela are the proud parents of Maya. I believe she was born on Tuesday the 19th of February. Congrats to you both! I bet she's beautiful. And as soon as you guys get me a photo of your little girl, the sooner I can post it.

On the Happy Birthday report. Lenny Nichols had a birthday on Friday the 22nd. Lenny has joined ranks with the half century club who can still surf the shit out of most swells. The bigger the better for Lenny. Happy B-Day Len.

And Phil Carey had a birthday on February 23rd. Phil who's number two dog at CINNAMON RAINBOWS and an all around good guy who gets his fair share of waves is still a young pup.

Speaking of pups...my dog Scout turns 11 on February 27th. Happy birthday Scoutie. We love you, even if some of the family think you stink up the house. Gas bag.

Please support all the talented photographers who contribute their work here every week.

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 1978 Doctor D's Big Bottom Turn
(Below) It's hard to believe that this image of Kevin Grondin is 30 years old. But it is. I know it.
Cuz I shot it. This day was magical in so many ways. Kevin got so many barrels this day. Two of
which sent me and Jay Hammer sprinting back to our vehicles to rush back home to get our wetsuits
and boards to join him. It's funny how 30 years later we all remember the two waves that were not
captured on film. That's surfing in it's purest form. Remembering a good surf session.
With NO documented proof.
Video Movie Frame Grab courtesy of SFOD




2008 ALL Photos BELOW taken TODAY. Sunday Feb. 24th, 2008

(Above) Max and I showed up at the Wall at 3:00PM this afternoon and this is what we saw.
Any questions? I didn't think so.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello


(Above) So we waxed up in the snow.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) And we hit it.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello

(Above) "Dad put the camera down and let's go! Enough already."
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello


(Above) When out of the sun and snow who should appear? Why it's Ed O'Connell and his camera gear!
Mackey working his tired frame off the bottom. *MVF competed (Wrestling) the day before (2-23-08) in the
Meet Of Champions and placed! He won 4 matches in a row and his last one went into over time.
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) I had no idea Ed was shooting on the beach. But I'm glad he did.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Lenny Nichols feeling pretty good after celebrating another birthday! Happy B-Day Len!
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Lenny's daughter Nohea grabs a rail and drags a mitt.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Lenny's Son-in- Law Steve Rafferty pivoting the Big Board back. *Stevie wanted me to know
that I misidentified him a few weeks ago. Sorry brother. Just quit riding Lenny's board and quit
being a Goofy foot! Ha!
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Mike Moran takes a winter stroll.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Nobody surfs like Mike Moran. NOBODY. He is in a league of his own.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Like I said. Nobody rides a LB around here like Mike Moran.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) I'm sure I know this guy...but then again, I might not. Strolling on a Sunday Afternoon.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) The blogger on a little squirter.
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Keep yer eye on the bird at all times!
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Mackey V forgets how sore he is. It was fun in the snow and sun. *Put cursor over image.
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) Max (right) at yesterday's Meet Of Champions. Enroute to four straight victories. *Check the
stance and see the surf connection.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello

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 Joe Hurley from the Valentines Day swell for a SHORT
WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP from the Soon to be released SFOD movie TEMPEST!
VIDEO clip courtesy by SFOD R. Fatello

2008 More Winter NEW ENGLAND



(Above) The Lunar Eclipse on Thursday Feb 21st, 2008 at 10:00PM
Video Frame Grab by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Unknown during the early week Presidents Day Swell. Nobody's complaining about this.
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Markey J into a dark chocolate dream wave. From the Valentine sesh. *Click to see viddy.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello

(Above) I've known Phil Carey for a long time. Yet I had no idea his birthday was on Feb 23rd.
That day is the day the Marines raised the Flag on Iwo Jima. My uncle was there and a few other friends.
Regardless, Happy birthday Phil!
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello

(Above) 63 years ago. February 23rd, 1945. The Marines raising the Flag on Mt Surabachi. 6,000 Marines
lost their lives on IWO JIMA. The battle lasted another month after this photo was taken. Semper Fi Mac.
Photo by Joe Rosenthal

(Above) Happy Birthday to our dog 'Scout'. February 27th. Seen here pointing a gamebird.
Scout we love you even if you are a stink bomb and you eat all the kids socks.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello


(Above) I don't know why Kevin "Knoxie" Knox needs help. But I know Jimmy Dunn,
and if he thinks this is a worthy cause, well, that's good enough for me. Besides these guys are
some of the funniest bastards on the planet. Please help out .
Poster courtesy of Jimmy Dunn


2008 Tropical Winter Surf

(Above) Down south in Panama, near the Soon To Be ANNOUNCED Stan Chew SURF Resort...
a MUST SURF destination for ALL New England surfers. Stan sends this photo of a spot called Silverbacks.
Photo courtesy of Stan Chew

(Above) To hear Stan speak about Panama, gets the blood pumping and the stoke through the roof.
With photos like this, it's easy to see why.
Photo courtesy of Stan Chew

(Above) Meanwhile back in Hawaii. The Boogie boys were having at it. Paulo Barcellos flying.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) Jeff Hubbard twisting and flying.
Photo by Bernie Baker



(Above) On the West side scenes from Buffalo's contest. Kimo Leong styling for points and smiles.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) Kalani and daughter Keala Vierra tandem. West side Buff contest.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) Daddy don't drop me! A new way to Hanging Five.
Photo by Jeff Crawford


(Above) That's one hollow wave.
Photo by Jeff Crawford

(Above) I am...you're Backdoor man!
Photo by Jeff Crawford

(Above) More Boogie contest. If you could surf Pipe with just 4 others at this size, but you had to use
a Boogie board... would you? Me? "GIVE ME THAT SPONGE AND GET OUTTA MY WAY!"
Photo by Jeff Crawford

(Above) That's a Big Wave, and I'm sure it looks bigger lying down.
Photo by Jeff Crawford

(Above) This is Jeff's son Everest creating some wild Natural Art. North Shore fun.
Photo by Jeff Crawford

(Above) Believe it or Not. This is in HONG KONG. 15yr old Canadian Surfer Andrew Guillot sends these
two NEVER seen before photos of Hong Kong. Funny, it looks like a summer day at the wall.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Guillot

(Above) HONG KONG in China. 15yr old Canadian Surfer Andrew Guillot making the best of a Good day?
Photo courtesy of Andrew Guillot

Today 2008 Parting Shot...HAND SALUTE!



(Above) For the record. I always salute at least ONCE during every session. This particular salute is for
all the birthday wishes, the new born babies, my son's MOC placing, the recent passing of Tom Christo Sr,
and finally, the anniversary of the US MARINES Flag Raising on Iwo Jima 63 years ago yesterday.
Ready two!
Photo by Ed O'Connell

Click On Wave to Go Back to The Top.