January 27th, 2008

The cold wind blows and the seas begin to rise...again.
There's a monster swell coming. And it should be here in all it's glory and gore by tomorrow. Come Tuesday, the wind will switch and the tribe will descend on this new swell and have at it.

Another week. Another swell. Gotta be liking this kids.

This one looks like she'll stick around for a few days. So if you miss Tuesday, Wednesday looks good. Hell, Thursday's looking good as well. Just be careful out there. You know, watch out for each other.

This is a funky time of the year for a lot of us. Some of you have flown the coop and are now applying sun screen in some tropical location. Some of you are applying sun screen in some outer limits snow bound locale. While others are hanging tough locally. Surfing and snowboarding right here in the Northeast.

And there's nothing wrong with that.

Especially with the gear that's available in both sports. Between the high tech wetsuits and the high tech snow gear, there's no excuse for anyone who's left behind in the cold northeast not to get out and get some kind of action.
You just have to commit. One way or another. Head for the mountains, or head for the ocean.

They are both within your reach.

I was telling a friend the other day how I was able to Surf, Snowboard and Skateboard all in the same day back in the early 90's. Oh yes I did. I surfed in the morning, then shot up to Gunstock and snowboarded in the afternoon, then came home and was able to skate at a nearby hill that evening. Now, I didn't say I was killing it at all three sports. I just mentioned that I did it all in the same day.

And I did.

I stopped by the shop today and Dave and I watched the New England Patriots Rally this morning. We couldn't help but notice that Tom Brady was not only NOT limping and NOT wearing a cast, but he was smiling and appearing to know something that we don't know. Like he had some inside look into the crystal ball, and he saw the end result of this amazing year unfold before his eyes. In fact, the whole team seemed very confident.

The Rally was held in the driving snow before thousands of adoring fans. Or I guess you could call them, hardcore lunatic fans who don't mind hanging around in a snowstorm to get a glimpse of this historic NFL Football Team. It was pretty neat to watch.

Crop and I think it will be one of the most exciting SUPERBOWLS ever witnessed. So all you NON NE Sportsfans, will at least watch the SUPERBOWL. I mean you have to. I believe it's in the constitution. Every American MUST watch the Superbowl. If you don't, well..."You're Stupid."

I'm kidding...(NOT!).

So here we all are on the cusp of the SUPERBOWL week with a raging storm that will undoubtedly produce a few SUPERBOWLS as well. The last time the PATS were in the Superbowl, we had a similar swell that hung around for a week. In fact, I made my WINTER 05 movie during that time period. We may have another repeat. Superbowls both in the house and in the ocean.

Now that's, what we're talking about.

I got quite a few emails about the American Idol Tazor column last week. If you remember, I mentioned that the security forces working off camera might want to be armed with Tazor guns due to the fact that some of the contestants won't take no for an answer. My thinking was to ZAP em when they refused to leave. Besides, wouldn't that also boost the ratings? Hell yes it would.

I also mentioned that Life Guards should carry Tazor guns during the hot flat Summer Months. And then I mentioned that maybe, they would allow me (because I'm qualified) to carry one in the water.

Of course I was joking...or was I?

Some of my buddies, would get a little chuckle out of seeing me paddling around the line-up with a water proof tazor gun. I don't know why they would. Cuz I'd tazor their asses too! Hell yea I would. Because it's the Law!

Speaking of laws. Can we please get a law that at the very least, hands out heavy fines for Abusive Cell Phone use and or, Text Messaging use WHILE DRIVING? I mean hello? I know I am not alone when it comes to this massive and widespread abuse. I mean it's crazy. I see people on cellphones in every driving condition known to man. Look, I am not saying that I don't use a cellphone. I do. In fact, I'm sure I'm all over the road when I'm trying to answer the dam thing. I know my kids are always yelling at me when I am.

So yes. I'm guilty as charged. However, I have never text'd anybody while driving. Mostly because I don't know how to, or rather my fingers are too big to hit the right key.

Speaking of getting big...Little Kody Grondin turned 16 yesterday. Won't be long before the Kodster is driving down the street to check the surf himself. Happy Birthday Kody!

Check out Brian Nevins NEW Website. www.briannevins.com
Brian's work is insane.
And PLEASE SUPPORT ALL THE Photographers who submit 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 1972 Robin Rowell at the Wall?
(Below) This photo (or frame grab) had me baffled for quite sometime. I could not for the life of me figure out who it
was. Then I saw it. And quite frankly, I may be wrong. But I think it's Robin Rowell. Why? I don't know for sure, but I
think who ever this is, he's a Goofy Foot. And that he's in mid step here. Also, the board. It looks to be one of those
semi-guns that Robin always had with him back in those days. Of course I could be wrong. And if I am. I'm sure Ed
will let me know. Or someone else will. But until I hear differently, I'm calling this stylish 70's surfer, Robin Rowell.
Video Movie Frame Grab by Ed O'Connell




2008 Photos taken Today Sunday January 27th, 2008

(Above) Tom Brady says "Hello and don't worry about my foot...I plan on using it to kick the snot out of
the NY Giants Secondary!" Actually, I made that part up. But Brady is going to be fine.
Seen here this morning at the Pats Rally in Foxboro.
Bob Kraft and Junior Seau in background.
Photo by Stew Miline




(Above) Looks messy and cold....but by tomorrow at this time...she'll be winding and grinding!
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello

(Above) I was following this Snow Plow along the coast this morning. He was grinding the tar off the road!
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello


(Above) Snow, surf and plows!
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Lenny Nichols bought his youngest daughter Hoku a digital camera. Here's a few shots she
snapped of Stevie O' emerging from the depths of the Icy cold...
Photo by Hoku Nichols



(Above) Stevie O' looking cold.
Photo by Hoku Nichols


(Above) Stevie O' looking even colder...hey he had it to himself!
Photo by Hoku Nichols

2008 Happy 16th Birthday Kody Grondin!


(Above) Max and Kody (right) are both 16! HELP us Lord!!!! Kody turned 16 yesterday. Jan 26-2008.
Where did the time go? I remember seeing Kody at the hospital the day he was born. I remember his early
days on the beach and on the ice. Now he's pulling into barrels like his dad and skating like a dang
NHL Hockey Pro! Happy Birthday Kody! Photo by SFOD R. Fatello

2008 NE Patriots Surf Star Junior Seau



(Above) I ran these photos a while ago. But thought what the heck? Junior Seau a New England Patriot
who is one of us...I wonder if he knows we have waves around here? Not that he would go out in these
conditions. But at least when he has some down time he could slip away. Maybe down in Rhoady?
Photo courtesy of The Internet



(Above) AFC Champion Junior Seau and Surf Legend Donald Takayama!
Photo courtesy of The Internet



(Above) Junior Seau a New England Patriot, is also a surfer. Wonder how many NY GIANTS surf?
GOOD LUCK IN THE SUPERBOWL JUNIOR! BRING IT HOME! 19 and 0!
Photo courtesy of The Internet


2008 Today NEW ENGLAND Local Surfers Big Snowboard Adventure

(Above) Adam Coates and JT head for the mountains in Colorado.
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates



(Above) Adam and JT in the Colorado trees.
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates

(Above) Looks pretty. Pretty scary! Colorado Vert trails.
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates



(Above) Adam and JT in Colorado.
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates




(Above) How bad do you want it? Colorado.
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates

(Above) Adam prior to the death run...
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates

(Above) Adam and JT are only half kidding here. This is some serious shit.
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates



(Above) You tell me. Is this vertical terrain or what? Colorado.
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates

(Above) Adam safe again...he is kidding here. Colorado.
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates


(Above) Adam and JT's sunset in the mountains of Colorado.
Photo courtesy of Adam Coates

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 Photographer/Kneeboarder Justin Lamkin from Maine for
a SHORT WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP from the SFOD movie NORTH BY NORTHEAST!
VIDEO clip courtesy by SFOD R. Fatello


2007 Semi Tropical Breaks from Beyond NEW ENGLAND

(Above) California back in December. Local NE Surfer Matt Chapell was there.
Photo by Matt Chapell

(Above) California also had a December to remember.
Photo by Matt Chapell



(Above) Not sure where this is...but I know who sent it.
Photo by Matt Chapell


(Above) North Carolina can almost be tropical for us.
Photo by Matt Chapell

(Above) I'd be happy to just be there right now. Even if all I had was a soft top. Well...maybe not.
Photo by Matt Chapell

Today 2008 Parting Shot...Local Color



(Above) Longtime local NH surfer LTC Jay Hammer US ARMY stationed in Hawaii with a photo of New Hammy
on his wall. Thank you for your service Jason. Even if you get to surf the North Shore every day!
See you when you come home.
Photo courtesy of Jay Hammer

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