March 23rd, 2008 EASTER Sunday

Happy Easter. Hope you all have a wonderful Easter and that you get to do whatever it is you all do on this holiday. This is going to be a sad EASTER for me and my family, as I'm sure it is for many others. This will be the first Easter without my Mother and her Easter Sunday Dinner.

Man, I'm going to miss her today.

Her truly one of a kind delicious soup, and that ham ( and pasta), and the many many desserts. It won't be the same for us that's for sure. I know there are many of you who have lost loved ones this year.

Some losses were very recent.

My only consoling advice I can give any of you who recently lost a loved one is, to try and get through the day and to make an effort to think of the many good memories your loved has left you with. Bring them up in conversation and talk about them. Don't suppress those feelings. I mean it. The worse thing you can do is NOT talk about them. Yes, it will be sad, but it will also be a healing process.

And if you're a Christian...well, this day is what the whole Christian faith is based on. The Resurrection. The ascending into heaven. This is it. The whole ball of wax is about this day. And if you believe, then you should be fine. Your loved one is in heaven. With God and Jesus.

And if the departed were surfers...? Well, chances are they could be surfing today. In heaven.

But not us. We are not surfing today.

We did have two decent swells this week. Well, 3 if you count last Sunday. Most weeks start on Sunday. It's just the schools and work force that sees Monday as the beginning of the week. Thursday was the first day of Spring. And we had surf. Will this Spring be anything like this last Winter? Whoa...I guess we'll wait and see.

Hey speaking of Sundays. I watched the John Adams series on HBO the last couple of nights. (It airs on Sunday Nights). And I was pretty impressed with the series as an educational piece, and reminded of the stark reality, of how difficult it must of been back in those days, and the creating of our country.

That was some heavy shit going down.

I mean think about it. Telling Great Britain to "Bug Off" and take a hike, and basically telling the"King" that we'll be starting our own democracy, and building a brand new Nation thank you.

But my friends, what was really an eye opener for me, was how much of a pain in the ass New York was, even back then. Of the 13 Colonies who voted in Congress to accept the seceding from England,and to put forth the Declaration of Independence...it was the Evil Empire of New York who was the only hold-out. They hated Massachusetts and New England even back then.

Talk about a deep seeded Rivalry.

We've been at each other since 1776! Are you kidding me? No wonder we hate each other.

I guess it doesn't help that the name of our Teams are the New England Patriots and the Red Sox. The obvious Revolutionary parallels should not escape us.

I guess it's true...I really am not over the SUPERBOWL .

Dam those Yankees and Giants!

The other day while I was surfing with Max, Jack Cadigan and Big Corey (who I mistakenly called Alex when he first paddled out...sorry Corey but you looked just like Alex). We were all sharing this Gray Day Peak when something odd happened to me that has never happened to me before.

I was in the process of catching a wave, when I let up on my paddling, due to the fact that I was waiting for the wave to take shape. You know how when sometimes, you know you have the wave, but wait an extra second or two, as the waves sets itself up before you get to your feet? So there I was, in a semi push-up position, my hands forward on the thick Red Fish I was riding, looking to my right. Just when I was ready to pop to my feet, the wave suddenly burped, and I found myself heading down into a full on pearl. Before I could pull back, I was upside down and going over the falls. Not exactly what I had in mind in front of my fellow riders.

I did a complete somersault. Never letting go of the board, I did a complete revolution in the lip. Yes my friends, it was very...what's the word I'm looking for? Oh yea, Kook like.

But here's the gist of my little story.

When I came back up in the same position, my head was spinning and I was violently ill...I thought I was going to puke my guts out right then and there. It was weird. I've never had that happen before, and I am curious as to how many of you have ever had that happen, or for that matter, can any of you tell me what it was that happened to me?

Was it because it was cold, and the sensation of spinning upside down caused this discomfort, or was it something else? It should be noted that prior to this experience, I had a severe cramp in my right foot and was bitching about it (loudly) for a good twenty minutes before.

Later on Stevie O said it sounded like Vertigo. What the hell is that? I thought vertigo had to do with heights. The feeling lasted for about 4 hours. Seriously. 4 freaking hours. I was out of the water within 20 minutes of this happening, but the feeling never left me until later that day. Of course to add insult to injury my son Max said out loud..."So are we going to read about this in your column?" At the time, I was too busy fighting off the nausea to even think about answering him. Man if this is another sign of getting old...I'm not happy.

Here's the info on the fund that is being set-up to help little Ryan Ciolfi. Ryan is the three year old son of local Surfer of Tony Ciolfi and the late Tammy Ciolfi. The fund for young Ryan is a 529 College Plan for Ryan.
To donate, please address the check to:

The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan
On the check write: Beneficiary: Ryan A Ciolfi
and send the check to:

Anthony Ciolfi
33 Morningside Dr
Hampton NH 03842

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

HAPPY EASTER!!

PLEASE send donations to our other SURFER's son:
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 1989 Harry Manzi Sends the Easter Shaka!
(Below)There was a time when young Harry Manzi surfed every swell with us. Every swell. Hell, he even went to College in Hawaii and surfed the North Shore. Then he got lazy. And he gained a few pounds. Hey, we all do. Except Harry gained a few more than the rest of us. It was like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Then one day Harry woke up. Now, many years later and with three young sons...Harry is is on the mend and apparently he wants back into our world.
That day, though not quite here yet, is I believe, coming soon. Meanwhile, take a look at Harry doing what we all love. Surfing.
Video Movie Frame Grab by R. Fatello SFOD



2008 Photos BELOW taken this week in March


(Above) Eric Cannon, perfect trim under a stiff offshore lip. Thursday afternoon, on the very
first day of Spring.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Unidentified lip slash. Who da guy?
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Throttle down, another Unidentified rider bringing things under control
during the Wall Wind Session. Or as Ed called it, the Vernal Equinox Swell.
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) To duck under the lip or not...? H-m-m what say you
my good man?
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Follow up shot from Eric's first pic above.
First day of Spring.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) This looks like Steve from KingsHighway...but then again, you all look alike
in them dam hoods.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Can you find the Easter Egg board?
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Chris Thompson on a right with a workable shoulder. Yea it was windy, but
there were waves to be had if you got into the right one.
Photo courtesy of Chris Thompson

(Above) Dark foreboding skies, with gaping wind whipped barrels. Springtime in NE.
Photo courtesy of Chris Thompson

(Above) Looks like a peak. But those who know the difference might disagree.
Still, for a brief moment or two, one could get in one of these things and get
some room with a view. If that's what you wanted to do.
Photo courtesy of Chris Thompson

(Above) Here's proof that there were shoulders this afternoon. Chris Thompson
cutting back in the wind.
Photo courtesy of Chris Thompson

(Above) Drive by left...a tad bouncy they were. But fun looking on Tuesday morning. One of the last days of winter.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Taking the Rock stroll, a hooded Peter Stokes navigates the walk back to the vehicle.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello

(Above) A view from the Briar Patch. Two guys out.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello




(Above) Another Drive by shooting.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) I wish I could show you how big this driftwood was. It was big. I wonder where it originated from?
Nova Scotia? Maine? New York?...Lord knows. *Put the mouse over image for another view.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Lenny bought a new camera. But he still has the same creative eye. He calls this one "Dancing Sands".
Photo by Lenny Nichols


(Above) Steve Rafferty, red faced on a red longboard. Yes it was that cold.
Photo by Lenny Nichols

(Above) Nohea Rafferty waving goodbye to winter.
Photo by Lenny Nichols

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(Above) Steve & Nohea Rafferty. The couple that surfs together, stays together.
Photo by Lenny Nichols

(Above) Put your mouse over the image for the follow up shot.
Photo by Lenny Nichols

(Above) Grif & Kai during their Easter Grom Hunt.
Photo by Lenny Nichols

(Above) OK. If any of you see my Red Jeep driving around the seacoast and I appear to be going
ultra slow. This is why. And...if any of you see this vehicle and it's going a little too fast...I need to know.
Mackey V gets his license on Saint Paddy's Day. Lord give me the strength.
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 Harry Manzi from the year 1989.
This SHORT WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP is from the yet to be released SFOD movie YESTODAY.
8mm Video Frame grab by R. Fatello SFOD

OK check this out. Jimmy Dunn JUST released his NEW CD. It is FUNNY. To find out more info go to: www.JimmyDunn.TV

2008 This week of March in Hawaii

(Above) No it's not a mirage. It's real and it's very far away from here.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) It's not just happening on the North Shore. Bernie was in Town this
week getting some contest action.
Photo by Bernie Baker


(Above) Women in Hawaii have it easier than our women do. Warm water and
big smiles goes a long way into getting the girls to try surfing.
Photo by Bernie Baker



(Above) Every surfer knows what's coming next. Big leaning turn back into the pit.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) Diamond Head cutback.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) And if the girls have it easier...well, the Groms are just KILLING it
in the Islands.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) Rusty rider bouncing around for the judges.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) You try these moves when the water's warmer. And it sure
looks warm to me.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) OK. I ran this last pic week, but I needed to run it again. Only because of the
amazing color scheme and the severity of the wave and rider. The pitching lip color
matches this guy's board. The leaning forward to accent the momentum of the track.
And the spit starting to blast this guy in the back, just adds up to one of the ALL time
BEST photos of the winter so far.
Photo by Bernie Baker

2007 Two from Last Year's Indo Trip

(Above) This photo shows the perfect line-ups in Ulu. But it does not show the stifling humidity and the
aggressive bugs and traveling surfers. All of which is part of world traveling to Third World Countries.
If you want to surf perfection you gotta be willing to suffer a little. Is it worth it? You tell me.
Photo by John Carden

(Above) Click on this photo and get a better view of this particular wave. OK I was having some fun with
Photoshop with Johnny's photos. We both had a good chuckle over this.
Photo by John Carden

Today 2008 Parting Shot..."Happy Easter" He Has Risen...



(Above ) Someone sent me this...and I thought, why not? It's Easter. All my Christian friends can certainly
appreciate this. Hey I could of posted a Rev Wright pic...but Barack has taken enough heat for one week.
Happy Easter...
Photo Courtesy of the Internet.

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