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November
18th, 2007
Todd Ross is gone. The mere fact that I'm writing this is disturbing.
Todd Ross passed away on Wednesday November 14, 2007 after
suffering a massive and sudden stroke. For those who didn't know Todd,
he was a local Surfer who loved Surfing as much as anyone of us. And his
favorite break was the Rocks here in NH. Todd was
a unique individual. Hell, that's an understatement. Todd was Todd.
No one did the things he did on a wave. I mean nobody.
Maybe
your familiar with his style.
Todd
was a regular foot. And Todd was a Goofy foot. He'd paddle out
at the Rocks at dead low tide on a longboard. Sometimes it was a new board.
Other times it was an old board that was held together by duct tape. He'd
take off backside, deep and late in the pit. Hit the bottom as the whole
thing sucked out onto the reef. Just when you think he's going to eat
it bad, he'd recover and and hit the lip, and as he hit the lip, he'd
switch foot! Then he'd either get in the barrel, facing the wave, or he'd
hit the lip again, and switch back to regular foot. That was Todd in a
nutshell.
I'm
sure he blew a few minds of those who were paddling out and witnessed
his antics for the first time.
Lord knows, he blew our minds. Both in and out of the water. I used to
tell him, "Todd your surfing is always on the brink of disaster,
it always seems like you're gonna eat it, but you miraculously pull it
off!" He would just smile back at me. He had kind of of devilish
smile too. Like he knew something that we didn't.
Don't get me wrong here. Todd took his share of heavy wipeouts.Boy
did he ever. But the difference between Todd and the rest of us
is, he'd take 10 waves on the head, just to make that one wave. And when
he did make it, it was mind boggling.
I last saw Todd through my viewfinder during the NOEL swell.
It was at the Rocks. He was out riding a new board sharing waves
with his friends. He was getting ready to go back to Australia.
I shot a few of his waves. I always do. He's hard to pass up when the
surf is going off. He did his switch stance routine for me, and I posted
it below.
The
last time I spoke with him was at the Wall. We talked about the
Surf, and his cousin Robin and his nephews Corey and Kyle
Howard. He was in a good mood. He mentioned the upcoming Aussie
trip and asked me for a video clip of him surfing one of the points. I
said I'd get it for him. Never once thinking, that I would never speak
to him again. Or never see him surf again.
I just assumed I would see Todd Ross again in the water.
But, Todd is gone from this earth. And our world, is a less colorful
world today, because of his passing.
Rest In Peace Todd... say
hello to my family members and friends who have gone before you.
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Not that any of us need any reminders but, it might be a good call this
Thanksgiving to really take the time and reflect on the things
that we should all be Thankful for.
I mean with Todd Ross passing away suddenly and Gary Ritchie
almost dying last summer. And Danny Miller being lost at Sea last
February, it's not that hard to see just how precious life truly
is.
Surfers
are not supermen. We don't live forever.
Sometimes
bad things happen and we lose a few.
Just take the time to reflect on your family and friends and the recent
surf we all just shared. I know I'll be thinking of my Mom, and Todd.
And I'll think of the Miller family too. And I'll be thankful that Gary
Ritchie is still with us and that we all have a chance to do something
good for him this Holiday season. And that's a good thing.
Remember, we will all be judged by what we did here on this earth. And
I don't necessarily mean, being judged by God, so much, as I mean by our
peers. Helping people out who need help. That's a simple concept that
sometimes gets overlooked. Take the time to stop and help someone along
the way. People will look kindly on you. Surfers will give you waves.
And God will bless you and your loved ones. Now doesn't that sound nice?
Of course it does.
Hey speaking of Thanksgiving. I'll be taking off for our annual
trek down south. And that can only mean one thing. There will be surf
back here! You can thank me and Mackey V for that. We'll both take
an extra wave or two when we get back, so please remind me when I see
you out in the lineup
But please, Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
There's
TWO items of importance here. The First is the PADDLE FOR
TODD this SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2007 at 2:00PM at the ROCKS. You know
the drill. Bring your wetsuit and board and bring your positive stoke
as we all Paddle for one of our own. See poster below.
The
other is the GARY RITCHIE Fundraiser that is taking place on Saturday
December 1st at the American Legion Hall in Hampton. See poster
below.*Now if You can't make this Fundraiser, please Send a Check
to:
GARY RITCHIE Fundraiser
P.O. Box 192
Hampton, NH 03843
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
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