DECEMBER 2010

December 31, 2010

Hey Ralph,

December 30, 2010

Ralph:

To prove that the BDI is no recent phenomena, I submit this Kodachrome slide stamped Aug 1970. It shows my buddy George Hutchins dropping in on Steve “Surfer Crow” Watson on a nice late summer wave 40 years ago at the Wells Jetties.

Back then, I was determined to become the East Coast Ron Stoner and capture those nice bright colors on the annoying slow (ISO25) Kodachrome film. Tomorrow is the last day Kodachrome slide film can be processed. Kodak stopped making the unique developer it requires and the lab that has the last batch of developer will run out on Dec 31, 2010, end of an era. I bet you shot plenty of the stuff in your film days also.

Ed

Thanks so much Ed...wow. Another classic. I was still in Nam in 1970...Though sad news about Kodachrome slide film. Another long lost era for us old photographers. At least we still have the images we shot.

December 29, 2010

Thom it was nuts...but thanks.

good xmas blog. Wear hood and gloves. Note my father states 2 minutes is what the military instructed him during survival training, meaning if you parachute into the winter ocean, you’ve got 2 minutes to get into your life raft or you won’t be able to.

rich

p.s. Are you having a Movie Night at the Post for your new flick? If so, let me know.

Thanks...not sure about the movie night. I'll let you know.

There are things that cannot be explained. You just have to believe.

Deserving has nothing to do with it. You have to earn it.

December 28, 2010

Ralph,
Thanks for the update as I always read your “weekly”, but was alerted to the photo by a few buddies who logged on earlier.
I will be sure to thank Ed the very next time I see him as I was humbled with the admission of the photo.  A very Big Thank You to you as you knew who I was and Ed was able to put a name with the photo.
Really appreciate the gesture and I am always hoping for a “shot” and now that I have one, makes me want to work harder than ever to get one of those “Stanek” shots....He is absolutely amazing!!

Happy New Year!!

Thanks Again!!

-Brian D

You got your 15 minutes...

No worries...winter is just getting started.


December 27, 2010

Ralph, caught the movie, great job! Love the December to remember section....!
 
Got a couple more shots this afternoon.
Talk soon,
Steve D.

Thanks Steve

It ain't that bad Lester...at least not yet.

Surfed Long Beach 24th 25th with my son and son in law.Should have driven North on the 25th but we had a party at noon.It was head high here for sure with a lot of juice.My friend Jay surfed Braces on that Big Tuesday.He damaged  his Meierhoffer that day and snapped it at Long the next day.Strange board but very fast.He said it was the biggest he ever surfed it.Long rides.Good pics on the site this week.

Big storm last night I have a tree down out back.It was probably blowing 70 here. Snow is like cement.I am overlooking the antlers on Patch but I feel his pain.

All the best

Mike

The girls love dressing that puppy up. Glad you got good waves.

December 26, 2010

Thanks Ralph. The best to you & your family today & always.

Just back from visiting our kids & grandkids & it was fun.

Everyone is well & we are blessed.

Wally E. California

Grampa Wally...that's great!

Ralph,

 Wow! You guys got giant waves. The photos were epic! This past tues. and wed. gave us fun, perfect surf in the 3 – 5 ft. range @ Stuart Beach in Martin County (see attached photo).

 I was skinnin’ it! (water 65 – air 75)

Happy new year!

If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call.

Glenn M. Florida

I could use some warm water...

I'll look around Nick...

cool thanks.

Kim B

I'm not that concerned..thanks same to you.

Ralph,

Yes, Merry Christmas to you too.

Nice pictures.

Betsy and I were out yesterday. A rather large print in the mix down by your stands. Looks like these deer were kicking up the leaves looking for acorns. Not huge, but nice size. I think we moved this deer out of the area when we approached as the tracks were very sharp and fresh. You’ll see them if you go out there today before the blizzard.

I think I was seeing you and Patch’s tracks and they looked pretty fresh too. Yesterday?

Rich

I'm not sure, could of been my tracks.


December 25, 2010 CHRISTMAS DAY

I never know...I'll call you.

He looks as stoked as you sound.

Great trailer!! Can't wait to see the vid"
Stevie O



"Trailer looks fantastic, thanks for hanging in there Ralph, can't wait to see it."
Ed O


"thats a great trailer.... be sick to see it on magicseaweed..."
John Carden

Thank you Ed and John...you are both a big part of this. Merry Christmas

"nice! I'll have to pick this up for a friend Dale from Maine,He is another die hard NE surfer like you!!"
Shawn G.


Good Stuff Ralph!!!!!!"
Mike K.



December 24, 2010 Christmas Eve

I drove past you this morning and surfed Straws, and I got a ton of emails/FB messages about Straws on Tuesday so you don't have to rub it in....ha.
 
Merry Christmas, brother.  Santa's bringing waves all week....
 
Hugs,
 
Buck

Merry Christmas to the whole Rowlee Family! I love you guys!

That was an amazing wave...I'm stoked you want it.

That was fun surfing with you and the kids today.


Ralph:

Merry Christmas to the whole family!

December 23, 2010

Ralph, I surfed with you at Straws about a month ago. I committed that I would donate $1 for every day that you surfed every day up to 365 days. Just wanted to put it in writing so that you know that I am serious. Let me know when I should send the check.

Chris D

Thanks Chris!.

December 22, 2010


You make the wave, the wave dosen't make you.

Artie (Mass)

huh?

December 21, 2010

Hey Ralph, got some good rides and a couple pretty good shots today...I'm counting it a sucess! Good to see you tonight.
 
Steve

Same here Steve.


"Ralph would go"
TC

Ralph has to go...

Oh yeah...

John:

You're welcome. I am truly sorry for you and Carol's loss. I know words of comfort can only go so far. I know that love and support can only ease the pain at times. But I also know, that time and the ocean can help. Get back into the ocean when you are ready, and the let the healing powers that she possesses do her work on your soul.

Love and the happy memories of Chris will someday fill all of your lives again.

God Bless and Aloha.

Merry Christmas.

Ralph

You did the right thing with that dog. I'm really proud of you. And if there's a place in heaven for Dogs, I'm sure both Gunny and Scout were wagging their tales for you.

I love you Gabby.

"Committed. Committed to the drop. "The drop" is 365 wave in 365 days. For Molly. Ralph is "committed to the drop." Thank you, Ralph for all you do."

Thanks Johnny


December 20, 2010

Brother that was gut wrenching...but therein lies the beauty of the NFL. You just never know.

Is he a regular foot or goofy foot? And what color is his board?
If I don't have him in stills he may be in my new movie...that's
coming out this week.





December 19, 2010

I think all of you on this email have surfed from a boat.  Given that, you'd agree that it is hard to really suss out a break from offshore.  Well, there is a place I have gone by about 20 times over the years on my way to my favorite beach break in Bocas, Playa Larga.  A great wave worthy of discussion for another time. 
 
On the way to Playa Larga with guest in tow this morning, I spied this break I have seen and wondered about many times.  From the back, it broke to the right, long spray coming off the back evenly with white water marking a pretty clean looking line.  As the other times, I hooted, pointed...and kept going to Playa Larga.  We got there, it looked good with shore ponding barrels and I turned to my guest and said "lets go check out that reef."  He was game, we turned around and sped back. 
 
We anchored up about 150 yards off the outside break for safty reasons.  This place breaks 35 minutes "out-there".  Anything goes wrong, it is a long way back.  While paddleing towards the line up, I asked him if he had ever broken in a new spot...the first to ride a wave.  "No, but I really have wanted to do this" he said.  We were both nervous as the surf was booming on the reef.  Also, we could see the bottom in the gin clear water, and the coral below was alive and wicked sharp. 
 
I caught the first wave and got the naming rights..."Long Reef". 
 
Long Reef breaks about 150 yards, right.  We caught it at 2 - 4 foot overhead.  The outside is a bowl, steep but reasonable for Bocas.  It slingshots into a wall that get really hollow as it reels off this super clear reef.  There is also an inside section and corner as well making for three distinc lineups.  The wave is demanding, fast, and hollow.  The sets were four out of five stars, with several unridden waves that were worldclass.  This wave stands up to anything I have ridden in the south pacific and easily one of the better waves in Bocas Del Toro.  What makes this even wilder is that it broke at 4.5 feet, 9 seconds on a NE swell - this is almost every day in the winter spring and summer. 
 
I'll get pics next time...and I thought about you guys while out there today. 
 
Life is better when you surf. 
 
Stan  (Panama)   

I'm so there next January Stan...can't wait!.    

ESM is the Best!

Matt:

I remember you. Glad to hear that you are still doing the things that make you happy.
Florida huh? I guess the warm water can't be bad. I guess I'll forever be a New England boy.
It's in our blood. Though, I'll be looking forward to getting back to the tropics one of these days after my latest mission is over. I'm assuming you've been aware of my Catch a Wave For Molly Fund raiser. The Internet is certainly a powerful tool. The ability to reach to so many people.

My daily blog and weekly blog has been sustaining me through these difficult times.
Have not got into the SUP scene. Lots of guys have though. I don't know if it's for me. I think not.Yes those shots were of Linkys. Fox Hill was reeling. I mean it was top to bottom 10' plus. Just insane barrels all day long. I did not surf there the big day. I surfed Straws Point alone. It was big and it looked like Indo or something. But not a soul out there. Weird.

Send me pics of your kids and you every now and then. I'd be happy to post them.

Stay in touch Matt. Keep surfing. Remember, Surfing Heals All Wounds.

Ralph



December 18, 2010

Hi Ralph,
Some shots from Cold Wednesday. The shots of Kai and his dad at the rocks was taken late in the day.Wanted to shoot earlier but it took me an hour to get out of my wet suit and to be able to hold a camera. Darkness comes early this time of year.Not good for slacking.
Andrew

Thanks Andrew these are great!

Aloha Ralph,

Thank you Dale. Those were Beautiful heartfelt words of love.
Thank you again for the kindest of kind words.

God Bless you and Merry Christmas to you and your
family too.

Ralph



Thanks for all of the letters, notes, and phone calls from all of you regarding my Dad. He passed away peacefully last night at 2am, and was and pain free and content at the end. He got to live his life the way he wanted to, and remained living independently as was his preference right up to the very end. He sustained a fall in which he hit his head a week ago, and was never able to recover from that; but I got to see him in the last days and for a bit, we could talk and he was lucid. He was at peace and read to go, and it really couldn’t have been any better. The end was merciful, and we are all thankful for that.

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

Best,

Jeff

So sorry about your dad Jeff. He sounded like a great father.

Hey Ralph, shot these this morning.  Got up to check it and the swell's not here quite yet.  I'm cleaning Mom's house today, per my brother Mike, I have to be out of here by tonight at 5pm. I'm going to stay with a friend until after the Xmas holiday and I'll be here this week to surf this swell.  We'll definietly hook up.  Thanks for everything brother.
Steve

You're welcome Steve. Again sorry about your Mother's passing.


December 17, 2010

Thanks Ralph, you know some days we get lucky, the sun, surf all right where we want them. Ed

Except in cases like your stuff it's a little more than luck Ed. Talent plays a big part in this.

Ralph-

Great stuff Ben thanks.


December 16, 2010

Because it's warmer.

December 15, 2010

I hope you're taking pics.

"BOMBS and BARRELS! Who needs Hurricane season?"
Frank Q

Exactly.


"Great pics Commander ..."
Tim

Thank you Colonel.

RALPH:
6 shot of you this afternoon, 1 of some unknown guy on a large wave.  You are right it was dam cold, I had it beat except for my hands, gotta work on that.
Ed

You need gloves.

It was all time.

Thanks Ralph, looks like it was mighty fun up there! I'll forward to our Photo Editor Nate Adams, we should be putting together a swell gallery for Friday...

Great thanks Nick.

That was pretty wild.

December 14, 2010

I was not offended. I was sick. But my pledge is everyday. NO MATTER What. Not sure if that's because I was a Marine, I know it's part of our MO though.

I'm looking for my 50 mil.


You should get volunteers to watch you on shore everyday. I would volunteer one day a week. Surfing alone is a bad idea in any conditions..."
Jon

Nah...I'm fine. But thanks for the offer.


December 13, 2010

i dont think there was any where easy to surf today.
doug s.

Not here in Northern New England.

No, there definitely wasn't. I spent an hour and a half getting washed all over the place for the sake of two failed takeoffs; I can't imagine doing that while sick. Hope to see you back to 100% soon

Mike S

Thanks Mike.

Ed and Ralph, Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I'll be buying a few more photos as well, I'm all for supporting our local lensemen! I did like the way the sunlight was coming thru the wave, it was a nice golden hour photo.

Ralph, hope you are feeling better, I'll see you guys out there soon enough, looks like another swell has moved in.

Cheers,
John (Boston)

That's great. Thanks John.

There are three shops in New Hampshire and several in Southern Maine that can outfit you with Winter gear. The Shortboard is not for everyone, so your best bet is a lightweight longboard or a Fun Shape board that can paddle. Paddling is key. The wetsuit should be at least a 5/4 with a hood attached. You will need 7mil boots and gloves. And as far as your dad goes...it's never too late to take up surfing. And yes, The Patriots are kicking some serious butt.

December 12, 2010

I have been worrying about you and your excitment about the Pats because you fall so hard when it goes wrong, but I must say watching this game against the Bears I think we can all get excited now, they really look pretty good

Go Pats

Gary

They are all singing the praise of Belichik and Brady now...they are the TEAM.

Hey Ralph, Stevie O' and I are hitting it in the morning.  Gonna see if it's clean enough to paddle out.  I think your cell number below has an extra "0", but if you get text messages I can send you the report from wherever I go out in the next few days? Looking at swell.com it looks like tuesday wednesday is the peak.  I just bought a new 6'0" Al Merrick from Crop and a new 5'4" suit so I am SET!! I cant wait to surf my brains out for the next four days!!
 
Talk soon brotha, thanks for the well wishes.
Steve

I'm delaying my movie release to get footage of this swell and you.
Let me know where you're gonna be.


Cmon ralph Yet? I have paddled every square inch of this entire coastline. 400+ yard long rides on this day. I watched some prone guys trying to get out of the point and they got worked and went in. Boston bouy was 10'@ 14 secs this day if I recall. This is why we tend to stay down here when there's size. You can go on for miles on a sup here when it's big and glassy and have found it works on all tides. Sup'ers Paradise and the Pirate hates SUP so that's a bonus too!

I figured as much...I was just asking. Keeping the Pirate at bay is good too..


hey ralph-i was called and told i was in your blog-i thought"oh no-"kook in action"-like magic-you made me look like i knew[kinda] what i was doing-so thanks again-it's the little things........
michael r.
ps:merry christmas and happy new year to you and your family-yes-i do know i'm not being politically correct-obviously i could give...................

Merry Christmas to you and yours too!


December 11, 2010

Jon...I love you guys. I love all the kids in our community. My wife and I truly loved the gift. Merry Christmas.


December 10, 2010

Hello all, I hope this finds you well and in the comfort of God's grace.  It is with a very sad heart that I send this to you.  After a very long struggle with illness, my Mom has been admitted to Portsmouth Regional Hostpital for the last time.  She has been sedated and is resting comfortably.  It is possible that she may pass as early as this Sunday.
 
For her friends on the East Coast, she is in room 373.  You are welcome to visit, but please call first.  My number is 858-735-4050.
 
Thank you to everyone who has made her life so special. She loves you all dearly.  Her ashes will be spread in the ocean and there will possibly be a paddle out.  I will send details if you would like when they become available.
 
 
Blessings,
Steve

Oh Steve...I'm so sorry to hear this. Are you home? You need to be with her.
I will say a prayer for your Mom. Please do not hesitate to call if you need anything.
You KNOW exactly where your Mother is going. She's going home.

We are all heading home. To the Glorious Kingdom of God in Heaven.

Be strong Steve and keep your faith in the forefront.

God Bless you and your Mom.

Thank you Ralph..Mom passed earlier tonight. Peaceful and in her sleep. I've been at the hospital with her since tuesday and I was with her when she let go.

We prayed together everyday and she met with a priest yesterday. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have had this time with her. Both sober and with God's presence.

I will be in town until January 1st. I will call.

Blessings,
Steve

I'm so sorry for your loss. She has gone home Steve, and will be watching over you.


Ralph-

Great stuff Ben it will all be up by Sunday rhe 12th.

Actually I hear Hawaii calling.

Thanks Nate I have seen it and it caused quite a stir with some SUP riders. Stab and Dodge. Too freaking funny.

Stay warm today! Maybe you could cheat a little and borrow a sup? Hahaha! You are Hardcore for sure
Artie

Thanks for the offer Artie.

December 9, 2010

Ralph,
Hope all is going well with the Molly fund surf quest.  I will continue my
dollar a day donation.  I think I'm a little behind on your second 100
days but I will catch up. 

I once surfed a minimum of once a week for 2 years, that was difficult enough.
That experience makes me realize how much more difficult it is for you to surf once a day for 365.  No matter how bad you feel or what injuries you have, you still have to get
out there.  I applaud your perseverance and your dedication to the families of cancer victims.  We have all lost family and friends to cancer and we appreciate you efforts.
See you on the water.

Thanks
Tim C.

Thank you Tim.

Ralph - Great to hear from you - and best of luck with your 365 days of surf - your blog is required reading every week for me, I spent ten years at the wall and miss it

I am jetting off to Switzerland tonight to snowboard so will try to get you some pics

Merry Christmas to you and your family
James R (Ireland)

Same to you and yours James.

December 8, 2010

Hey Ralph, Great writeup this week! You and Ed did a great job documenting our latest swell as usual. Looks like he captured some nice waves you had also.

I was looking thru the Dec 2nd slide and noticed Ed got a shot of me at "Alligator Creek" - it was pict a09.jpg ( i was marked as unknown which makes perfect sense now that it is winter wetsuit time) - i was going down the line on a left. I'd like to buy the high res print from Ed if possible along w/ a few other photos as well.

I'd also like to buy a few of your photos, some from "Wounded Warriors Day at the beach." Whenever you have a moment just let me know how i should go about buying/downloading some prints that would be great.

Looks like we may have anther swell on the way early next week so I'll look for you out in the water. Glad to hear about your new puppy too! Hope all is well.

-John

Where the hell is "Alligator Creek"? Ha! I'll contact Ed for you and send along your request.

Enjoyed the trailer! I’m always impressed not only by the quality of the surf and the skill level of the local surfers in your area, but by the fact that you guys rip so hard while encased in all that neoprene. I especially liked Lenny ripping it up in the last bit as the credits rolled. Please tell him, Kevin and Mike P. I said to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and, of course, that goes to you and yours as well Ralph. You got a heart as big as the whole outdoors doing that surf every day for year charity gig, takes an extreme level of commitment for a great cause. My hat goes off to you Ralph! Be safe.

 Aloha!

If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call.

Glenn McDonald (Florida)

Thank you Glenn.

JOHN LENNON 1980-2010 30 years...

I was about to go on with the Eaters at the Music Hall when Marc Parenteau came backstage and told us about it

I remember that night. Steve was my roommate. Don't know how you guys went on that night.

It is one of those situations where I can remember exactly where i was that day.  Driving cross country listening to John Lennon on the radio all day. Truly a tragedy of the time
Sofia

The worst day in the history of Rock and Roll.

December 7, 2010

Our fathers were the best Rocky.


Sunday, December 7, 1941...... Remember those that took the 1st hit of the war of the pacific

Thom M.

Amen to that brother.

R-man,

Below your comments is the back and forth Burkie and I had. It should explain everything. Yes, the Ranch is no longer secret. Yes, nothing should be published on it. If your site was on the W. Coast I’d never send anything to it. That’s just the way shit has to happen. Cuz it’s way at the polar (truly!) opposite end of the County, I can get away with it. But on SURFER, on the internet? Bad ju ju. Some things……………………………………are better off left unsaid,

J

p.s. bluebird is a surfing term from Waikiki in the 40’s, means a crystal clear blue day, with big blue rollers coming in.

p.s. No, you get all 12 chapters, cuz the edumacation must continue…This ain’t porn, this is intellectual communication between friends of the highest order.

Can't we all jest git along?

 

December 6, 2010

Ralph-

Ralph_

I had to smile when I read this week’s blog and your account of the San Diego guy moving East.  I grew up surfing New Hampshire and moved to San Diego for work about 6 years ago.  I paddled out yesterday morning in La Jolla – water is about 58,air was in the low 60’s and there was no wind.  I was wearing my 3/2 and feeling just fine in the sun…even a little warm when paddling around.  Well, about half an hour into my session a younger guy paddles out next to me in the lineup.  He has a fullsuit on, booties, gloves and a hood!  I had to do a double-take and laughed to myself.  I mean the surf was only about waist high (ground swell) so there wasn’t even any real duck diving going on.

Hopefully the surfer you met yesterday is built a little tougher than the guy I surfed next too out here - or he is in for a real long winter.

Justin P (California)

We all have our own personal thresholds for being cold. I'm not a big fan of cold nor heat.

Ralph,
    I took the shots from NH this past weekend. Some of the others are from a couple weeks back during that nice swell in Marblehead and Swampscott. If you like them feel free to put the on the website. I like to take photos of overall scenes with waves and or surfers in them as you will see by the shots.

Also you are right about people dropping in. I owe you an apology for an email I wrote to you a couple months back. This weekend was a great example. The wall was a mess this weekend you really had to position perfectly for every wave and even then you had to keep you head up or you would hit someone, you'd think mid 30's air temp and high 40s water temp would keep the crowds away but it was like September out there this weekend.

If you like these I would love to contribute more to your blog whenever I have shots.

Regards,
Ryan

These are really good Ryan. You don't owe me an apology. It was your opinion. That's cool.

Ralph:

yeah I just hold it in my hand when I'm in the tube. If I have to paddle in I put it n my mouth first tll i make the drop. same with the step off. put it in my mouth and then once I'm up hold it in my hand.. the view is super wide almost full 180. quality is real killer too. Theres even an HD mode on t. The Contour cam is comparable to these go pros

Raven

Those shots are killer! I mean Raven. Insane in the barrel shots.

nahhh not wearing a leash on the thing. the leash scares me that if I drop it it might swing around and hit me in the head... haha. I made a handle grip to hold it and wrapped it with pipe insulation and duck tape to make it float just in case i drop it. I never drop it when I'm surfing but have dropped it a few times goofing off on the ski filmng animals and things.... cant wait to hear the new track of "send me an angel". song is so killer!!!!"

I need to see this up close. My song is yours when it's done.

Hi Ralph!

Kate I'm sure you'll do great. You are one of the "Good People doing Good Things". We could always use help with the Wounded Warriors next Summer.

"..killer Ralph can't wait to see the final! I'm back week after next, hope there's some swell! I definitely want NH surf for Xmas!!"

Steve D (California)

Just call when you get in town.


First you’ll be pleased to know that at his request; he was buried in his wetsuit!
Classic!
Second I was asked to share: here is the draft of my tribute to Flippy:

It’s often been said that big wave riders have big balls, well after helping Flippy in and out of his wetsuit for two plus decades,
I can tell you: IN HIS CASE ITS TRUE…
 
To a generation of us guys, Flippy was Peter Pan.
He would take us on his powered Polynesian voyaging canoe out and over the horizon to Never NeverNeverland.  
On the voyage out all the cares of the world would slip away in our wake, and when we arrived at NeverNeverland youth was eternal, it was as though Flippy took us to a place anchored in the past, and yet connected to and ageless eternity.  

While there he taught us that if you love the ocean; it will love you back.
To Flippy; our Commodore Eternal

Matt Baker (California)

Thanks for sharing this.



December 4, 2010

Thanks for dropping me this nice note. Was I pretty accurate in my daily blog?
I think that guy thought I was kidding. And thanks for letting me catch that wave.
I know you were in position, I just needed to get going.

I love the North Hampton Memorial Parade and service. It's always so nice
and poignant. Please tell your wife that I said "thank you for your service."
Thank you again for the kind words. Keep surfing!

That would be quite an achievement. I think your stuff is already cover quality.

That camera is a CANON D-10 with 12.1 mega pixels and the thing is great. Nevins was the one who told me to get it. That was a SEAL out there.

December 3, 2010

hellz yes Ralph! thanks for the good words, it means a ton coming from a New England staple like yourself... hope you're ready to take a trip down memory lane in January with our 20th anniversary/ 150th issue!

That would be nice...but could I have it to myself or with a few friends?