Got good surf pics?
Send em off to me directly.
(See link below) Just make sure
they're 650-700 pixels wide.
NO bigger NO smaller.

In fact if you have any questions about the
size, email me first and I'll write back.
Start shooting crackie!!
Ralph's Pic Of The Week

If you want to access the Pic of the
week from past weeks click here.
Archives

September 7th 2008

OK so we got our 2nd Tropical Storm of the season. TS Hanna came to town this weekend and everyone was there. And I do mean everyone. I do not believe that I have seen our line-ups as crowded as it was today. But then again, I may have. I looked out over that stretch of cement and actually thought it might be possible to walk across the tops of all the heads out there without
getting wet.

Well, that might be a stretch. But not a big one. And if you were around today in the Northern New England wave fields, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It was crowded.

But surprisingly, it was civil. At least it was where I was. Don't get me wrong, there were quite a few infractions out there. And I'm sure, there were more than a few unpleasant words exchanged. But by and large, it was manageable. And that in itself, speaks volumes for all of us. I mean, it seems to me, on the surface, that most of you "get it", and by getting it, I do mean "Get it".

The sharing and the common sense of surfing.

Although I did witness a collision this morning, that clearly could of been avoided. Some guy on a Long board was into a nice clean right at the Wall this morning, and he was in full glide mode. Now, all of the "awake surfers" in the general vicinity, could plainly see, that he had possession of this wave, and was having no problem with riding it. There was no suspect section up ahead, that might cause concern on whether or not, he was going to make the wave or not. He was going to make it. Easily.

That's when it happened.

Some guy with blinders on, paddles for this wave, and the rider plowed into him and his board. Thankfully no one was hurt. But dam, that was so uncalled for. The dude's excuse? "I didn't see you man!" Huh! Didn't see him? We all saw him. He was riding the wave. "You didn't look." I chimed in. "You have to look." Now maybe I should of kept my mouth shut, after all, I was having a great session myself. But I couldn't. I never could, and I guess I'm not about to start now.

You see my friends. If I see wrong, I try to right it.

You know, like a sheriff. I'm looking out for all of you. I might even get myself a shiny badge and stick it on my wetsuit. And you can all call me "Sheriff Ralph". I'll carry my water proof Taser, and keep the peace out in the water. I'll paddle by and say stuff like "Howdy. How's the waves today? Are ya having fun?" You know, very friendly. Very...what's the word? Oh yea...Approachable.
What the hell am I saying? I'm no surf cop. Or am I?

Today was also an eye opening, awakening for me. I do believe, I have found my new Magic Short Board. Now we've all had Magic boards. I've had four so far in my life. Two short boards and two long boards. Boards that fit you and your style of surfing. Today I made the Magic Board discovery.

And here's the killer part. It was bought right off the rack.

This was not some custom board that was shaped just for me. Hardly. This board was hidden in the racks with a bunch of other boards. This Magic Board is a MERRICK and it's a Flyer model. I did some custom painting on the bottom and stuck some personal stickers on it...but the shape was all done without my input. I do owe this Magic board discovery to my old friend Kevin Grondin.

In fact, I owe the first short board "Magic Board" to Kevin as well. Back in 1984 I bought a board off the rack from Stevie O'Hara at the Board Shop. It was a board that Kevin picked out for me. A Blue Hawaii 6'4" thruster square tail. It was about 20" wide. That board was by far the BEST shortboard I've ever owned. Until this new one. I bought the new one from Dave Cropper at Cinnamon Rainbows.

I'll admit, I was a bit reluctant at first. After all, the last 20 plus shortboards I've owned, have all been custom boards. And, they have all been, just mediocre. This board was special from the very first wave. And that first wave, was this morning. And I swear to you all, that I got barreled on my first ride on that new board.

That needs repeating. I got barreled on my First Ride on my new board. Would you consider that to be magic? You better believe it is. Are you kidding me?

That's magical with a capital M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



So my magic board and I surfed all day. I was stoked like a grom. No, I was stoked like Shaun Tomson. In fact, I tried at times today to try and surf like Shaun. Now before you all snicker, you can't tell me that you have not been influenced by certain surfers in your life, and have tried to emulate their surf style. Please don't tell me that. Cause I know you're lying through your teeth.

We've all tried to surf like some surf legend, or surf hero at some point in our lives. Whether it's Kelly Slater, Corey Lopez, Shaun Tomson, or Phil Edwards. We've all done it. Or it might even be some hot local surfer. But make no mistake about it. We've all been influenced by someone.

Today, I tried to surf like Shaun Tomson. Although I'm sure I was probably closer to Shaun's grandmother than I was Shaun himself. But still, I was having fun being someone else. Hell, I even threw some big ass cutbacks that had me looking back to see if that was really me.

It was (I swear) the Magic Board. I was possessed by this craft. I could do no wrong. And the ultimate compliment came from my son Max. He said "Dad you were surfing good today. I saw some of your waves." I was trying to be cool, and all and tried to act like I didn't hear him, and didn't really care. But I did.

Cause I was surfing like Shaun today.


Looks like IKE is heading in the wrong direction for us. Too bad. That storm had some serious potential a few days ago. No longer. He's heading on that Midnite Train to Georgia. Oh well. It was certainly exciting there for a few days with all that activity. Hanna, Ike and Josephine.

There's some serious concern in Patriots Nation today. Tom Brady is hurt. The Patriots QB was injured in a late 1st qtr tackle, and by all of those in the know...it does NOT look good. I know I've jokingly said that I could care less about this team this year, after last year's devastating loss to the Giants in the Super Bowl, but I do not want to see anyone get hurt. Especially Brady. Much to everyone else's surprise Matt Cassell did get the job done by beating the Chiefs today. But the Chiefs are not very good. If Tom Brady is really out for the season...last year's 18-1 is as good as you will ever see in Patriots Nation.

Or for that matter, the NFL. The Undefeated Dolphins will take that record for all of time.

On Thursday September 11, 2008 at 6PM on 69 High Street in Hampton. The Local American Legion POST 35 is having their third annual GWOT Dedication. What that means is, all the Veterans from the State of New Hampshire who were killed in the GWOT since last September 11, 2007 will have their names added to the monument outside the Post building.

This year we are adding three names.

This is a somber observance and is usually well attended by the whole community. The surfing community and the general populace. See Poster .

HAWAII COMES TO THE NH SEACOAST
Hawaii's Most Famous Group Returns for Benefit Concert
The Makaha Sons, Hawaii's most beloved group for over 30 years, return to the New Hampshire Seacoast bringing that aloha spirit this September.

An Evening of Aloha with the Makaha Sons and Friends, presented by Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Company will return to the Meehan Center for the Performing Arts at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham/Exeter, NH on Saturday, September 20 at 7PM.

The night of music will include hula performances by Hui Na Kawaiuaili and Kealo Koko, with musical performances by Margo Reola, Barry Kimokeo, three time Grammy Award Winner Daniel Ho and the Makaha Sons. Ticket are $25 and $30 and are available on line through makahasons.com or Kikenei Productions PO Box 352, Hampton, NH 03842. For more info call 603-812-1514 or email savvylaw@comcast.net.

*The new format of this weekly blog is coming on Sunday September 14th.

Remember my friends...Surfing heals all wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.


Ralph

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Yesterday 1988 My First Magic Short Board Hampton, NH
(Below) This is my favorite photo of me riding my old Magic Board. It was a 6'4" BH thruster. I rode
it in everything. I still have it. I let my kids ride it when they were first learning how to surf. I got it from
Stevie O back in 1984. My buddy Kevin Grondin picked it for me. Man that was 20 years ago...
Photo by Michael Baytoff




2008 Today-My New Magic Shortboard. Hampton NH September 7, 2008.



(Above) The wave is not as big as the one 20 years ago. But the feeling is the same. From the late afternoon
TS Hanna session.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

2008 Today-TS Hanna- New Hampshire September 7, 2008.
*All photos from Today.


(Above) Max Fatello ripping the lid off of Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

 



(Above) Phillip from England surfing New England. Wait Phillip? As in King Phillip?
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Eric Cannon finding the sweet spot.
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) "Hat Girl" Above and "Hat Boy" below. A tip of the Hat to Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Morning Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Steve Franson goes fishing at the Wall.
Photo by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Eric Cannon exiting Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) Early morning Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) Lenny wheeling thru Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Eric late day carve Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) Max late day carve Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Cross Town Traffic-Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) Beautiful photo Ed...really pretty. Late day LB Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) MVF roof riding. Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell


(Above) Showing off my new board. Hanna.
Photo by Ed O'Connell



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 Mackey V from the Hanna sesh in New Hampshire.
The SFOD movie is a SHORT WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP.
Video Frame grab by R. Fatello SFOD


(Above) Nice photo Johnny . Very nice. The tube ride and the backdrop says it all.
This is why we live and surf here.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) The New England wave.
Photo by John Carden



(Above) New England summer.
Photo by John Carden

(Above) The Call of New England
Photo by John Carden

(Above) Stevie O after work sesh.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) People pay big bucks to travel to places like this. We're pretty lucky.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) Stevie O bouncing around the shorebreak. The other day I was out surfing with Stevie and
I have to tell you, he was popping little airs on every other wave and he was doing it with ease.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) Empty Wave. Hanna at the Wall.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Billy Hartford with buddy Darrin and Billy's two Springers Henry and Sally. Hanna - Wall.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD




(Above) Kody Grondin rushing off to meet Hanna.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Hanna at the Wall.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Empty Waves. Hanna at the Wall.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) The Boys. Hanna at the Wall.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Prior to my first session with this board. I got barreled on my first ever ride on this
board. Hanna at the Wall.
Photo by Kim Grondin



(Above) Hanna winding down.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Lars reef riding Hanna.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Erik Zak doing his Vince Fiero impression. Hanna NH
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD




(Above) Walk across water. Hanna at the Wall.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD




(Above) North of the madness. Chris Griener.
Photo by M. Winter



(Above) Late in the day. The sun was warm, the wind died down and the swell kept pumping.
James Tucker.
Photo by M. Winter



(Above) Point Panic today in Hawaii.
Photo by Bernie Baker

Today 2008 PARTING SHOT Which Way You Guys Going?



(Above) I'm counting 6 guys on this one peak. Seems a tad congested.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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