Got good surf pics?
Send em off to me directly.
(See link below) Just make sure
they're 650 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 Pic Of The Week

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

December 2nd, 2007

Wait, it's really December? How the hell did that happen? Whoa. I don't know about you guys, but I'm not sure I'm quite ready for it being December already. The cold is in the air. It's coming. The coldness is coming.

But seriously folks, how about a BIG Hand for the month of November! Come on people, let's give it up for November. Clearly the month that saved the year 2007 from almost a shut out. A come from behind month. Dam November was number 1!

Then again, we had some sadness in November. And some of us would give every wave back if we could change the sadness of this past month. But talking about the waves, and the waves only, well Ole November goes down as one of the best.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that December is just as good. Who knows, we might finally be on an upswing with surf.

Hey a big shout out to all of you who attended the Fund Raiser at the Legion last night for Gary Ritchie. It was a blast, and I know that Gary was more than just pleased with the out pouring of funds, but also your true friendship and support. It was a great time, for a great cause. We're all very fortunate to have Gary still with us. Amen.

A big thank you has to go out to members of his family who helped out. Billy and Alex Ritchie. Jessica Ritchie. And Gary's Mom and his Girl Dee. To anyone else I may have inadvertently forgotten. Thank you.

We did have fun. Three different bands played and then we all jammed at the end of the night. So a big shouty outy to the bands. BIG HANDSOME DADDY, KINGS HIGHWAY and CHRIS&SKIP (SCRIP) and to all of you who dropped by and hung out with the G-Man and listened to some live music.

The music was rocking and was very unique, highlighting each act's different styles. At the end of the night, we all did this wild percussion jam that was so cool...hell I even played Johnny Reynold's Timbales. I had a blast. And at one point, the clock had almost struck midnite and Dave Cropper was still jamming on stage. Say what???

That's the magic of jamming. You lose all sense of time.

And a special thanks you for all of you who sent in donations by mail. Oh and the restaurants who gave Gift Certificates (Galley Hatch and...?) And a Biggy ass shout out to the Surf Shops who helped out CINNAMON RAINBOWS and PIONEERS!

And we can't forget the American Legion Hall who cut the cost by more than half to rent the Hall. Hand Salute!

You know you can say what you want about surfers in general, but let me tell you something. Out here in New England, we come together for each other when there's a need to do something like this. You showed that respect with Todd's paddle a couple of weeks ago and you showed it last night for Gary.

Feel good about yourselves today you hardcore surfers. You not only deserve it, you earned it.

Last night, Brian from KingsHighway walked up to me and thanked for writing about Todd last week. He said it really moved him, and he wanted me to know it. I of course thanked him (like I do every week, when someone drops me an email, or I see someone down at the ocean), and then I told him, about a negative email I received about that same subject, just two days ago.

It was from a surfer on the West Coast, who had the nerve to complain to me (he even called me Dude) that I wasn't running enough of his photos (he sends me dozens of California) and that I was obsessed with death by writing about it every week.

I had to explain to this West Coast Surfer, that this particular column, is based out of New England and more specifically...New Hampshire. I know there are hundreds of Westy Surfers who live and surf out west, who used to live around here. New England has bred more global surfers than you think. I know lots of you personally. I also know, that this weekly column, is one way for those expatriates of keeping your finger on the pulse of what's going on back home in New England. You all know who you are.

Sometimes bad things happen. So being the source of all news for you, I write about it. Especially if it's someone close to me, or close to someone out here. Todd Ross was my friend. Todd was a surfer. I'm going to write about these events because it affects us all. My Mother passing away? Please. I'm going to say something about it. Danny Miller? John Bocko? Ray Hackett? Joe Somogyi? Look, I think you all know where I'm going with this.

My point is (To this individual and anyone else who might feel the same is) this weekly column is 90% about New England. If you don't like what I write about...Don't read it. Look at the photos and video clips instead. But please don't complain to me about not running enough photos of California (Lord knows I already do anyway) and don't tell me, that I write too much about those who passed away who used to live and surf here.

To those Westy Surfers who used to live and surf here, don't worry. Nothing's going to change on my end. To the few who don't get what I'm doing...well, I can't help you. I feel sorry for you. We're a surf community here. We like each other enough, that when bad things do happen, we come together as a brotherhood and family. Imagine that.

Good Luck Patriots! Let's keep it going boys. Let's smoke them Birds (Ravens) and let's smoke em early...none of this Eagle stuff. My heart can't take that again.

You can still send a donation to:
The 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

I

Yesterday 1973 Doctor D on a 7' 2" Single Fin in NH
(Below) This wave was one of at least a half a dozen that Kevin Grondin pulled into one morning and got
so barrled. I was with Jason Hammer when we first pulled up to check the surf. We saw Kevin get two back to
back barrels and then we scrambled back to our houses to get our boards and wetsuits and I also grabbed my
GAF Super8mm movie camera. The video clip of the week this week is all shot from that camera. Note: Kevin is
not wearing a leash here.
Video Movie Frame Grab by R. Fatello SFOD





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 Chris Valhouli (and Todd Ross) ABOVE FOR a SHORT
WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP from a soon to be released in 2008 called YESTODAY
VIDEO clip courtesy by SFOD R. Fatello

CLICK HERE for the wonderfully written Eulogy by Todd's close Friend (and ours) Stan Chew.
TODD ROSS EULOGY


Last Night Saturday Nite 12-01-07 The Get Gary Back On His Feet Fundraiser



(Above) Think Gary was happy last night? Ask Hannah.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Part of the local crew who came out on a cold windy winter night to support a friend.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Toasting the man of the hour. Gary happy to be alive and to see his friends..
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) The Nichols bought a slew of raffle Tix and it paid off.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Buck and Dee calling out the lucky numbers.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) BIG HANDSOME DADDY ran through a handful of Hendrix covers and things got rocking.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) Chris and Skip were next and they did a cool set of beatnik/folk/hip hop rock. I dug their sound.
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD


(Above) Then Kingshighway came on and rocked out with a bunch of their new songs including my fave
new KH song "Headlock".
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD



(Above) The JAM Band finished up with some wild percussive trippy song. All in all it was a very good
night and we all helped not only raise money for a good cause, we raised the spirits of each other.
Photo by Lenny Nichols

Today Nov. 22, 2007 A few More Westy Thanksgiving Photos


(Above) Thanksgiving was the official Opening day for Big waves out in the Northwest.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man



(Above) Think he made this drop? I'd say no. For sure he wishes he was home eating Turkey.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man

(Above) That's a big ass wave. Looks cold, but not as cold as we get.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man



(Above) Holy crap! That's one big Thanksgiving Day wave.
Photo courtesy of Mysto-Man

Today 2007 A few more Local November Photos and more


(Above) Casey Lockwood on a nice left.
Photo by John Carden



(Above) Mike Moran and friends.
Photo by John Carden



(Above) This looks like a contest photo. This is S2H Ramsdell at the Wall.
Photo by Caity Ferrini



(Below) We have an outstanding crew of local Photographers who contribute photos all year long.
John Carden, Ed O'Connell, Bob Constentino, Christian Kozowyk and so many others.
These guys produce quality stuff for you and all of us really. If I can help these guys out from time to time
I will. I'm sure if you've seen many of these photographers work on this weekly, you can contact me or them
directly and buy a copy of one of these great photos. Keep that in mind all year long.

Meanwhile, one of our most prolific photographers on the Seacoast, who has had his work
published in all the major Surf Magazines and was raised right here in Hampton is offering a unique
Seasonal Gift Idea. (See below) Check out Brian Nevins amazing work at the following shops:
CINNAMON RAINBOWS, PIONEERS, and JBS. He's selling (20) 5x7 images under 8x10 White Mats. as
well as signed and wrapped. This is a onetime offer as Brian will not be printing anything else this
Holiday season. My advice is to get one of these before they are gone.




Today 2007 Parting Shot... Miss Frozen Hampton Beach



(Above) Leah Grondin was named Miss Hampton Beach this past summer. And I believe she's the First Miss
Hampton Beach who actually surfs. Here she is yesterday, with her Mom and Dad (Mr and Mrs Hampton Beach)
standing out in the cold performing her civic duties as the local beauty queen. For sure she'd rather be surfing at a
tropical location.
Photo by John Carden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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