March
14th, 2005
Little
late this morning kids. Sorry about that. I don't really have a deadline.
It's not like Dave is watching the clock and screaming at me to get
the weekly column up. However, I like to try and get this column done by Sunday
night. Most times I succeed. Other times, like yesterday, I get hung up. And
(big surprise), it's usually due to surf related issues. I did have a full
day yesterday. Starting with snow blowing my driveway for the millionth time
this winter. Then I shot some early morning surfing. It was so beautiful with
the snow and all. Then I went snowboarding for the day with my two nephews
and son. We tried to get back in time to get a surf in, but, our aching muscles
and the waning light put the Kabash on that plan. Ever done that? Snowboard
and surf in the same day? It's cool if you can pull it off. Because of our
close proximity to both the coast and the mountains, it's possible to do.
I've done it several times. You should try it if you haven't already. Then
you can tell your grandkids one day. "When I was your age Spunky,
I went surfing and snowboarding in the same day and I didn't throw up in the
dam car!"
The surf and snow combination is almost getting tiring. I say almost, because
come this summer we're all gonna be wishing for something to ride when those
flat spells come rolling in. And you know they're coming. You do know that
don't you? You older mature surfers certainly know it. But you youngin's might
not. It will be flat for days on end with no relief anywhere in sight. And
it's during those desperate moments, that we'll think back on this winter
and wish we had another day of snow and surf. Oh, it's coming alright.
So be careful of what you wish for.
If you
got good surf pics send em off to me directly.
Just make sure they're NOT huge files. 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
Yesterday
1966. Peter Stokes Toes
On The Nose
This is the first photograph of a series of photos that Peter brought to me
on Saturday. Peter has a vault of old photos that I will be featuring here
in the weeks to come. Peter responded to my request for Old Photos and let
me scan a batch of great old stuff. This particular photo was taken somewhere
South of Seabrook Beach and North of Plum Island. It's a place that had a
low budget Steak named after it. Can you guess where and what the hell I'm
talking about?
photo
courtesy of Peter Stokes
There
were quite a few comments in my email box over last week's display of WipeOuts.
I thought it was a different approach
to the weekly photo page. I mean, all those wipes happened in the same week.
I also got several more photos from California. They had quite the
swell. Some of that stuff was impressive. But I have to say, as impressive
as their photographic evidence was, it pales in comparison to what we deal
with all winter. Yes, they get bigger surf. And yes, their swells are more
consistant than ours. However, our extreme winter conditions puts a whole
other spin on what we have to endure. Look, if you know any native west coast
surfers, or, any warmer climate surfers, you know that they cringe when they
hear what we deal with on a regualr basis during our cold months. In other
words, from November to March, we get some big swells and we deal with weather
that would send most of those trunk surfing wooses running for their Hot Tubs!
Stand tall and proud my Easties! You are the Real Winter Surfer. Make
no mistake about it.
Happy Saint Patricks Day to all my Irish friends. Although I
have no Irish blood in me, I wear the green on St. Patty's Day
in honor to all of you who bleed the green blood. My wife and kids have some
Irish blood in them, so I am near and dear to you...my McSurfers!
Next week I'm going to write about discovery. Both here and abroad. So think
about your own surf discoveries and maybe drop me a line.
As
always my friends...Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
