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

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.


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



I

Yesterday 1975 The Rocks
(Below) Normally I would NEVER name a spot. But today is different. This photo is of a small glassy day at the
Rocks. I surfed this day with my friends. One of whom was Todd's cousin Robin Rowell. Yes there was NO crowd.
And this was summer. That's my old dog Caley. She died in 1989. There used to be a cement slab right at the
parking spot there. We all had signed it when the cement was wet. Some of those signatures are of several surfers
who are longer with us. I mention this because Todd Ross knew of that slab of cement. Although he didn't sign it,
he was aware of it's historical significance. Now that Todd is among the missing, it seems only appropriate that I
run this photo again. Rest in Peace Todd. CLICK HERE for a wonderfully written Eulogy by Todd's Friend Stan Chew.
TODD ROSS EULOGY
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD






Today 2007 The PADDLE FOR TODD, this Sunday November 18, 2007
at 2:00PM at the ROCKS. Please try and attend.




Today 2007 PADDLE FOR TODD Photos JUST IN. These were taken today
Sunday November 18, 2007 at 2:00PM at the ROCKS.
Thank you to all who attended ...it was very moving.




(Above) The Todd Ross Paddle. In just two days we got everyone together and made this happen.
Todd was smiling down on all of you this day.

Photo by John Carden

(Above) The Todd Ross Paddle. Friends spoke and we all listened. That's Robin (Todd's cousin and
LONGTIME NH/Cali surfer in tan jacket) next to Lenny who is featured in the video clip below surfing
with Todd just two weeks ago.

Photo by R. Fatello SFOD


(Above) The Todd Ross Paddle. We all paddled out. Surfers. Long boarders, Short boarders, SUPB's.
All of us togther in honor of one of our own.

Photo by Gabby Fatello SFOD



(Above) The Todd Ross Paddle. We formed the traditional circle. A few more spoke some words.
And then...

Photo by John Carden


(Above) We tossed the flowers and leis and HOOTED so loud that the they heard us all the way North
to Nova Scotia, and far out west, in the land of OZ.

Photo by John Carden


(Above) The Todd Ross Paddle. Then we all came ashore...hooting and hollering and had ourselves
a Hobo Picnic. And toasted Todd until the sun went down.

Photo by Gabby Fatello SFOD


(Above) The Todd Ross Paddle. Cooking Hotdogs and Beans and chicken just like Todd used to do.
Photo by John Carden



(Above) The Todd Ross Paddle. Rest in Peace Brother...we'll see you again on the next world.
Photo by Gabby Fatello SFOD

CLICK HERE for a wonderfully written Eulogy by Todd's Friend Stan Chew.
TODD ROSS EULOGY





(Above) Todd Ross pictured above in several photos. Todd died suddenly of a brain aneurysm this week.
Photos courtesy of Alecia Duffy


(Above) This photo ran a few weeks ago. But a few weeks ago, Todd was still alive. This photo speaks
volumes about who we are, and why we do what we do. Left to right. Mackey V (who just came out of
the water), Todd Ross (looking into his coffee cup with his shorts on), Eric Zak (posing with his orange
sun glasses) and Stan Bocko (striking a funky pose). To say we are a quirky group we surfers, would
be a truthful statement. CLICK HERE for a wonderfully written Eulogy by Todd's Friend Stan Chew.
TODD ROSS EULOGY
Photo 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 Todd Ross (
A TRUE Switch footer) ABOVE FOR a SHORT
WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP from Todd's Last Surf Session 11-04-07
VIDEO clip courtesy by SFOD R. Fatello


CLICK HERE for a wonderfully written Eulogy by Todd's Friend Stan Chew.
TODD ROSS EULOGY


Today November 2007 The Get Gary Back On His Feet Fundraiser



Today 2007 More VETERANS DAY Swell Photos November 11, 2007


(Above) Veterans Day Swell captured by Veteran Photographer/world traveler Brian Nevins.
Brian's dad (Chris) is a Vet and one of my local POST 35 boys who I consider a good friend.
Photo by Brian Nevins




(Above) Look at these waves. Are you kidding me? Look at that inside Wall?????? I guess they call it
the Wall for two reasons...I grew up in that section. Man I can still feel the adrenaline.
Great freaking shot Brian. And on Veterans Day. How about that shit.
Photo by Brian Nevins




(Above) Puerto comes to New England on Veterans Day.
Photo by Brian Nevins




(Above) My favorite local Long boarder Mike Moran. Below sea level, but
above most levels of skilled Longboaders. V-day 11-11-07.
Photo by Brian Nevins



(Above) Come on Mikey Moran! That's ROCKING. That's like a Hendrix guitar solo.
Pull in on Veterans Day and snap a salute!
Photo by Brian Nevins



(Above) Veterans Day secret spot that rhymes with Fatellos. Ha!
Photo by Brian Nevins




(Above) Adam Coates on a macking V- Day Wall Wave. Yea baby. That's what
we're talking about...don't need no rocky bottom to get your thrills on this swell.
You got to pay to play out there.
Photo by Brian Nevins




(Above) These next series of B&W come to us from a Miles O'Sullivan who shot these before he
paddled out. Thank a Vet for these waves. In fact, thank a Vet for every wave in the USA.
Photo by Miles O'Sullivan




(Above) Check out this Vet set!
Photo by Miles O'Sullivan




(Above) Clean as a whistle. I like this B&W look Miles.
Photo by Miles O'Sullivan



(Above) Except it does look colder...or is it really getting this cold?
Photo by Miles O'Sullivan




(Above) This the same wave? Looks like it.
Photo by Miles O'Sullivan




(Above) Just two buddies paddling out on Veterans Day. Hope these guys called their Vet relatives and
thanked them.
Photo by Miles O'Sullivan




(Above) Oh oh, looks like this guy forgot to call his Vet buddies and a sniper took him out!
Photo by Miles O'Sullivan



(Above) Christian gives us an artsy look at the infamous V-Day Swell. Nice.
Photo by Christian Kozowyk



(Above) I knew there would be more images filtering in from this V-Day Swell.
Photo by Christian Kozowyk




(Above) I would of lightened this image up a bit for you fans...but I'm sure this is the look that Christian was after.
So I left it alone.
Photo by Christian Kozowyk




(Above) Way Up North...last Sunday V-Day. Check out the flap on the dude's wetsuit in the front.
Photo by Richard Evans

Today Nov. 2007 A couple of Pre-Noel Shots

(Above) Before NOEL became a named storm it whipped by St. Croix where ex-New Hammy Veteran
Michael Morreale took these shots. This looks like a warm water ROCKS.
Photo by Michael Morreale




(Above) Wait...? St. Croix gets this good? Somebody book me a flight ASAP!
Photo by Michael Morreale


Today 2007 Parting Shot... What the...Frappe Head is Going On????



(Above) Is this one of the strangest images you have ever seen? This poor dude is being swallowed in a Giant
Frappe or Milk shake! 11-11-07
Photo by Miles O'Sullivan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 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