November 15th, 2009 38 out of 39 weeks of surfable waves.

The definition of the word "Consistent" in the new dictionary (Dictionary.com) is as follows: Agreeing or accordant; compatible; not self-contradictory; constantly adhering to the same principles, holding firmly together; cohering. Not sure what all of that means. But I do know, that for the last 38 out of 39 weeks, we have had surf. And by surf, I mean waist high or better. There's surf right now. Decent surf from the remnants of Tropical Storm IDA. The rain and wind on Saturday was nuts. Really nuts. And speaking of nuts, there were a handful of surfers trying to make sense out of that disorganized storm slop on Saturday.

Was it surfable on Saturday? Well, yes and no. If you call side chopped, mutant head high and bigger- surf, then yes, it was. But if you're one of those, who can't justify paddling out into the mayhem fun...then no, there was nothing really to get excited about. But technically, it was surfable. I shot a few pics on Saturday to back that up. While the surf was sizable, it was clearly not very pretty. In fact, it was downright ugly.

I sat in my vehicle trying to position my vehicle out of the wind, whipped, rain. I found a good angle and settled my JEEP in to see what would come about. There were a couple of guys "consistently" getting waves. But the others, were just getting pushed around by the swirling winds and currents. As I sat there listening to the wipers going back and forth, clearing the rain off my windshield, I couldn't help but think about my youthful days, when I would surf anything, at anytime, anywhere there was surf.

And I paddled out into some sketchy spots, on some crazy days.

But I was younger then. I was full of piss and vinegar. Yes, there was the year of "Surfing everyday for a year". But that was different. Yes, I paddled out into some wacky conditions. But typically on days like this Saturday, I would of paddled out and caught my one wave, and then called it a day. The guys who were surfing on Saturday were actually trying to make something happen, and in doing so, they more than likely had some fun out there.

It didn't look like fun. In fact, it looked miserable. Still, I couldn't help but think back to the days when I would surf days like that, just so I could bust the balls of my friends who chose not to surf. Knowing damn well that it was terrible out there, I would give my friends all kinds of grief. Because that's what surfers do to each other. Funny.

But getting back to all the surf we've had as of late. You know, each year I put out a local surf movie. And while my movies are what they are (local surfers surfing local waves), I try to stay with a concept with each movie. This year was no different. And having a concept usually means coming up with a title that works with the concept. I've had some good titles in the past. GREETING SEASONS, NORTH BY NORTHEAST, THE WALL, 13POINT5...etc etc. Well, the more I thought about all the good surf we've had in 2009...it hit me. I believe I said this before, and that is we've had quite a run of surf since the new year. Then it hit me. Run. As in THE RUN. Run of good waves. So the 2009 Surf Free Or Die Release will be titled THE RUN. There's a little graphic here to start the promotion process.

I'm hoping to get THE RUN in the shops by Thanksgiving Week.

I need to take a moment to thank all the many emails and calls I got from last week's Column. Man, I received so many thank calls and hundreds of thank you emails. I want to put a bunch in the Dropping In On Ralph section, but that's a whole day's worth of work. But honestly, I can't thank you enough for all the well wishes and thoughtful comments on my annual Veterans Day Column. Thank you all again. And Thank you to all my fellow surfer/vets. You guys are the best.

There was one email that I got, that was particularly disturbing. I got it on Veterans Day. When after getting dozens and dozens of positive feedback comments on my Veterans Day Column, this terrible email came in from a surfer weighing in from the "Left Coast". He basically said that the Terrorist Attack at Fort Hood Texas last week was not a Terrorist attack. Really?

This guy Major Coward Nidal Malik Hasan who communicated with known Terrorists in several dozen emails, had Terrorists business cards, had publicly spoken out against the Global War on Terrorism including; claiming that Suicide Bombers were heroes. And finally, this scumbag Major Coward Nidal Malik Hasan chanted "Allah Arkbar" as he shot unarmed Military personnel was not a Terrorist? Huh? No this individual said it was NOT an act of Terrorism-it was a crime. Excuse me, but isn't Terrorism a crime in the first place? I mean hello? I'm putting his email in the Dropping in on Ralph section and I'll let you read what I wrote to him. You might want to keep the kids away from that one. But the bottom line, Mr. Politically Correct Left Coast loser? It was an act of Terrorism. Domestic Terrorism.

If it walks like a duck, and quacks likes a duck, chances are- it's a freakin duck!

Now for some of my weekly Global observances:
So just when you thought you've seen it all, the news about moving the 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheihk Mohammed and four other remorseless scumbag GITMO detainees to stand trial in a Federal Court in Manhattan, some 1000 feet away from the attacks on the WTC is beyond upsetting. Is there something wrong here? I mean, why would we want to cause more grief for the families of the 2,973 American lives who were lost on September 11, 2001? Why? Shouldn't they be tried in a Military Tribunal? Do we really want to sit through a long and enduring ration of absolute BS that will undoubtedly come out of the mouths of these self proclaimed monsters? I mean come on.

My 14 year old daughter, who follows very little news said "Why wouldn't we just execute them for what they did?" I just looked at her. "Good question. Why wouldn't we?" This trial will make the OJ trial look like a DWI case. It will go on and on, and we will have to sit through and watch ridiculous soundbites every night, bad mouthing our country, our president, and all of our religious beliefs and our international Human Right Stands for Freedom and democracy, all for the sake of a fair trial? Fair trial? Are you kidding me?

What was so freaking fair about 9-11?

Let's talk about good people. Officer Kim Munley is the hero Police Officer who shot and paralyzed that Scumbag Terrorist last Week in Texas. She is still recovering from her wounds. Might I suggest, that we give her a Lifelong pension. She deserves it. God Bless her

How about them WINNACUNNET WARRIORS? OK I just got back from watching the local High School Football Play-Off game. My son Max and his teammates beat their lifelong Rivals 17-10 today in a hard fought Football game. The Warriors are heading to the Championship game. Rivals in High School are great fun. Max and Jesse Gould are two local Surfers who are Seniors in High School who just played the best game of their lives today. It was their BIGGEST WIN EVER! So while I am excited about the Patriots playing the Colts tonight. I am more proud and happy about this High School Game with a little more than 5,000 people in attendance.

Still, I'd be happy to see Peyton and company go down. What a day that would be. The Warriors win and The Pats win. Keep yer fingers crossed.

In other sports news The Celtics are up and down the last few games and the Bruins are in the same boat. But their seasons have just started and there is no need to panic just yet. Let's all settle down and watch the Patriots tonight while the local Seacoast families bask in the great victory that they saw today.

Warriors 17 Bluehawks 10. Congrats to both teams for a great season.

They face Bishop Guertin in the DIVISION II Championship Saturday November 21, 2009.

Once again my old coaching motto
If you're losing - Don't Give Up. If You're winning -Don't let up!

Good Luck to the local Seacoast High School Football team the WHS WARRIORS
Beat BG Saturday November 21st in Nashua!
The 2010 Chris Shipley Local Surf Calendars are now in the shops.
Finally a BIG GET WELL shout out to Linda Paugh.

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Remember my friends...Surfing Heals All Wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

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