I will never tire of the excitement that a tropical storm/hurricane causes here in the community each season. And this last one was no exception. Hurricane EDOUARD delivered the goods, the day after we expected he would. And for a short window, that pulse sent us waves that had the whole coast rocking. I wish I could say that I surfed this swell, but I did not. I had every intention of surfing, but just did not have that opportune window.

I did however shoot both stills, and video.

And I was lucky enough to shoot one of my old friends getting a barrel that may very well be the best photo ever taken of him. I don't know who was happier. Me or him? Clearly he was beyond stoked. In fact, the pic was one of a 8 shot sequence.



As you can see my friend Kenny Linseman was slotted perfectly on this gaping right hander. I know there have been deeper barrels here in NH, and I'm sure I have shot a bunch. But this is special because I know how hard it is getting older in life and the chances of getting those good set waves don't come as often as they used to. So for me to be there camera in hand and capture this wave, well it was a great feeling for both of us. As I said, I'm not sure who was more stoked.

But I'm glad I shot it for Kenny. And I know he's stoked I got it too.

I also got a few other memorable pics from Edouard and there are at least 4 galleries down in the blog that will attest to that. Like this shot of Mike Stanek. This is another pic from a sequence.



Again, another barrel of a local rider. Though there is a vast age difference between Kenny and Mike, it's still a great feeling for both the photographer and the rider, when these moments come together.
I sell high res pics of images all the time. But I have to say, it's such a great feeling to be able to provide a surfer with a high res pic that I just know is going to make his day. One thing I do know about surfing is this. We ALL want a good photo of us surfing. Every single surfer wants one. I know this because I have a few of me surfing.

There is one that Ed shot of me back in 2008 that I just love.

And there's others that I have collected over the years, like this one I have of me surfing this same spot in 1988.



Michael Baytoff shot this on October 11th, 1988. At the same place the two other photos above were shot. Funny because I was just talking to Kenny about his photo, and I told him how I felt that I was so deep when I was riding that wave, but when I saw the photo, I could not believe it looked the way it did. To me, in my mind, the wave was bigger and hollower.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the photo. I just thought I was deeper.

Surf photography can do that to you.



Back to last week's great swell. This pic I shot of Kody Grondin at the wall looked so tropical to me. Or rather it looked like New Zealand or Australia . Just so green and machine like. EDOUARD you did not disappoint us. I just wish there was more of you. You were spent on day 3 and left a lot of us wanting more. I wanted more because I had not yet surfed.

But alas, that is the dilemma of being a surf photographer. you MUST shoot first and then surf. I just told Andrew Rebeiro this same thing. Shoot and then surf.

Otherwise you will miss the best waves.

I am not sad to see this summer come to an end. Hands down the saddest summer of all time. Today is the official end of Summer.
June 21st to September 21st. Summer. Not that any of you need a
re-cap but for me personally? I lost 6 people that I knew this summer. And they were not all my age. Granted 4 of the 6 were in their 60's but the first and last were too young.

Michael Colby on June 9th, Ed O'Connell on July 1st, John "JT" Taylor on July 6th, Allan MacGregor July 21st, Rick Savastano August 7th, and Emma Jacobs September 10th. That is way too many people associated with this seacoast.

Five surfers in one summer. I am for some unknown reason thinking about the old surf movie FIVE SUMMER STORIES.

Speaking of surf movies, the BELLA VITA Surf movie was so good this past week. I mean, it was really well done. I hope that Italy does not now turn into a zoo because of this movie. But let's be honest. Italy will never be a bona fide surf destination. And most surfers are way too impatient to wait for waves. And waiting for waves is what surfing in Italy is all about.



A row of Italian surfers. Local Italians that is. We all loved it.

But being Italian, I would love to go there and surf her waves. Especially seeing how I have never been to Italy.

I would like to see where my family came from before I die.

I have to admit. October is by far my favorite time of the year. Ever since I was a kid I loved this month. And when I was away in the Marine Corps a million miles from here, it was October I missed the most. I can't think of a better month that says "New England " then October. The foliage, the surf, the overall weather, and vibe is just so much the reason why I think most of us love it here. I know it is for me. And I would venture to say the same is true for most of you.

I can't wait until it gets here. Until then...

"Surfing and October Heals All Wounds"