Got good surf pics?
Send em off to me directly.
(See link below) Just make sure
they're 650-700 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's Pic Of The Week


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

 

September 28, 2008

If I heard the words "Perfect Storm" one more time during this past week I would of screamed. How many expert weathermen and know-it-alls did you hear blowing that horn? I swear if I had a dime...actually, I was calling it the "Near Perfect Storm", or "Almost The Perfect Storm".

The references to the infamous, October 30, 1991 Halloween Swell that was dubbed the "Perfect Storm" and as you all know by now, later became the Huge Hollywood movie blockbuster of the same name, starring George Clooney and company were numerous.

Dam that was a long sentence.

Any ways, yes we had a Nor'easter and yes we had a Hurricane (Kyle). But the two did not marry and spawn a devil child, subtropical, ass kicking swell machine like it did back in 1991. Hardly. But it did give us waves from late Thursday right through today. And it looks like we have a shitload more surf heading our way before this thing finally slams into Maine or Nova Scotia.

We got waves and the water was warm and...the crowds were thin. Which leads me to believe that the majority of the crowds from last weekend are Fair Weather Surfers. In other words, they like the sun. Not that we all don't dig the sun, we do. But any real surfer worth his salt knows dam well that surfing here in New England requires a certain appeal for Foul Weather conditions.

Because if all you are willing to surf in, here in New England is Sun and warm water well, you might think about taking up another hobby. Cuz your days will be few and far between out in the line-up. Not that I'm complaining, because I am not. I guess it just goes to show you, what a difference a week makes.

Last week I counted over 300 people in the water, and this week there were under a 100. You know, I can't believe I'm even writing this shit. Since when is under a 100 people in the water not crowded? Dam times have changed.

So how about Hurricane Kyle? Not bad. And like I said, I believe the best is yet to come. Unless my astute (gut feeling) calculations are off. And lord knows, it would not have been the first time.

I guess the most surprising thing about this latest swell is the fact that it's still warm. I mean the water temps. Actually, the humidity felt tropical as well. It was steamy and humid there for a while. Hell, I even turned on the AC again. And why not? It felt like Manila there for a day or two. And how about that Fog? Whoa that was heavy (again the pun was not intended, but clearly works here).

I'd say it was quite thick. Pea Soup Fog conditions.

But dam, that water was warm. I wore my 2mil and no boots or gloves. The longer I can prolong the additional rubber, the happier I am. It won't be long before the 3mil goes on and then the 4/3 with Boots and Gloves and finally the big thick ass 5/4/3. Oh man, I'm not looking forward to that. But I know it's coming. I just wish it would slow down a bit. Please?

Oh and I hope you all are aware that the last 3 swells have all hit on the weekend. Someone must be watching over us. Or over you guys. I can sneak away during the week due to my flexible work schedule and close proximity to our playground. And honestly, I've felt guilty about scoring waves, while a great deal of you have to work. I just work weird hours. And it's not uncommon for me to work into the wee hours of the night.

Case in point. I'm doing exactly that right now.

I'm writing my column and it's late. But if I don't do it now it might not get done until tomorrow and all you Monday Morning Pic of the Week fans will be pissed. And I wouldn't want that.

Believe it or not, I look forward to seeing the pics myself every Monday Morning. Hey does that make me a Ralph's Pic of the Week Fan?

Man, I'm losing it. It's getting late.

.

I experienced a sad moment for myself this week. And it caught me by surprise. I was driving down the street to catch some waves. I had my board on the roof. Clearly anyone who knows anything about surfing and our lifestyle would recognize me for what I am. A surfer.

Heading in the opposite direction was another surfer. Board on the roof and heading out of town. Two surfers passing each other along Rte 27 in Hampton, "Yea?" you're thinking "so what? " Well, our eyes locked on each other for a split second. Clearly, we saw that each of us recognized the other as a surfer. You know, a fellow tribe member.

Yet, we both stared blankly ahead. No wave. No nod of the head. Certainly no smile, and most definitely no "Shakah".
I know this sounds silly to some of you, but do you realize, that there used to be a time, when surfers would acknowledge each other, even if they did not know one another. It's true. Surfers used to wave at other surfers, simply because, they were surfers. Not today. Perhaps never again. At least on this coast. Or this country.

What happened? Well the crowds didn't help. Hell all the shit we've talked about in the last 20 years didn't help. We have become more jaded. More protective. More isolated, even though we have become more populated. I find it such a rewarding feeling to go out of my way to say hi to total strangers in the water. I like the semi surprise look on their faces when I do.

No I'm not getting soft in my older age. I guess if anything, I'm trying to reconnect with a part of my past. Our past. When surfers actually liked one another.

That doesn't mean you can start taking waves from me or park in my favorite spot. It just means that maybe we should wave a bit more when we drive by each other. Smile a little more. Tolerate each other.

Although my son has said that people have waved at me when we drive by and I don't wave back. That's because I can't see anymore and I honestly didn't recognize them. But I'm not talking about driving by people I know.

I'm talking about the average Joe Blow Surfer who you don't know from Adam. Those guys. A fellow tribesman.

Who knows, the surfer you wave at might end up doing something nice for you someday. Or he/she could be some wacky Howard Hughes type looney bird, looking to give away a few million dollars to the next stranger who waves at him. Now wouldn't that be a story?. Man it's really late.

I'm getting loopy here.

So the Patriots are fixing the holes in the dike while your Red Sox have made the Play-Offs as a Wild Card team. Their season continues. And October is a great month for Baseball. Especially if our boys are into the post season. Which they are. Now if the Pats can shore up their defense and Matt Cassel can pull it together and find Randy Moss, we should have a fun Fall.

Local Rye NH surfer transplant Oakley Clark wants all you NH surfers and beyond to know that he is working with a a surf film festival in New York at the the end of this month. You can find out more info at the www.nysurffilm.com. website.


And don't forget to check out Chris Shipley's 2009 Calenders. They are in all the shops


* Rest in Peace Paul Newman.

Remember my friends...Surfing heals all wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.


Ralph



 

Yesterday-October 30, 1991 The Perfect Storm
(Below) The storm and swell to end all storms and swells. Yet they keep trying to re-create this thing again.
I always say, be careful of what you wish for.
This wave appears in the SFOD movie "99 to 90-". The Halloween Swell of 91.
Video Frame Grab by R. Fatello SFOD




2008 Today-Hurricane Kyle September 28, 2008 * All photos shot today.



(Above) Today. Sunday morning Hurricane Kyle. This bottom turn felt very familiar to me. No wonder,
20 years ago, I did the same turn on a similar wave around the same time of year. My Magic Board turn.
Check out the pic below, the same turn 20 years earlier on my first Magic board.
New Photo by Ed O'Connell old photo by Michael Baytoff.




(Above) Zach looking serious on this Kyle glass burger. Sunday Sept. 28, 2008.
Photo by Ed O' Connell

(Above) Mikey Evans on a nice glassy right at the Wall.
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Mikey's dad Rick on a Glassy Kyle Left.
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above and below) Craig SURF GEL applying the torque provided by his product.
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Jared Velstos stomping on an inside section.
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Sean McCiask slicing a piece of the Hurricane Kyle Pie. Look at that piece out the back!Z
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Jared Velstos hitting the brakes.
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Tree Todd's youngest son Jake get's a little zipper right.
Photo by Ed O' Connell



(Above) BHD breaking free from a tight section.
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Zach doing his patented Z-turn.
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Jared in the box..."pop goes the weasel".
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Mike Evans into the inside section. The same section his older brother Matt surfs and his dad Rick.
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Unknown on a clean looking left.
Photo by Ed O' Connell


(Above) Mike Stanek vs spiderman this morning, Sunday Sept. 28, 2008 at the Wall.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) Mike Stanek Sunday Sept. 28, 2008 at the Wall.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) This morning, Sunday Sept. 28, 2008 at the Wall.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) Every now and then the fog would lift, Sunday Sept. 28, 2008 at the Wall.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) Looks like fun to me. Sunday Sept. 28, 2008 at the Wall.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) Looking the other way. John's Wall Perspective. Sunday Sept. 28, 2008.
Photo by John Carden



(Above) Adam Coates playing in his new front yard. Sunday Sept. 28, 2008
Photo by John Carden


(Above) Tobey finds the tube of the day, Sunday Sept. 28, 2008 at the Wall.
Photo by John Carden



(Above) Lars impacted like a pesky wisdom tooth. This morning, Sunday Sept. 28, 2008 at the Wall.
Photo by John Carden


(Above) Casey Lockwood Saturday morning blast.
Photo by Jamie Wade



(Above) Saturday morning abrupt re-direct.
Photo by Jamie Wade


(Above) Heel to toe. Saturday morning 9-27-08.
Photo by Jamie Wade


(Above) Floating the Foam. Saturday morning.
Photo by Jamie Wade


(Above) The crew gathers and observes.
Photo by Jamie Wade



(Above) Steve Rafferty cutting back.
Photo by Jamie Wade



(Above) Tobey says "Hell Yea!"
Photo by Jamie Wade


(Above) Skip says "Hell No!"
Photo by Jamie Wade


(Above) Goofy cut down Saturday morning.
Photo by Jamie Wade



(Above) Who Da Guy? I know I must know him.
Photo by Jamie Wade



(Above) Nice Turn by Perry Reynolds.
Photo by Jamie Wade

 



(Above) Markey J: "Hey how is it?"Paul: "Hey Howzit."
Photo by Jamie Wade



(Above) Markey J leaning back into a Kyle style glide.
Photo by Jamie Wade



(Above and below ) Markey J taking the "Hook shot" and the stroll back.
Photo by Jamie Wade



(Above) The sun popped out and Billy Ritchie snagged a few in between fog banks.
Photo by Jamie Wade


(Above) Billy Ritchie is such a smooth and powerful surfer.
Photo by Jamie Wade



(Above) Duffy McCarthy turning back for more.
Photo by Jamie Wade


(Above) Only Duffy McCarthy turns like this. .
Photo by Jamie Wade


(Above) Max and Jesse this morning. They had a rough day on the Football field yesterday. Good thing
they have surfing. Photo
by R. Fatello SFOD


(Above) MVF picks one off and runs it back for a TD.
Photo
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 Kevin Grondin surfing the REAL Perfect Storm back in 1991.
The SFOD movie is a SHORT WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP from the movie 99 to 90.
Video Frame grab by R. Fatello SFOD

2008 Today-New England September 28, 2008.

 

(Above) Brian went south of the border today. Here's a sneak preview of what he got.
Photo by Brian Nevins



(Above) Big clean and Empty? Say what???
Photo by Brian Nevins



(Above) Nicely lined up
Photo by Brian Nevins


(Above) Adam was fighting a cold, but not the fashion police.
Photo
by R. Fatello SFOD

Today 2008 PARTING SHOT- How To Pop an AIR!



(Above) Dude I got so much air! I was flying!
Photo by Jamie Wade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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