Newsletter

Newsletter May 23, 2004
The photo on the left is of Dillon Cassidy and his Mom Janice. It was taken last November after we won the PeeWee Football Championship. (I am Dillon's Coach) and this photo was taken by wife Cory.
It was a happy day.

This has been a difficult week for a lot of local Surfers. For those who have not heard, Janice Marie a young 36yr old Surfer, mother of two lost her life this last Monday in a tragic Motorcycle accident. She was riding her bike at 7:00PM along a stretch of road in Hampton Falls when a deer jumped into her path. They could not save her. She left behind Dillon her young 12yr son, who's been surfing for a couple of years now and a 19yr old daughter Ashley, who now wants to take up surfing.

It's hard to find words at a time like this besides the obvious, "I'm sorry". But times like this, require us all, as a community, and as a group of individuals, who all share the one common thread that runs through us all, The Ocean, to come together. In a gathering. That gathering is called a Surfer's Paddle and it's been a tradition among surfers for many years.

If you're wondering if you should attend, the answer is yes. If you surf, then you should attend. We did the last one about 3 years ago for Bob Hayes. The first one I was ever involved with was back in 1979 for then local Surfer Joe Somogyi. There have been many since. There were several each year for the longest time for Rick Kenney that Steve O'Hara organized.

In short, it's a Surfer's Tribute to a fellow surfer.

It's a good time for all of us to reflect on what we all take for granted. Surfing. It's a good time for us all to take a step back and re-think about what's important in our lives. Certainly, we are all guilty at point or another of an over aggressive attitude in the water. Especially to those who are less skilled at this sport than others. Groms, and Girls have always suffered from bad vibes.

I don't want to get preachy here, but, I honestly think it would be good for us all, to stop, for just one weekend. Almost like a cease fire if you will. And come together as Surfers and as beings who love the ocean. It will be good for the sport, it will be good for the soul.

Please come join us next Saturday, May 29th at 8th Street at 10AM and pay tribute to a fellow Surfer.
(See Poster).

Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph