Community Rallying Around Surfer with Cancer

Goodbye February, you were so much fun.

I'm watching snow falling outside my studio window as I am writing this week's blog. This has to be one of the snowiest winters since 2011. And I remember that winter firsthand. That was my "Molly Winter" where I surfed everyday. That was a very cold and snowy winter. This winter reminds me of that.

I always smile when people see me during a snow storm and say "Bet you're glad you don't have to surf in this snow storm."

As most of you winter surfers know. It's not that big of a deal. I mean, surfing in the winter. Not today. Not with the amazing technology of making seamless wetsuits where no water gets in. Hell anybody can surf these days. All the shops carry winter suits, boots, gloves, and hoods to get your butt out there without freezing to death. And look don't get me wrong, you can still get hurt out there.

[Photo 2] This is what happened to my buddy Buck last week. He broke his nose. His board hit him in the snot locker and busted his nose. He may have been warm in his wetsuit, but he was hurting for certain with his busted up snozz. Sorry Buck, but this is local news and I must report this stuff.

I talk pretty regularly with my friends on the west coast and they are always amazed when I tell them the water temps and air temps. These are native westies though. Not the transplants. Those guys are hip to what we get, and what we have.

And what we just had in February, was pretty damn good.

Lots of amazing back to back swells. Even this past week we had several days in a row of head high and or better. And the kids were on February break as well. I saw lots of local grom rippers with big smiles on their faces rushing off to hit the surf.

Nothing like a stoked winter grom.

Surfers who live in this community are a lucky bunch. Most of the surfers are still un jaded. They are for the most part, happy to be part of this lifestyle and more importantly, to be part of this community. They rally around one another when the call goes out. From helping families, to cleaning the beaches, to standing up at public forums to fight for the beaches and the rights to use those beaches.

And, they come to the aid, of a local in need of help.

Once again, the community is coming together to help one of our own. Rick "Sav" Savastano was recently diagnosed with cancer. He started treatments about 3 weeks ago and has been holding up well on the surface. But as anyone knows who has dealt with any kind of disease, there is a financial and emotional burden that comes with those treatments.

Rick is no different. The costs of paying monthly bills, and utilities has created a stress that is simply not conducive to getting better. So that's where we come in. We have the power to help. We as a local surf community can make a difference. We made a difference with the MOLLY Fund each year. We made a difference with the Wounded Warriors each year.

We can do something to help. So I am asking you to please lend a hand. Reach out to someone who has reached out to so many over the years. Rick Sav is a warm, soft spoken individual, who needs our help. Like many of his generation he is humbled by the attention, and quite frankly, is not that comfortable with it.

But he understands that his family and his friends want to help.

So click here for more information. And I hope that as a community we can make a difference in another friend, surfer, brother's life. See you all on the 23rd of March.

So February will be missed. But at least she left behind some beautiful images [Photo 3]. Thank you Febby...it sure was nice having you here. The shortest month of the calendar year gave us the best waves so far. Not to mention these amazing memories.