The Hardest Thing to Fake

You know what's hard to fake? (No not that.) Talking about smiles. A smile is hard to fake. And by smiles, I'm talking the ear to ear grin. Not the smirk. Real smiles. Smiles that end with laughter. Those are the kind of smiles that I bore first hand witness to these last few days.

In fact, my face is still hurting from smiling. Seriously.

On Friday we held our 5th annual Day at 18th Street on North Beach in Hampton, NH. We had about 25-30 participants. And about 75-100 volunteers.

And I can honestly tell you all with 100% complete conviction, that I do not know who had the most fun. The participants or the volunteers? Because they were all smiling. Every single one of them. Laughing, hooting, and grinning all day long.

[First photo] Like Chris here. Friday was his first time back in the water since his injury. His smile was electric. Just beaming. Lighting up the line-up. Same with his volunteers. LIke I said, it's hard to tell who has the most fun.

It's easy to get caught up in the day, as you witness people riding waves from standing up, to laying down on their stomachs. The sensation is the same. They are just like us. We are all "stoked" before and after surfing. That stoke is just as real for them. Perhaps even stronger. Think about it.

Imagine being confined to a wheelchair and then someone introduces you to surfing. Feeling that rush of salt water hitting you in the face as you speed towards the shore. That light is going to go on in your head, and you are going to be instantly stoked. And if you are there as a volunteer, and you get to see that up close and personal. It is truly a remarkable feeling that will stay with you forever.

Peter (above ) was a Special Forces coordinator for an AF Arty battery. He called in Air Strikes for the AF forces on the ground. He kept repeating my Robert Duvall line speech that I gave earlier in the day..."If I say it's safe to surf-it's safe to surf!"

And it was safe to surf. Especially with the many wonderful volunteers who show up year after year to lend a hand. Men and women from all walks of life who want to help in any way shape or form. They just want to give back. It's amazing to witness.

They stay in the water all day assisting those who need assistance. Never complaining. Always smiling, always hooting, always offering words of encouragement. It is infectious to be part of it all.

Then there are those who are first timers. Both participants and volunteers. And once again, they both leave the beach at the end of the day with a tremendous feeling of good will and a true sense of accomplishment. As well they should.

[Third photo] The simple act of riding a wave can be so profound for those who have lost the ability to walk on their own, or lift themselves up with no hands. Or the invisible wounds. PTSD.

But when the day is over and we all look back at the ocean and see the sunburned smiles and lingering laughter, we all nod and agree, that surfing does indeed, heal all wounds.

Thank you again ALL the Volunteers who gave back so much to these brave men and women. You have inspired many to become better people in their lives.

[Fourth photo] Speaking of volunteering and helping people. The second big event this weekend was the 3rd Annual MOLLY SURF Contest. The Surf Contest named after 5 year old Molly Rowlee who lost her battle with cancer in 2009. The contest was put together by her dad Buck, and has not only grown in both popularity in attendance each year, but also as a huge fundraiser. The contest is a complete hoot and it's just full of laughing/hooting/high fives and hugs and kisses.

And the people who volunteer their time to help make the event go smoothly must be thanked. And it's interesting to note, that a lot of the same volunteers who helped out at the Wounded Warriors also help out at the MOLLY. That's community for you my friends.

Surfing. Community. Love.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

This is a weekend of losses for the Armstrong name. First Lance Armstrong was stripped of all his titles after dropping his defense from the "juiced up" charges. Too bad. Not sure what to make of all that. But if I were to guess, there must be some truth to all of it. Otherwise I can't imagine that they would cut him loose. He was an inspiration for many cancer survivors.

But again, I do not know enough to comment.

Then we lost Neil Armstrong. The first man to walk on the moon. That's a pretty heavy title. July 20, 1969. For those of us who remember, it was and still is a big deal. Rest in Peace Neil.

Rest in peace Count Von Count from Sesame Street. And RIP Terry "Tube steak" Tracey from California who was one of the original Malibu surfers during the Gidget era.