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APRIL 15th, 2017 The RUN is 36 out of 37 Weeks.
Waist high or better at least once a week.
There was No Surf This Week		 Send your SURF Pics to me directly to ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 12 noon on Saturdays. 
Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics..

13 Years, 156 months, 676 weeks, and 4,745 days.



I know that in the big picture, 13 years is not that long. However, not to pat myself on the back here but, I've been doing this Blog for 676 consecutive weeks. Every week without fail. Don't believe me? Go and see for yourselves. All you need to do is click on the Archives tab. They're all there. Every single week. Be forewarned, you might want to get a pot of coffee going. There's a lot of links on that archives page.



I remember when I started this Blog. I thought I'd give it a year or two and see how it goes. If you look back to the early days, you'll see that it was in fact Ralph's Pic Of The Week. That's "pic" as in singular, not "pics" as in plural. To go from one pic a week to hundreds of pics is quite the leap. Ya think?

Once I added a weekly video, it became an even bigger monster.

The truth is, I am at the age of retirement, but you never retire from surfing per se. Hardly, surfing is still my main passion. Surf and surf media. Photography and moving pictures. I love it all. And I suppose I have always had the gift of gab, so it is rare that I am at a loss for words, on something or someone, to write about. That combination is the engine that floats this boat.



But I would be re-missed if I didn't mention the other photographers. You guys are a huge part of this Blog. Without your contributions I could not keep this going. You are the fuel for the engine. There are so many of you over the years, that it would be impossible to name you all. However, there have always been my consistent contributors.

Brian Nevins, John Carden, Maureen McNamara, Kevin Doherty, Lenny Nichols, The Phantom, Martha Lardent, Benjamin Ginsburg, Brian Landergan, Pete Bauer, Kim Grondin, Cory Fatello, Max Fatello, John Adams, David Schultz, Ron Freeman, Dale Kobetich, Bernie Baker, Hannah Vokey, John White, Rachael Galipo, Nicole Chouinard, Brian Sullivan, David Manzi,
Jeffrey Thiel, Brian Thacker, PT Sullivan, Kris Roller, Michael Sander,
Erica Nardone, Scott Synder and so many others.



But there was one person, who truly was my right hand man. A person who shot every single week for me. And I mean he shot the shit out of every swell and every surfer. He was the unknown surfer's best friend. He would shoot anyone who caught a good wave.



I'm talking about Ed O'Connell of course. The late Ed O'Connell.

I can't even begin to tell you all how much I miss Ed. He was more than just a fellow photographer, he was my friend. We shared so much in common. Mostly the surf scene and the other being the War. We both served in Vietnam. He was someone that I could talk to on that level. I'm sure he felt the same. We lost him the summer of 2014.
The surf scene changed forever the day he died. I miss you Ed.

We lost a lot of people from our surf community in the last 13 years.

I don't want to turn this Blog into a In Memory Of Piece, but suffice it to say, I am going to add a In Memoriam page of all the surfers we lost here on the seacoast. I mean that. I want to have a photo or two about each individual we lost. And write a little something about them. I think it would be nice to be able to go and browse through a page where we can read up on those who are no longer with us.



So it looks like we're back to square one as far as the weekly run of surf goes. There was not a wave that I could honestly say was waist high. It just didn't come together. So we stop the current run and start over. I think they are calling for something this coming week. Keep yer fingers crossed, we are after all entering the flat months. Not saying we've seen the last of good surf until September, just pointing out that the jet stream is changing, and those big powerful Nor'easters as of late will be few and far between.

But alas my friends, that is surfing, and we all have to deal with it.

"Surfing Heals All Wounds"

 

 

 

 

 

 



I have always loved this pic. And it was an easy choice for this week's Blog. That's Johnny Meehan at his favorite spot. Johnny himself loves this pic. I believe it is framed somewhere. Home, work, or garden. What? Never mind my thoughts were drifting staring at this pic. I don't believe Ed has ever taken a bad pic. Or at least that any of us would see. I'm sure he was ruthless in picking out which pics to send to me.

I never cared about the small stuff. I knew whatever he'd send, it would be good, and Blog worthy. And I was right. Nice pic here Ed.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances



I just saw on the news that the United States and North Korea are doing a lot of saber rattling. Kim and Trump don't like each very much. And there have been threats from both sides. Really. Two countries with powerful weapons at each other's throats. Not good. If something were to happen? The first thing North Korea will do is destroy South Korea. Within minutes a million people could be dead. Frightening.



The US just dropped the biggest bomb we have on ISIS. The MOAB was dropped in Afghanistan going after ISIS tunnels and caves. I saw the video of that bomb. It looked pretty impressive. I can't imagine what it would be like to be on the receiving end of that bad boy. Some say it's also a message to all of our adversaries to be on their best behavior. There is a new sheriff in town and he has no qualms about using Military force. In fact, he's giddy about it.



I'm sure by now you've all seen the video of the Vietnamese Dr who was hauled off the UNITED flight the other day. How crazy was that shit? Man that is going to be one rich Vietnamese Doctor by the time "Better Call Saul" gets done with them.



KSM Photoshop of the Week
Hopefully the North Korean Loony Bird won't start WWIII this Easter weekend. Wait a second, is that who I think it is walking next Kim Young Un? Why that sneaky little terrorist KSM how the hell did he get to North Korea? I swear someone is not doing their job down in GITMO. Giving this guy weekend passes. That's not right.



Hup two three four what the hell are we marching for....Hup



C'mon people give it up for Kimmy and his new Punk Rock haircut!

So my friends, please take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of Mushroom hats at Home Depot
this week.

 Prayers and positive thoughts to Erica Nardone's recovery.
REST IN PEACE John "J" Geils guitar player for J Giels.
HAPPY EASTER April, 16th, 2017
HAPPY PASSOVER April 2017
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RALPH'S PIC OF THE WEEK my 13th year of blogging. Started on April 15th, 2004. 5

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph
Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on
My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner below
on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDED July 26, 2011.
A Wave a day for 365 consecutive days.
Yesterday- Summer of 1975 "JT" at The WALL
 (Below) I love getting the old photos. And that's exactly what happened this week when David Manzi sent me a link to about 25 old pics from the 70's.
Whenever I saw this one, I almost fell out of my seat. That's the late John "JT" Taylor at the Wall. JT was one of the Rye boys who loved the Wall. While this may not be the best JT photo, it does show his power. Oh could he destroy a wave. We all miss you brother. Happy Easter. Photo by David Manzi


*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

To contact the advertisers below, simply click on the Ad itself. Anyone wishing to find out info about advertising here can do so by emailing me directly by clicking here. Ralph's Email I'll send you a template and other info on how you can become a paid sponsor

We highly recommend the various businesses and artists listed below. Why? Well simply put, each and every one of them is a Surfer, who lives the Surfing Lifestyle, and their business is a reflection of that lifestyle that we all love.


All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK
*Unless otherwise noted.
Today- SURF PICS FROM THE LAST 13 YEARS!
From April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017.
Photos by RALPH and Friends



(Above) This is yours truly on my new Big Guy Tri in 2008. I didn't know
Ed was out there shooting that day. And he didn't know this was me.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photos by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


(Above) This is my favorite empty wave pic. It was a special day, it was my first day of my "Catch A Wave For Molly" campaign. July 26, 200 to July 26, 2011
I had 365 days ahead of me and a boatload of experiences.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Brian Nevins
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS
from Lansdale JEEP the last 25 years, and have
not had a single regret. They are the BEST!!
*Click on the Ad above to see more!


(Above) Phil Carey on a beast of a wave. Somewhere out there.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by John Carden
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) Kyle Linseman flying by me on the last day of Summer in 2014.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) One of my all time favorite surf pics. Max and Sky enjoying the magic of riding a wave. April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by PT
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) What can you say about this? It's Mavericks. If you're like me, you
want no part of that thing. Though, it would be fun to sit in a boat and get
some pics and vids of this arena. April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017
Photo by The Phantom *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Colby can throw some serious wake. I remember this session.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





















(Above) Not sure who this is, I am sure he needs some speed.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) One of Ed's staple pics. No takers on December 14th, 2014.
Quite possibly one of the BEST ever pics of NH.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Somebody was calling this the pic of the year. It was a lucky shot.
I was doing my double fisted deal with both cameras hanging around my neck. I just happened to look up when Markey J went speeding by me.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery











(Above) Mikey Evans has put traditional longboarding back on the map.
And his good friend and mentor Mikey Moran would agree.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) What surfer on the planet wouldn't want a pic of themselves in a
nice barrel like this? Dave "Crop" Cropper filling the bucket list in Fiji.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Lono Humphries
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


(Above) What's better than one pitching lip? That's right two pitching lips.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Maureen McNamara
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) One of my favorite Ed pics. Dan Leahy on a beautiful late afternoon glassy wall wave. April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) That's a serious wave. Jake Davidson taking aim at the shoulder.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Brian Landergan
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







These guys make the BEST decals.







(Above) In case you haven't heard, the girls on the tour can surf better than you.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Ben Ginsberg
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I actually have this one hanging in my living room.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Great shot of someone I can't recognize. Anybody know this guy?
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Martha Lardent
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






North Conway's Family Mountain



Southern New Hampshire's Favorite Mountain



"New England's Most Accessible Resort Destination"




"Ski All Day And Into The Night"






(Above) He's the best for a reason. Another great water angle by Brian Nevins.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Brian Nevins
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







(Above) Billie Ritchie surfing Hurricane Bill in 2009.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by John Carden
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery









(Above) I shot this pic this past winter. It was as windy and cold as this looks.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Chris Stelman liking his decision to move here from Jersey.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Max Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Just another swell from another Nor'easter.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery











(Above) He still has one of the best cutback's in the business. Kevin Grondin.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



Today- The FACES FROM THE LAST 13 YEARS!
From April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017.
Photos by RALPH and Friends



(Above) To this day, no one has a logical explanation for this.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Barbara Savastano
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery








(Above) The last day of my year long undertaking. An emotional moment for
Molly's mom and I. April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) The Man himself. Ed O'Connell April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by John Carden *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






(Above) The Savastano siblings. Miss those parties. Miss Rick more.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) One of the many outdoor events at Flatbread. Tony, Crop, and me.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Our most successful surfer Jimmy Dunn.
April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Good friends and great times. April 15th, 2004 to April 15th, 2017 Photo by Rosalita *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery












Today- More From The April Fools Day Swell
April 1-2-3, 2017. Photos by David Manzi



(Above) Markey J dodging the flotsam and jetsam in the water.
April Fools, 2017 Photos by David Manzi
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




Artie Seaman going back for more. April Fools, 2017 Photos by David Manzi
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery








Great New Marine Forecast Site


We welcome all Surf Related pics from our Readers. Just make sure they are at least 900 pixels wide. If you have any OLD photos of local New England surfers and or of local New England surfing, we would love to see them and share them with our readers.

We can scan them for you. And we get them back to you undamaged. Trust me. We can do this. People love the older stuff. So if you have any, please send 'em along. If you have prints/slides we can scan them for you as well.

And we don't care if you shoot pics with your cellphones. I mean it. Most of the images you see on the news and on the Internet were shot with them Smart Ass Phones. So shoot first and ask questions later, just send the dam things.



   





 




(Above) Everyone has a drone but me. And I was the first one to start talking about them many years ago. Hampton seacoast April- 2017
Photo C/O Paul Chareth
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


(Above) There's only one Pipeline. Winter- 2017
Photo C/O James McGraghan
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


 


(Above) Standing tall in the barrel at Pipe takes guts and knowledge
Winter- 2017 Photo C/O James McGraghan
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
 


(Above) ALL RISE: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session.
The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. CASE #415 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK- Click the image above to see the outcome of this Surf Crime and the
Verdict that was rendered. Photo by Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the OUTCOME.


CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

APRIL FOOLS DAY SWELL 2017 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

Boy where does one begin? Well, we got hit with a major snow storm/Nor'easter on Friday night and Saturday day. It was April Fools day. Who was the joke on? Any way, I shot this in 3 days. Saturday April 1st, Sunday April 2nd, and Monday April 3rd. I did the edit today Tuesday April, 4th, 2017. This modern technology stuff blows my old mind. I'm calling it the APRIL FOOLS DAY SWELL. I'm not sure I can remember every surfer in this web edit, but I'll give it a shot. Kevin Grondin, Kody Grondin, Joe Aceri, Weston Rogers, Johnny Meehan, Markey J, Peter Stokes, Pev, Kyle Linseman, Matt Colby, Andy Elliott, Max Fatello, Tom Hay, Erik Cannon, Gilly Donatelli, Toby Parke, Caper, Kai Nichols, Lenny Nichols, Harry Manzi, and Terence Kirby (who gets the nicest wave). There are a couple of "firsts" in this edit. Number One, I use laugh tracks on the first day. You'll see why. And number two, I use The WHO for a soundtrack. It's all based on the word "FOOL". Actually, in hindsight, I should of asked my friends in the FOOLS for some of their music. DOH! Oh well, there's always next year. *Be sure and watch to the very end (past the credits).



OAHU 1980 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

January 1980 on Oahu's North Shore. A handful of NH surfers make their way to the promised land. The mecca of surfing. Oahu. The most humbling of all surf destinations for any surfer anywhere. All surfers need to at one point in their lives, go to the North Shore. It is where dreams are made, and dreams are shattered on that that infamous 7 mile stretch.

We have all been going there since the 70's. The 80's was the peak of the NH North Shore scene. The surfers in this clip are: Kevin "Doc" Grondin, Jay Hammer, Charlie Daley, Larry Crateau, TJ, and myself. The footage was shot at Sunset and Pipe. It was all shot on my GAF Super 8mm movie camera. The music is by Beautiful People. Enjoy and Mahalo.

 



SPRING DAY March 20th, 2017 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

First day of Spring. And just like that, the air temps rose up into the 40's and the sun came out. The snow started to melt, and the surf? Well she was rocking! The usual suspects appear in this web edit. Kai Nichols, Matt Colby, Johnny Meehan, Markey J, Casey Lockwood, Terence Kirby, Kody Grondin, Andy Elliott, Perry Reynolds, Max Fatello and a bunch of others. * There is one large set that some of the boys got caught in, and one in particular (Terence Kirby) said it was the worst THRASHING he ever had. Those are powerful words, and they should be cautionary words to all. It doesn't have to be 20' to get your ass kicked. A 6-8' wave can do just as much damage. My tip: "Keep your wits about you, and learn how to hold your breath, while spinning underwater, bouncing off boulders. It will end sooner or later." Music is by KING'S X and HENDRIX. Quit your complaining...it's SPRING!




DMD (Dogmans-Marias-Domes) March 2017 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

DMD is short for Dogmans, Marias and Domes. None of these spots are secret. So I don't believe I will increase the already crowded line-ups at these spots. PR is funny. There are times when you can get it almost to yourself, and others when you can share your session with a few hundred of your not so close friends. Yet, there are still plenty of empty waves getting by. So go figure. There are lots of unknowns in this web edit, and some known. I'll try and list those that I know. Kevin "Doc" Grondin, Kody Grondin, Ray King, Brian Morse, Jake Davidson, Bill Ryan, Ryan McGill, Rosalita, Kim, Cory, Tony, and Shelly. I dedicated the edit to Brian Ward, the surfer who died out at Dogmans on that first Monday we were here. Music is by King's X and Carlos Santana. *A BIG Thank you to the Grondins for their generous and loving hospitality. There's not enough space to tell you both, how much we love you.



STELLA March 15-2017 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

What is there to say about a storm that kicked the living snot out of the Seacoast? Well, how about the downed trees, power outages, accidents, fires, snow that turned into cement, and what else? Oh yeah I remember, INSANE SURF! And it lasted for two days. Crazy but beautiful. The surfers in this web edit that I remember are: Kai Nichols, Perry Reynolds, Chris Stelman, Max Fatello, Tom Hay, Jared Veltsos, Andy Elliott, Joel Feid, and a bunch of others. The music is by All Time Low, Ida Maria, and Willie Nelson. It's 13 minutes and 33 seconds long. Stella you were one crazy but beautiful storm. Come back anytime. Just call first.




 





















 

 

 

 
CLICK ON THE CRACKIE IMAGE TO SEE ALL THE CRACKIE VIDEOS. The CRACK MASTER is COMING BACK IN 2016 and in HD! Meanwhile just click on his face and go to his YouTube page and watch all his absurd videos. And if you have a question for Crackie, no matter how stupid, or absurd, please send it here...crackie@adlantic.com

You can also check Crackie out on Facebook. You should Friend Him...though there are no guarantees that he'll be nice to you.











COMING NEXT WEEK. Looking like Friday and Saturday


Recorded in 1978. Click on VINNY CD art to see a larger
version and how to order this CD and others for sale at
GAF Music. www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic


COMING NEXT WEEK. Saturday is the day.


Recorded in 1983. Click on VINNY CD art to see a larger
version and how to order this CD and others for sale at
GAF Music. www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic







Just roll your mouse over the image above to see how the guilty party has ruined the wave. Crime does not pay my friends. Look both ways before
taking off. Or you will end up here.
Today April 15th, 2017

"My SUP Will Be In Your Face!!! (Sir) " 		 


This guy has more energy than I ever did. And I love him to death. He's a character that's for sure. Buck Rowlee photo by Cory Fatello


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