Have I ever mentioned how much I HATE heat and humidity? No?

Well, I HATE IT WITH A PASSION. I become unhinged during these awful, hot and humid days. And when I meet people who claim to like this kind of weather? I mentally unfriend them. I do not want to be around them for fear of saying, or doing something, that I should not be held accountable for. Due to my dislike of this kind of weather, I should get a free pass.



I can clearly understand how people can turn on each other while suffering through that unbearable weather. Domestic disputes, road rage, assault, and
in some cases, murder. In my eyes, these are all acceptable during these
kinds of heat waves.

Maybe that's what is affecting Donald Trump when he says that stupid shit.

In any case, those of you who know me well, know of my disdain for heat, humidity, and mosquitoes. And yes, I was bitten several times during that deadly heat wave. I refuse, to accept these terrible days. I want to forget it even happened. Let's just leave it as a distant memory, something we all want to forget. Amen.

So last week, during that incredible warm water spell, my son Max rode my old VINNY board. Or, as we are fond of calling it-The Black Vinny. Now I have never been one for lending any of my special boards out to just anyone. These special boards that mean something to me, are really not to be shared.



This is me surfing a VIRGIN break in Nova Scotia in 1980.

However, when my son asked me a few years back if he could ride, I immediately gave him my blessing. I wanted to see firsthand what he was capable of doing with that old shape. And as I expected, he ripped on it.
No surprise there.



This board has seen it all since 1980. And with Max now using it when the surf is marginal, it gives me a great deal of pleasure watching him put the board through his paces. Let's face it, the style of surfing back in 1980, compared with today, is vastly different. He has put that board in places that I never even thought about doing. Progress and nostalgia. A marriage of old and new.



This was Max last week. The shape and design of this board was not made to do anything other than be a typical Fish. Hitting the lip, getting shacked, gouging cutties were not on the "Here's what this board can do" list. Hardly. And I know these recent pics are not the best conditions. But that makes it all the more noticeable.



Before I could say WTF? Max had traded boards with Kai. And young Kai was also putting this board in places that I never did. Youth and progress.



No sooner had Kai had a run on BV, I looked up and saw Mikey Evans taking her for a spin. Really? Yup. And just like that, three individuals rode the Black Vinny. That makes four surfers total, who have ridden that board since 1980.
And I guess the four of us have shared something special. Unless Mackey is lending it out to others that I am not aware of. Don't go there Ralph. Right. I should listen to myself more often.



This is me on The Black Vinny in 1980 up in Nova Scotia. Like I said, this board has seen it all. From D-land to NS, to 10th Street. The Black Vinny.

OK I know for a fact that I have said this before. "The only good surf photographers are either surfers themselves, or they have been around it long enough to know when to pull the trigger." I'm lucky that my two back up photographers are both. My son Max is a surfer, and my wife Cory has
been around surfing since 1984.

That's 32 years of living with me and becoming part of the local surf culture.



I know that when I am too busy working on the blog, and there is surf down the street, I can send her down there, and know with 100% conviction, that she will come back with the goods. Like Kyle's nose walk (above).



She's tuned into both longboarding and shortboarding. This is a pretty cool
shot of Mikey Evans up on the nose from this past week. She also shot some cool local surf scenes. Like I said, 32 years of being here and other surf destinations around the globe, will acclimate you to this whole culture.



If she didn't go down last week, and shoot that waning swell, I would be without any decent shots form this past week. Including this one of her son MVF.
So thank you (again) baby. I know I can count on you.

"Surfing and Shooting Surfing Heals All Wounds"

TS Gabby in September of 2013 provided us with a beautiful groomed ground swell. This was taken a day after. I'm not sure who the surfer is, nor am I sure of the gender of this rider. Click on this image to see a larger version. Maybe one of you can ID this person for me.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Be sure and pick up a copy of the COLD COAST and check out Ed's own gallery.
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.




The 9th annual HIT THE BEACH has a firm date. August 28th, 2016 at 18th Street in Hampton. As of today, we do NOT need any more volunteers. We have a big roster of volunteers from the last 9 years. If we need more, I will let you know. Thanks.



I have not played at Flatbread since May. It's always a fun gig. I might even play outside weather depending. Drop by this Thursday to catch Rich and I playing originals and covers.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
The most exciting Olympic events I've seen so far this summer (Besides Michael Phelps) has been these two.



Simone Biles and Simone Manuel. UNBELIEVABLE.


Simone Biles was a literal fire storm that burned through all of Rio this past week. They call her the WORLD'S BEST Gymnast. I know little to nothing about this sport, but I know talent when I see it, and this little fireball has heaps of talent.



And Simone Manuel was the first African American woman to win GOLD in a swimming event. We loved watching her.
Such a humble and down to earth individual. Congrats to all the USA competitors. Go Team USA!

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Turns out TEAM ISIS was short a heavy weight lifter. With a special pass from GITMO our boy took a quick flight to RIO to compete in the heavy lifting event. They were able to slip him in last minute. However things did not turnout well for the Terrorists. Poor KSM tore his groin muscle as well as his rectum. It was awful. But funny. He is currently back at GITMO having his rectum sewn back together.



As always... 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 talcum powder at
Home Depot this week.



Please Pray for local Hampton surfer Terry Morrison and his family. Also please pray for Marine SSGT George Masten.
A combat Marine who served in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the purple heart for wounds received in Vietnam in 1967. George is battling cancer.
PLEASE say a prayer for him.

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

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) Unknown taking advantage of the warm water. August 7th, 2016
Photo by Cory Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Noreen scanning the scene before paddling out. August 7th, 2016
Photo by Cory Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) How many days has Rick Evans seen at the Wall? August 7th, 2016
Photo by Cory Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The true longboard master (he only rides a longboard) Mikey Moran. August 7th, 2016 Photo by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This young female grom keeps popping up here on the blog. If
anyone knows her name, please let is know. August 7th, 2016
Photo by Cory Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This might be either Kody or Joe. They're both friends so I'm sure
they could care less who it is. Or maybe not. August 7th, 2016
Photo by Cory Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Apparently Mackey was the only one riding a shortboard this day. August 7th, 2016 Photo by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) You can't very well have a sequence section and not include this guy
if he was out. Mikey Moran dancing in his board shorts. August 7th, 2016
Photo by Cory Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The agony of defeat. I mean Da Feet. Mikey Evans dinged his
big toe while Mikey Moran stubbed his. August 7th, 2016
Photo by Cory Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



Today- The Cool Sunrise Sequence at Nubble Point.
Photos by Ryan Jackson



(Above) This look pretty to you? If it doesn't, shut your computer off and go to bed. Summer 2016 Photo by Ryan Jackson
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Sean has a unique style all of his own. Summer, 2016
Paintings by Sean McVicker *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The info for each of Sean's surf art is in the main gallery.
Summer, 2016 Paintings by Sean McVicker
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The colors in this piece actually match the background color
of the blog this week. Them colors be surfy. Summer, 2016
Paintings by Sean McVicker
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery