Just when you think it's going to be flat forever BAM! The surf comes up.

And not only did it come up, but it hung around for days. Wednesday-Sunday. Plus it was some of the warmest water temps all year. High 60's to low 70's. Hell I surfed on Friday for almost two solid hours in my trunks. That's warm folks.
If you got in the water Wednesday through Friday you experienced the same.

Even the crew in Maine had warm water. It's not often that we get to surf sans rubber, so when it does get that warm, and there's actual waves, you don't want to miss that. And if you were one of the one's who did miss it, well, there's plenty of August left. And we should start seeing some tropical activity soon as well. Unless I just jinxed us all by writing that. Oops.



Kyle Linseman getting some yesterday at the Wall. As you can plainly see, it was all of waist high and more. The winds were west and that made for some really fun little summer surf for all.



Kevin Grondin got his share yesterday. Hell he got more than his share all week. It was funny because I think most us just assumed the swell would be gone the next day, and the day after. Nope. She hung around. In fact, there's still a little bump out there right now.



This young girl and her brother and father were all in the best of it. I don't know their names, but I see them all the time. I told them, I got some pics of them surfing this week. I hope they can get into the galleries to check them out.



The ESA-NNE district finally got enough surf on the weekend to run their first contest of the summer. I was happy for Lenny and the crew. They were looking pretty lean there for a while. But this swell more than made up for the lack of surf they had been dealing with.



There was plenty of juice for all the competitors. The contest was run smoothly and quickly. They were pretty much done by midday. The problem with running contests in good surf in the summer is dealing with non-competitors. There were a few moments when the non-competitors kept creeping into the contest area. Whistles were blowing, voices were raised, and there were some bummed out non competitors out there. But you know what, if you want to avoid being shut out of decent surf during a contest, you can aways sign up.

There's nothing wrong with surfing with just a few others during a heet.

When my son and his friends competed they took full advantage of surfing with a few friends. Let's face it, you make friends in the ESA and it can be a great time as well as a great learning experience. Traveling up and down the East Coast is fun for the kids. Think about it. You can sign up at any time.



The Rio 2016 Summer Olympics have started. And man what a crazy
opening night. Wow. Those Brazilians know how to party. That's for sure.



Not sure what these two characters are all about.
Nor am I sure about this character below.



The long legged Gisele made the cat walk on the opening ceremony.
She is one of the most famous celebrities to ever escape from Brazil.
One can only imagine what her hubby was thinking as she strutted across the 10 mile stage. I'm sure he was home just counting his money.

Gisele : "Honey Tommy did you see me walk down the catwalk tonight.?"

Tom: "Yeah baby I saw you. And I also saw you dancing and singing like a dam fool with all those strangers. You better get a medical check up before coming home. Just to be on the safe side Okay baby?"

Gisele: "Hokay honey Tommy. Do you miss me honey Tommy?"

Tom: "What's that? Oh yes, definitely baby I miss you. Just stay out of that water. I don't want you bringing back any kind of Zika bullshit with you."

Gisele: "Don't worry Tommy I've been drinking straight DEET."



Looks nice huh?

"Surfing In Warm Clean Water Heals All Wounds"

The summer of 2013 saw a bunch of local ESA contests. And Ed was there shooting the scenes. Like this one. Uncle Zappy giving his nieces some well advised pointers. Zap was big into competition when he was younger. It's good to see him pass that knowledge along to his nieces and soon his daughter Rori.

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 next Thursday to catch Rich and I playing originals and covers.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
The real concern in Rio is the terrible crime and diseases. The place is not exactly pristine. And there have been reports of muggings and kidnapping. Great. can you imaging sending your gifted athlete to Rio only to find out they were robbed and quite possibly worse? Shit. I'm not sure I could handle that.



Michael Phelp's biggest nightmare.

Actually, he carried the colors on the opening night was full of pride to be chosen to lead the Team USA into the 2016 Olympics. I watched and couldn't help but feel a great sense of
pride for not only our country, but all of the countries around the world. It was impressive.


Go Team USA!

KSM Photoshop of the Week
This might be a first. Maybe not, but I can't remember the last time I did something like this. It's KSM's version of where's waldo. When Gisele was in the audience carrying on singing and jumping up and down you might of seen him. If you looked closely, you would of seen him. If you can't find KSM in this BLOG graphic, click on the image and see the larger version. He's in there. Trust me.



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 Brazilian nuts at Home Depot this week.

RIP Mr Magliano father of Steve Magliano.
RIP Midget Farrelly

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) This deep gouge was brought to you by Max Fatello. August 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This I believe is Crowley. August 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The ESA Contest. Saturday August 6, 2016.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Gavin O'Hara looking an awful lot like his dad Steve about to pull into this barre. August 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


(Above) Lars Hamilton eying that lip for some serious smacking.
August 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Braedon Logue out of the rain and into the spolight.
August 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This kid had style. I mean he had it down. He ended up getting some
of the longest rides of the entire contest. August 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Day Before. August 3rd, 2016.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) OK so check this out. Mackey is riding my old Black Vinny that I had shaped for me back in 1980. August 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) The next thing you know, Kai is riding it. August 3rd, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) It's a good thing dogs can't read. August 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



Today- The Cool Sequences of August 4th, 2016.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) This is one cool summer sequence by MVF. August 4th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Just looking at this still of MVF's nasty cutback, one might think he
didn't make it. But this is from a sequence. The only way to know for sure is
to look at the gallery. August 4th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) These mini standing waves have always intrigued me.
August 4th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The ripple affect. August 4th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This lonely left died of a broken heart because there was no one
there to share her final moments. August 4th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery