Thank God almighty we have our state back. It's so nice to not hear my phone ringing. It's equally nice to not get reams of glossy direct mail pieces. And it's so nice to not have to talk about politics, for a while anyway. The circus has left town. Good luck South Carolina they're coming with both barrels loaded.

Speaking of barrels, boy did we get some on this primary day.



Take this for instance. This was in the morning. The swell lasted all day. If you got any, you know what I'm talking about, if you didn't, well, it's best you don't know how good it was.

Or you could always ask Peter Stokes.

Peter never misses a swell. He did however, miss a wave in the video feature this week. And the results were visually pleasing for those sitting in dry clothes in a warm home or office. Sorry Peter, I was just shooting the biggest waves that came through that morning. But thanks for being a good sport.



This man has gotten more drops, and more waves then most people I know.

However every gallery in the blog this week is all about the NH Primary Swell. February 9th, 2016 a day that will go down in history as the day the three ring circus came to town, while the real clowns were surfing.

Can you imagine waiting for 40' waves that last for a long period of time? Well that's the EDDIE. That's the criteria for running this special contest. It was scheduled for February 10th. There had been some serious surf prior to this date, but for whatever reasons they let those days slip by. In hindsight they should of run it when they had the swell.

The morning of the 10th had all the Surf Media frothing at the mouths of their perspective talking heads. They had the full on pre contest hype in full gear.
As I watched (as I'm sure most of you were) I couldn't help but notice that there were NO waves. Well, there was surf, just not enough to run the EDDIE. I kept thinking there's no way this contest should run today. The last one was in 2009. And that was a memorable contest to say the least. Heroes were born that day. And at a fitting contest to boot.

But this swell? I kept looking over the shoulder of Stryder Wasilewski as he bobbed in the water talking about the bay and where to sit and where to take off from, as well as the dangers of being held under water. And at one point I stopped listening to him and just watched out the back where a handful of locals were surfing. And well, they were not surfing because, there was no swell.



So I was not at all surprised when they pulled the plug on the EDDIE. It's got to be just right for the EDDIE And Wednesday February 10th, 2016 was not.

Ok last week I ate some serious crow after my Stupid Bowl predictions. I wanted the Panthers to win, and I may have said some disparaging remarks about Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Hey I was still stinging over the AFC game. And I'm even more pissed at that game. Why? Because we would of beaten the Panthers. Murdered them. I swear I want to scream.



Oh how the mighty have fallen. Last week I posted a pic of Manning in a similar position. But this guy? Mr MVP Cam Newton was a non factor all night long.



Whereas the defense of the Broncos were a non stop wrecking machine.
Cam was sacked 5 times and he was running for his life all night. Never got
to strike his pose. But the Broncos defense did.



And to top it off, he was the biggest crybaby I have ever seen in the NFL during his mandatory press conference. One word answers. Hiding under his hoodie.
Then he stormed off the stage. Nice Cam. How to represent the NFL and be a role model for the kids out there who think you are the shit.



"Surfing and Winning Heals All Wounds"

Ed always came up with some very cool angles when shooting for the blog. Like this one for instance. That's the infamous cement block that runs for a solid two miles along North Beach. The Wall is the mecca of New Hampshire surfing. Getting a unique angle from the Wall takes some doing. The only two who I know of, who have consistently shot some cool angles there, are Brian Nevins and Ed O'Connell.

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.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances

Ok the little mouse that roared has shot off another missile.
Kim Jong Un fired another missile that is capable of reaching the United States. See while the US is busy watching the TRUMP and BERNIE show this little weasel is firing missiles and executing his Military Chief of staff for falling asleep in a briefing that Kim was giving.



"YES!!!" He squealed. "DEATH TO AMERICA!"



Look at this face. This is the face of the man who would want to see the US be a big pile of ash. And if he could, he would, without question he would. Scared? Concerned? You should be. This demented little spoiled brat just had his Chief of Military executed for falling asleep during Kim's briefing.



Better stay awake in class otherwise you will be shot. This poor bastard had no idea what was coming. Look at the reaction of the troops in the background. WTF?

Ok so this is Valentines Day. I hope you went out and got your lover something. A box of chocolates, flowers, or at the very least, a card. Get off your ass and do it before the day is through. And please don't tell me you got her one of these things. I don't know a single person who has bought one of these. If you have, I don't want to know about it.

Seriously, I don't want to know. Some things are better left unsaid and personal.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Here's two this week. I know I know, you can thank me later.
I'm in a giving spirit this weekend. First up we have KSM hanging with the Demented Dwarf.



Better behave when KIM JONG UN comes clapping.



Oh now this is wrong. What the hell is the matter with me?
I'm sorry (not). This bear might be scarier than the bear in the REVENANT. Please my friends take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians KSM (Khalid Sheikh Mohammed).

*Note to self must pick up a case of Teddy Bears at Home Depot this week.

Please send prayers and positive thoughts to the family and friends of Cpl Chris Orlando USMC ( South-shore surfer). Keep local surfer Mike Keefe in your prayers. Also say a prayer for my good friend Robert Gerard. And please continue to pray for local Hampton surfers Terry Morrison and Rick Fiorentini and their families. 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 9 years. **Think about BUYING 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

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