The FRIDAY THE 13th Swell, The Patriots, and the Inauguration of Donald Trump.

As a rule, I am not superstitious. Well, maybe a little. But only watching the Patriots. And then, I'm basically bat shit crazy. But typically, I am not. So when the surf came up on Friday The 13th, I took it as a good omen. Look at that wave face above. How can that be unlucky? it can't. And it wasn't.

It was head high and just perfect. In hindsight, I should of shot video, but for some reason, I was expecting small surf. I did shoot a number of long sequences, and as a result, I made a slide show of sorts.



I've been editing so many web edits as of late, I actually lost track of them all. And the crew at Eastern Surf Mag have been posting my edits every week. I even got the coveted photo of the day yesterday on ESM (see below).



So although, I prefer the web edits, I was happy to make a slide show. It's posted down in the video section, along with two other edits. So that makes 3 edits NEW for you guys this week.

But getting back to FRIDAY THE 13th.



This pic came from the early morning sesh. This is MVF pulling in and under a smooth faced left. (Yeah he made it). The action was pretty much non stop.
It was a party of two. Max and Stevie O'Hara. They both shared waves for the short window this spot was breaking.




Then we changed venues and surfers. This is Kyle Linseman who was out surfing with Matt Colby and Andy Elliott. And that sesh was the same. Never ending sets with just a handful of surfers. I had to check the calendar to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I thought about the negative surfers who bitch and complain about crowds and could only smile as I watched wave after wave go by without any riders. The people who complain the most are usually the ones who have grown tired and old. Cranky old surfers are everywhere.



That's fine because there are more young and energetic surfers who are not jaded and are out to have fun. Like Matt Colby here. I always tell my musician friends, that when playing music is no longer fun, that's when you stop. The same is true with surfing. If surfing is no longer fun for you, maybe it's time to stop. Or, take a break until that stoke comes back. Otherwise, no one wants to hear your pissing and whining. Nobody.



Besides how you can you possibly complain when there are days like this? Four guys out surfing perfect waves. Matt Colby in tube number 500.



Grab a rail and go have fun. Or go home. MVF choosing the former.



The view to die for. Surfing in 2017. It's still fun.

Because, our days of fun might be limited in the next year. This man below, is going to be our next president. And while I have the utmost respect for the office of the presidency, I don't have a good feeling about him. I hope I'm wrong. I really do. And I know, you all do as well.



"Surfing (STILL) Heals All Wounds"

This week's pic from Ed's corner was shot in October of 2010. The surfer is yours truly. I remember this day. It was during my MOLLY campaign. It's funny, because I was looking at one of the pics I shot this week on Friday the 13th and I couldn't help but notice the similarities between this pic and the one I shot. The one I shot was of my son Max.



Click on this image to see what I'm talking about. I know that if Ed were around today, he would of loved this. I miss you Big Man.

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
They say "An ugly win is better than a pretty loss". OK I can agree with that. However, when THEY say that the patriots are going to MURDER the Texans, I can't agree with that. I know I'm not alone with the uneasy feeling I had that first 3 qtrs. This was NOT an easy win. This was a hard fought battle that we barely escaped with a W.

If not for this guy below Dion Lewis, we might be singing a different song this week. But thank God Lewis scored three TD's. One on the ground, one in the air, and the best one of all, the kick off return.



The Texans were chasing little Lewis all night long.



The most surprising DB of the night was Logan Ryan. Here he is celebrating his pick with Patrick Chung. Opposing QB's love to throw in Ryan's direction. Typically he messes up. Not last night.



And this guy? Well he clearly didn't have his best night. He did throw for two TD's and lead the team to their final victory but it came with a cost. A bruised ego and two INT's. Now if the QB hits a receiver in the hands and the ball ricochets off that receiver's hands and into the waiting hands of an opposing defender, guess what? It's still an interception. But poor number 12 spent a good portion of the night on his ass. He was complaining about late hits all night. Clowney and Mercilus (what the hell kind of a name is that? ) were hitting Tommy every chance they got. Hello? They wanted to win. And it's no secret, if you can get to Brady, you can rattle him. And Tommy was rattled.



The haters out there jumped all over Brady. Even the murderer Ray Lewis tweeted this out. Ouch Ray. So we wait until tonight's game is over to find out who is coming to Foxboro for the AFC Championship. Whether its the Steelers or the Chiefs, they are coming to play. And they can play hard. Very Hard.

Here's an IMPORTANT MESSAGE from the Rowlee Family.



Dear Molly Fund supporters,

I can't believe we are coming up on the end of our 6th year of The Molly Fund! Your generosity over the years has been overwhelming. Together we have donated close to $350,000 to Dana Farber for families with children battling cancer! Your donations have helped people right in our own little community. 

But, we can do more.  We have decided that it is time to move all administration of The Fund to Dana Farber. IT WILL STAY THE SAME AS IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, but now we won't have to pay for any expenses associated with running a non-profit (accounting services, board insurance and office supplies). 100% OF YOUR DONATIONS WILL NOW GO DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES. Dana Farber is a non-profit and your donation will still be tax deductible. They will send me notifications of donations so I can personally thank you, and send a sticker.

**Effective immediately, checks will now be made out to:
Dana Farber Cancer Institute with Molly Rowlee fund in the Memo line.
Mail to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Attn: Hannah Casill
Division of Development
10 Brookline Place West, FL 6
Brookline, MA 02245

With all our love, Meg and Buck Rowlee, Skip Brunette, Chuck White, and MP Broderick, the Molly Fund Board.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
I'm sure you are all aware that on Thursday January 20th, 2017, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America. I know, I know, it's still hard to believe. But...it's happening. And like he does with every other big news story, the slippery, slimey, KSM has somehow managed to get in the spotlight. Ole Khaliddy "Sheik yer booty" Mohammed never ceases to amaze me. The man is like Houdini. What kind of security do they have down there in GITMO? Pray for all of us. Wait, don't pray for KSM.



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 TRUMP steaks
at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY MLK Day January 16, 2017
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kim Grondin January 13th, 2017!
REST IN PEACE Mr Haenn father of surfer Geoff Haenn

Prayers and positive thoughts to Erica Nardone's recovery.

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) The truth is you can't teach style. Mackey has it, and I had
nothing to do with it. January 13th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The second session I shot that morning was just as clean and just
as exciting. Here's Andy Elliott deep in a barrel that almost let him out.
January 13th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Kyle Linseman slicing and dicing in the wind.
January 13th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) This is one of four jarring cutbacks he did on this wave.
Andy Elliott January 13th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Kyle Linseman slotted nicely on January 13th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Matt Colby doing the same. January 13th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Of all the millennial surfers out there, this guy lands the most airs.
Matt Colby January 13th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Nate was a late comer to this session, but his timing was spot
on with this wave. January 11th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Too deep? Maybe. Maybe not. MVF rolling the dice.
January 11th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The host of the party, Kyle Linseman blasts one last one before I left.
January 11th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Wild Card Swell. January 8th, 2017.
Photos by RALPH




(Above) The Wild Card weekend gave us a Seasmoke fest of waves.
January 8th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Our fascination with Sea Smoke never gets old.
January 8th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Unknown facing a nice wall and shoulder.
January 8th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) One last cold session before Puerto Rico. Becca Speak
dreaming of the tropics. January 8th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Wild Card Swell with John Adams
January 8th, 2017. Photos by John Adams



(Above) John got up early enough to capture these breathtaking scenes. January 8th, 2017 Photos by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Our world on fire. January 8th, 2017 Photos by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Did people really walk on that thing? Yup. They sure did.
January 8th, 2017 Photos by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) A beautiful end to a beautiful day.
January 8th, 2017 Photos by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery