The TEMPORARY Home at 62 Lafayette Rd in North Hampton, NH Tel. (603) 929-7467

 
 

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Contact Ralph@adlantic.com

FIRST SUMMER SWELL OF 2022.mp4 from SURF FREE OR DIE on Vimeo.

 

This was the first official swell of the summer of 2022. It hit on the 24th of June and lasted 5 days. The two best days were
Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th. The water was intoxicatingly warm. In fact it was 70 degrees on Sunday.
That's pretty damn warm for June. The music is a song I wrote in 1982. I remember writing it in the summer of 83
and David Robinson and I worked out the arrangement and he produced it at Syncro Sound.
This was to be one of the follow up songs to The VINNY LP that he produced. I remember doing those cool
ascending and descending background vocals. David and I have worked well together with all three of my bands.
That's David playing the Linn Drum and my brother Johnny plays a really cool guitar solo at the end of the song.

July 2nd, 2023 The RUN is 2 out of 2 Weeks.
Waist high or better at least once a week.
There were waist to head high waves all week June 28-July1st-2023.

THE RECORD FOR THE MOST CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IN A ROW FOR WAIST HIGH OR BETTER. August 8th, 2021 was 53 WEEKS! TOPPING THE 43 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS SET IN 2009!		 Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously.
By 10AM. Make sure they are 1300 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me.
Thank you.

Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics.


THE INSANE NICA SESSIONS OF JUNE 2023!
FIRST REAL SWELL OF THE SUMMER!
SAYING GOODBYE TO A LOCL MARINE. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!



THE BMO NICA SESSIONS June, 2023

So I’m not sure where, or when, this new trend started, where those about to be married, go off on some tropical bachelor and bachelorette parties that last a week to 10 days. Do I sound jealous? Well, I am. But this new trend is happening more and more. And the one I’m about to tell you about was straight out of the pages of SURFER and The SURFER’S Journal.



Brian “BMO” Morse is engaged to be married to his lovely wife to be Emma and I’m not sure when the wedding is, but I do know when the bachelor party was. It was the week of Father’s Day weekend. And it was not at some local bar in and around New Hampshire. Nope. It was in Nicaragua. That’s right. You read that correctly. Nicaragua. A third world country that has had it’s moments in political uprisings in the last few decades. In fact, the US State Dept has it at a LEVEL 3 as far as safety goes. But what the State Department doesn’t know is this: NICARAGUA has incredible surf. And that my friends, is all any real surfer has to know. Throw in the fact that the place you would be surfing at is in a gated community/compound. BAM! That’s a done deal for any surfer.



So BMO and his brother James (who’s also getting married/and having a baby) invited a gaggle of their best friends and headed for NICA for a 10 Day Bachelor Blowout that featured some of the BEST Waves and conditions that most of them have ever experienced. The crew consisted of Brian, James, Kody, Max, Shane, Joe, Cam, Colby, Jesse, Dan, and their mentor Mags.



Every single person I listed above (except Mags) got barreled out of their minds. Think about that for a second. Every single one of them got barreled out of their minds. Perfect head high to overhead barrels, with off shore winds every single day for 10 days. Are you shitting me? No I am not. Case in point. My son Max and I have been doing this surf thing for quite some time now. Ever since he really started to surf on his own (8-10yrs old). We’ve traveled to some decent tropical surf locations and clearly the East Coast. And the thing about Max is he always down plays the waves and conditions. It’s always the same description. “Looks fun.” That’s usually all I get out of him when I ask “How is it? How big? What’s the wind doing?  Is it hollow? What’s the crowds like?” His answer is the same. “Looks fun.”









Ed O'Connell was one of the most loved surf photographers in New England. A US ARMY Vietnam Veteran who saved the lives of so many ARMY Grunts in Nam in 68-69 as a Medic on board those Dust Off Hueys. He was a dear friend of mine.

When he passed on July 1st, 2014 I swore I'd keep his memory and legacy alive by giving him this weekly corner. He loved surfing and he loved taking photos of all the surfers. Not just those who could really stand out. He shot every one. As long as I shall live and breathe the salt air, there will be a corner dedicated to Ed.

ED'S CORNER July 2nd, 2023



This pic was shot on July 3rd, 2009. That's me talking with Max and Jared after their Wall session. We were obviously laughing at something. No doubt I was spewing Ralphisms causing the boys to smile and chuckle. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Check out the RETURN of the 2023 HAMPTON BEACH COMEDY FESTIVAL . Now there's 5 days in August you need to put down on your calendars.


The HIT THE BEACH DAY is on Friday August 25th, 2023.

Hard to believe it's been 15 years of HIT THE BEACH.
This is going to be a big day at the beach. We are currently working with the State to get the beach cleaned up the day or two prior to the HTB day. As most of you know, we have huge amounts of seaweed on that beach every year.

We're just trying to get permission to allow Anthony Curro to bring his backhoe down at 18th Street. Otherwise we have to remove it all by hand again. And that is NO fun.






But this trip? He was over the top excited about it. His first text to me read like this: “I got 10 barrels today. Some of them were 4-5 seconds long and I made every one.” And when I asked about the others, he said “Dad everybody is getting barreled.” I could just imagine what that must have been like. I mean when every friend of yours is getting barreled? That’s a surf trip.
I mean we have all been on surf trips and have gotten skunked. And we’ve been on the good ones too. But never a trip where every single day for 10 days was like this. I mean come on.



Kevin and I were commiserating with each other the whole week. We were in disbelief.

I mean Kevin and I, had both of our bachelor parties in the late 80’s at his house. That’s right. In his house in Hampton. Not some tropical destination. Not even some night club. In his house.

We both shook our heads at this new but very clever surf bachelor party concept. And we both wished more than anything that we were there. I mean Kevin could have actually surfed those waves, and I would have gone out on some of the more forgiving days, but more than anything? I’d be shooting the action from land, in the water, and in the sky with one of my drones. I would have been in heaven shooting these best of friends getting some of the best waves of their lives. Man, that would have been epic.



THE NICA SESSIONS would have been some of the best footage. But alas, it was not to be.

I’m just really stoked for BMO. He’s a great kid, and he’s going to be a wonderful husband and someday a great father. And I’m equally stoked for his brother James. He’s going to be a great dad and a solid husband. They are both great individuals, and they have a great group of supportive friends. And although I was not there, just seeing these pics warms my heart knowing that the 10 of them enjoyed some of the best surf of their lives together. Unbelievable.

And this bachelor party week will be something that none of them will ever forget. How could they? How could any surfer forget these waves? I know I couldn’t.



So while I never did anything even close to this for my bachelor party, I think it’s a cool and safe concept. No debauchery. No embarrassing moments. Just good, clean fun, with your best buds.



But please boys…if there’s another one of these in the near future being planned, consider having me tag along to document the magic.  



BMO Took this pic and thought it reminded him of the LAST SUPPER.
It was the last supper alright, but the comparisons to Jesus end there.

CONGRATS TO BMO AND EMMA and JAMES and BELLA!

“SURFING BACHELOR PARTIES HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

 

 

 









REST IN PEACE BRIAN E. FLOOD. "SEMPER FI MARINE"


On a personal note I've known the Flood Brothers for years and always enjoyed seeing them at our MARINE CORPS Birthday gatherings. I want to personally extend my condolences to the family again. I saw them at the wake today, but it was so crowded and they wanted to give everyone a chance to offer their condolences . And my heart was breaking for them all.

Especially Ben. They were once two. Now they are ONE.

And I know that BEN will carry his brother's legacy with him for the rest of his life. Brian will live through Ben.
SEMPER FI MARINES, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.

Below is the obituary from Remicks

Newmarket – Brian Edwards Flood, 35, of Newmarket and formerly of Hampton Falls, passed away suddenly and tragically on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Brian and his twin brother, Ben, were born in Portsmouth on March 30, 1988, sons of Barry F. and Linda M. (McLaughlin) Flood of Hampton Falls.

Brian was raised in Hampton Falls and graduated from Winnacunnet High School in Hampton with the Class of 2006. He participated in the WHS/SST program and became an accomplished welder. While at Winnacunnet, Brian played as a lineman for the Warriors Freshman Football Team that went on to win the State Championship. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and honorably served his country as a machine gunner in 1st Battalion 8th Marine Regiment for 4 years that included a combat deployment to Iraq from 2007 to 2008.

After his service in the Marine Corps, Brian returned home and pursued a career as a commercial fisherman. He fished for scallops and squid out of Rye Harbor aboard the F/V Rimrack for several seasons and fell in love with the sea. Recently, he started his own business, Quarterdeck Lobster Company fishing out of Rye Harbor on his boat the Linda Anne.

As children Ben and Brian tagged along with their dad, a former Captain on the Hampton Falls Volunteer Fire Dept. and spent countless hours at the fire station. Following in his father’s footsteps he began the next phase of his life by enrolling in the Lakes Region Community College fire program earning associate degrees in Fire Science and Fire Protection. While pursuing his degrees, Brian served as a volunteer fire fighter in Hampton Falls. In January 2019 he was hired as a firefighter with the Somersworth Fire Department and proudly served his community until his passing.

Brian loved being around people, whether socializing with his friends, brother firefighters and veterans, or being with his family. Brian was a protector and a fighter; he was kind, strong, and dedicated to those he loved. He enjoyed being the life of the party and spending time outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and hiker; and loved riding anything with a motor. Brian had a vast network of friends, and he will be sadly missed by all.

In addition to his parents and his brother, Brian is survived by his grandparents, Lorraine McLaughlin and Robert and Barbara McLaughlin. Aunts and uncles include Kathryn McLaughlin, Rob and Dana McLaughlin, Carol Napolitano, Bill and Robin Flood and Craig and Ed Flood; as well as cousins Paula, Tommy, Arin, Sean, Jamie, Ryan, Patrick, Dan, Rachel, Stephanie, Kaitlin and Sarah.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Len and Jean Flood and his cousin Christopher.

A walk-thru for fire service and other public safety personnel will be held from 11AM to 12 PM on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. Public visiting hours will be from 12 PM to 3 PM. Services will be held at 11 AM on Monday in the funeral home with burial following the service in the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Hampton Falls. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Somersworth Firefighters Charitable Foundation, who accepts donations via check mailed to 195 Maple St, Somersworth, NH 03878 or VENMO@SPFFLOCAL2320 comment Brian Flood.





In a gesture of Goodwill, the State Department allowed the Sheik to visit Hampton Beach this 4th Of July. Well, that's not entirely true. They had a few extra tickets for the fireworks display that were on the verge of being canceled, and Khaliddy jumped at the chance to visit the state that features these weekly KSM memes. Except, they gave him tickets for July 2nd. And it was canceled due to the nonstop rain. So while he never got to see the fireworks, he did get some Fried Dough and a box of Saltwater Taffy to take back to GITMO to share with the other terrorists. When the guards asked him how he liked New Hampshire, he just rolled his eyes and said he wouldn't be coming back anytime too soon, even if the tickets were free. Wow. HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE 4th Of July!



And 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 umbrellas at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY Rick Evans July 2nd, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dave Cropper June 30th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Cory Fatello June 30th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kyle Linseman June 30th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mike Sidebottom June 30th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mike Tyson June 30th, 2023!
HAPPY 50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Stan & Mindy Bocko!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kevin "DOC" Grondin June 23rd, 2023!
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Please keep LOCAL LEGEND Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
Please keep Victor Capozzi in your prayers as he goes in for heart surgery on July 5th, 2023 Beth Israel.

Finally, I'm calling this a special request.
LOCAL SURFER/MUSICIAN PETE KOWALSKI NEEDS A KIDNEY. A TYPE A KIDNEY. PLEASE if you know anyone with a Type A Kidney please contact me at ralph@adlantic.com

SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS!
Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 19 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. Surfing Is Supposed to be Fun.

Ralph

 

 

 


Everybody loves seeing the old pics of surfing. Especially here in Northern New England. If you have any old pics please send them off to me via email or social media. My email is ralph@adlantic.com



160 YEARS AGO TODAY JULY 2nd, 1863 The 20th MAINE WON THE BATTLE OF LITTLE ROUND TP IN GETTYSBURG, PA. 20 YEARS AGO WE STOPPED BY THE EXACT SPOT THEY MADE THAT CHARGE.
If you have never visited the GETTYSBURG battle sites, you need to put that on your bucket list. Photo by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see a larger image

 

 

I kept a daily Blog on my CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY surf campaign, when I surfed every single day for 365 consecutive days. Click on the Banner above to read entries of my daily journey. There's some really interesting and true experiences
that happened during that year. Some of which are to this day, unexplainable. Some are just mind blowing. But all true.

I started on July 26th, 2010 and ended on July 26th, 2011.

Some rainy Sunday, pour yourself a cup and go through the journal. Pay close attention to the month of May in 2011. Read that month and let me know what you think of that. Be forewarned it will change you forever.

 


All photos taken this week unless otherwise noted.

Today- THE FIRST REAL SWELL OF THE SUMMER.
JUNE 29th, 2023 Photos by RALPH



(Above) It had been a while since we had waves like this.
Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to see the Menu and other
important info on their Somerville restaurant and all the
other AMERICAN FLATBREAD locations.

 



(Above) But not for this man. Matt Colby was one of the Chosen 10 to score the BMO NICA sessions. Still it's always nice to be back home.
Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The Haffenreffer family have been helping seacoast families
with their holistic health and optimal wellness for decades.

 

(Above) Ben Carboni fully extended while rocking the inside.
Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Ian Dreher was digging the warmer water temps.
Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.


Click on the ad above to find out more about
more about local surf artist Stan Chew's art



Clark Little's new book
Click on the ad for more info.



(Above) It had also been a while since Kody scrambled down these rocks.
Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I saw Noah get a couple of nice ones and managed to get this shot.
Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

 

The SURFER'S JOURNAL is in a league all of their own.
READ the Great piece on local photographer Brian Nevins

DIPG THE CURE STARTS NOW
To learn more about Evan and his journey click here  https://thecurestartsnow.org/sup.../view-heroes/evan-austin/

(Above) Ian Dreher bouncing around the inside section.
Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to find out more about owner
and creator Ryan Jackson and NH2o's cool selection
of surf related products.



(Above) I love the color of Kody's board. Green on green.
Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Kody's dad Kevin is still paddling out on his shortboard and catching his fair share of waves. Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



If you love the Beatles and you love the guitar
click on this ad above for an amazing instrumental
band playing all of your favorite Beatles songs with
the coolest arrangements. Johnny A is one of the
best guitar players on the planet.

Peter Stokes is one of the BEST guitar techs in
all of North America. He's the BEST guitar tech
in New England.


Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page



(Above) I love these guys, Kody and Kevin Grondin. Father and son.
Thursday June 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- THE BMO BACHELOR NICA SESSIONS
JUNE, 2023 Photos by MAS AQUA



(Above) The man of the hour taking off ridiculously deep. Did he make it? I'll ask BMO and get back to you guys. June, 2023.
Photos MAS AQUA *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page



Produced by Steve Sadler.
Visit our Facebook page



The VINNY Band was around from 1976 to 1984




July 30th, 1979 headlining the Paradise Club
In Boston, MA






(Above) This wave is insane looking. BMO charging in NICA.
June, 2023. Photos MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
Joe Carter, Brian Nevins, and Nick Lavecchia
   









(Above) That's Matt Colby in a perfect tube. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

 




(Above) Cam MacLeod setting up inside a nice NICA barrel. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



The art of Donna Baldassari




Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.



(Above) Jesse Gould in a nice green barrel. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) That's a nice NICA slice by Kody Grondin. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




Visit Jimmy Dunn's website to find out where and
when he will be performing.

 

 

(Above) This is James Morse driving down the line from a deep starting point. June, 2023. Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

 



(Above) Kody Grondin backing into a beautiful wall. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



I love Erica's whimsical Gull art. So cool and unique.



ONLY THE DURHAM STORE IS OPEN.
Due to the massive fire back in August the
Hampton store is closed. We will let you all
know when SECRET SPOT is back in
operation on the seacoast.
Thank you.
Jon Gozzo and family.





(Above) Colby carving off the top of super fun looking left. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) That's Dan Reilly on a perfect looking right. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

 








(Above) Joe eyeballing the hollow section up ahead. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Big Cam trying to become little Cam to slip through that section. June, 2023. Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

 





(Above) James impacted in a dredging NCA barrel. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

THE 2023 RPOTW CALENDARS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!Featuring pics from every month from last year's Blog.
Email me directly at ralph@adlantic.com or pick one up
at CINNAMON RAINBOWS in North Hampton, NH

 





(Above) Mackey V on a nice looking right. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Max in a nice one in the BMO GAMES. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on this image to visit Driftwood Photography

"GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A KICK IN THE ADS"
Since 1985.

Everybody has a story to tell

(Above) That's about as good as it gets right there. Kody Grondin.
June, 2023. Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Stand and deliver. Brian BMO Morse had himself one hell of a week. June, 2023. Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


(Above) This trip will last forever in the minds of those who went. But none more so than this guy. Brian Morse. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Shayne Forsely on a grinding left. June, 2023.
Photos courtesy of MAS AQUA
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- THE DINALAND Gallery June 29th, 2023
Photos by Dina Crawford




(Above) This is Perry Reynolds. June 29th, 2023.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Hand tracking, rail grabbing backside runner. June 29th, 2023.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) When in doubt pull in. June 29th, 2023.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The waves looked like they were really fun. June 29th, 2023.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




















Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously.
By 10AM. Make sure they are 1300 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me.
Thank you.

Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics.

My friend Rick McAvoy from Maine is the creator
behind this unique Surf Company

 





(Above) OK this is one of the coolest pics I have ever seen. This is Jimmy Dunn. The perspective of the wave breaking over his board is really cool.
June 29, 2023. Photo by Jimmy Dunn
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Now here's some Boston Rock history. Hirsch Gardner, Oedipus, Carter Alan, and Tony Berardini. At Chachi's Beatles show on June 18th, 2023 at the Winery in Boston. Photo c/o Leo G.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

He's more than just a good photographer

 



(Above) All Rise: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session. The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. Case # 730 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 Google Photoshop by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the outcome

 





This is what happens if you are found GUILTY. You become invisible.


Click on this image above to buy this book
and more cool KING'S X merchandise and music
 



I see little waves on Monday and Tuesday



I'm picking Today July 2nd, 2023 as the best of the week!

 

July 2nd, 2023
"Like last week's PARTING shot, I'll never understand what makes a person want to surf something like this. "



(ABOVE) It wasn't all perfect tubes and rides for BMO last week. But hey, if you want to sing the Blues, you have to pay your dues.
Photo by Mas Aqua .



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Click here to read Shaun Tomson's first book.