I became a father on May 9th, 1990. My dad became a father in 1950.

Isn't it funny, how up until that moment, your life was one way, and then... everything changed. Suddenly you had some serious business to attend to. Being a father is serious business. You were no longer the care free rock and roller who loved to surf. You were a father, and you had to get your act together quickly. I'm sure most of you surf dads have gone through it. And I mean no disrespect to you wives. But being married is one thing, being a father? Hello. Thats something else all together. Things just got serious.

My dad knew how serious. From First holy Communion to Parris Island.



And your life as you knew it, would never be the same. I was lucky to have him around for as long as I did. He got to meet and spend time with our three kids.
And I will be forever thankful for that.

Hope all you dads have a Happy Father's Day. And all you grandfather's as well. My kids were lucky growing up, they had three grandfather figures in their lives. One of whom is still with us.



That's Jerry (Grampy) on the left and John (Grandpa) on the right. Jerry passed away in 2005 and we miss him every single day. But John is is as healthy and vibrant as they come. And we are thrilled to have him in our lives. He's the only living grandfather who got to see and spend time with his great grandchildren.

Which reminds me...I'm a grandfather too! Yikes. Enough of that.

All you dads, past present, and future. Enjoy this day.

Because you know there is suffering in this world. Like all the father's who lost their loved ones in that ORLANDO shooting last Sunday.



Forty nine killed in cold blood. Another 53 terribly wounded. The hate in this world has become a numbing occurrence that seems to never end. This time in the LGBT community in Orlando. An act of cowardice and hate. Inspired by ISIS and hatred for the LGBT lifestyle. The firestorm that has erupted in the aftermath of this senseless tragedy is still ongoing and has gained momentum. Some of it is warranted, and some is not.

This disgusting vile of human waste is the culprit of this latest madness.



Omar Mateen was on a NO FLY list by the FBI. They interviewed him twice prior to June 12th, 2016. How on earth could an individual who was on a NO FLY list buy a weapon? It makes no sense. Omar was able to purchase an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a Glock pistol. I believe that if you are on a NO FLY list you should automatically be on a NO BUY list. It's insane that he was able to buy these weapons while being under an FBI no fly list. Somebody dropped the ball. He was able to shoot over 100 people. That's one third of the club.

Now look, I am not going to argue with anyone about the difference between a semi-automatic and a full automatic weapon. But suffice it to say, there is a marked difference between the two.

The full automatic can fire 700 rounds per minute. You simply hold the trigger down and it will fire until you let up off the trigger. The semi automatic will fire a single shot every time you pull the trigger. Now, I agree with most of you, that the AR 15 looks like a "machine gun" but it is not. But that's really a moot point. Because the fear of seeing a weapon like the AR 15 pointing at you, is what is so troubling. The "Assault Weapon" label is what the Homegrown Terrorists in the US loves to hear. The overseas terrorists use AK-47's which are full automatic. The Homegrown radicalized terrorists, use the AR 15, because it is easy to purchase, and it looks terrifying.

Omar Mateen was a radical Islamic terrorist, who hated gays and lesbians.

And this should be no surprise to anyone. Why? Because if you know anything at all about Sharia Law, you would know why Omar chose this soft target to commit Jihad. SHARIA LAW should be OUTLAWED worldwide. Look, if you are unaware of what SHARIA LAW is all about, just Google it. But be forewarned, it is beyond barbaric. What they do to women alone is enough
to make it an international crime. Yet we do nothing. Our silence is deafening.



The women are living in the dark ages in the countries that practice Sharia Law. And god forbid if you are gay. The punishment for being gay under ISIS control is terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. Here look for yourselves.



This man is accused of being Gay. ISIS took him to the tallest building and pushed him off. While a crowd gathered below. SHARIA LAW.



The terrorist act by Omar Mateen in Orlando is right in line with what ISIS and Sharia Law is all about. The countries who currently practice SHARIA LAW
include Egypt, Mauritania,Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, the Maldives,Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and certain regions in Indonesia, Malaysia,Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates. Mixed systems are the most common in Muslim-majority countries.

The people who died in Orlando last Sunday were victims of both radicalized Islamic terror and SHARIA LAW. To think otherwise is naive.

May their souls rest in peace, and may their loved ones find comfort in all the love and support that is being bestowed upon them.

And may the WORLD wake the hell up and join forces to wipe out ISIS and to quell SHARIA LAW. Otherwise, we will be seeing more and more of these terrible tragedies. We can no longer turn a blind eye to this madness. But we can't do it alone. We need the help of ALL Muslim countries. And we need it now. God help us all.

"Surfing With Your Dad Heals All Wounds"

I am not a longboarder. I am someone who rides a longboard. With all the recent attention I have spent on longboarding, I thought what the hell. I'll post one of the many pics I have that Ed shot of me. And if you knew Ed O'Connell, you'd know that his true love for surfing was the longboard. He was a child of the sixties, and we all surfed on longboards. So here I am in 2013 gliding along on my 9'0" looking somewhat casual.

There are no photos of me on the nose of any longboard.

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.



ATTENTION ALL SURF ARTISTS. See above.



The Dan Healy Foundation is something worth learning about.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
I'm sorry but this can't be overlooked. I was hoping to not having to mention the fiery red head but it's impossible. Because the reluctance of the GOP to get fully behind the Donald he has pledged that he'll go it alone.



And you know he's serious. He wants to be able to say to the world, that "I became president of the United States of America, and I did it alone, or as the late great Frank Sinatra said..."I did it MY Way!"

KSM Photoshop of the Week
I do not believe that many of you realize that KSM is in fact, a daddy. One of the guards at GITMO fathered two children with Khaliddy, and because it was father's day they allowed his wife (Shirley) and two daughters Khailey and Mishummed to visit with the mastermind terrorist in GITMO. *You can see the amazing resemblance to KSM in his daughters.



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 Ding Dongs at
Home Depot this week.

REMEMBER ORLANDO June 12th, 1944.
REST IN PEACE Jake Petronzio, June 14th, 2016
CONGRATS to the TABOR family on the birth of their new son Hayes Tabor!
CONGRATS to the STANEK family on the birth of their new daughter Montana Gold.
Both babies are healthy and both moms are doing good.

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 GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 11 YEARS!


OK check this out. Seacoastonline did a story on me and the blog. Just click on the pic below and look it over. It's pretty short, so most of you can handle it. Besides, it's just a different perspective of someone you already know. Me.


Click me. click me. click me.

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) Mikey Evans quickly found his groove and opened up with a
ten over ride on the green machined rights. The M&M session.
Monday, June 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Mikey Moran cross stepping his way into the inside. The M&M session.
Monday, June 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I swear this kid has the talent of a young Joel Tudor. Mikey Evans
styling for the camera. The M&M session. Monday, June 6th, 2016
Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






(Above) Never one to be outdone by anyone, Kevin "Doc" Grondin riding his new Harley for the very first time put on quite a show for the youngsters.
The M&M session. Monday, June 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) There they are. The dogs of Mikey Moran and Mikey Evans.
The M&M session. Monday, June 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) The last video clip of the day. Both Mikey Moran and Mikey Evans reflecting on the day. Because I am a history buff, I couldn't help but think of this day 72 years ago, in Normandy France. D-Day June 6th, 1944. Thank God for those brave Americans who hit the beach that day to help save the world.
The M&M session. Monday, June 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Matt Pacheco again. Monday, June 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) New daddy (again) Brian Tabor riding the roof at 10th street.
Monday, June 6th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- More From Monday June 6th, 2016. Photos by Gary Powell



(Above) Matt Pacheco Monday night. June 6th, 2016. Photo by Gary Powell.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Coming and going Monday night. June 6th, 2016. Photo by Gary Powell.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Matt Pacheco GoPro man. June 6th, 2016. Photo by Gary Powell.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Tom Hay Monday night. June 6th, 2016. Photo by Gary Powell.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery