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MEMORIAL DAY 2024 HAMPTON-EXETER NH

58,220 AMERICANS DIED IN VIETNAM
226 WERE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
5 WERE FROM HAMPTON
5 WERE FROM EXETER
After the war, over 300,000 VIETNAM VETERANS Died from exposure to Agent Orange.
And 22,736 VIETNAM VETERANS have committed suicide.

Each Memorial Day, I think of several friends of mine who lost their lives while serving our country. But today I’m going to speak about three of them. Brian Hubis, Mikey Guzzetti, and Joe Somogyi.

Brian Hubis was hands down the most athletic person I ever knew. He was a handsome young man who could play any sport, and play it well, and he was as intelligent as any college grad with a Master’s degree. But more importantly, he was the funniest person I ever met during that time.
He was an Officer in the ARMY infantry. A 1st Lieutenant. He gave me and a friend a ride home, during a snow storm, the night before he shipped out. I remember how strangely quiet he was that night. Like he knew something that we didn't know.

We were leaving for Marine Corps Boot camp that summer. He told us to pay attention to our Drill Instructors. And that this war was no joke. We were in the middle of training in that hot blistering sun in South Carolina on Parris Island, when we got a letter from home saying that Brian was killed. A sniper's bullet ended his brilliant life. My buddies and I in boot camp, were freaked out. How could they kill Brian Hubis?
It was a sobering week on Parris Island when we lost Brian.

But honestly, when I think of all the friends I lost in that war, there's one whose story I'd like to share with you all. Mikey Guzzetti from Cambridge, MA. Michael T. Guzzetti Jr was 18 yrs old when I met him. We both enlisted at the tender young age of 17. That's almost too young. What the hell am I saying? It was way too young. Next time you see a 17yr old kid walk by, try and imagine that kid going off to war. It's just too young.
We met during our advanced Infantry training at Camp LeJune in the Marine Corps. He was from the Boston area, and I was from the North Shore. In the military, that's close enough to be considered "Homeys.” Guzzetti was my Homey.

The first thing I noticed about Mike was, he didn't have a single hair on his face. Seriously, he had a "baby face." In fact, his face had fresh scars all over it, due to a severe car accident he had been in, a few months before, while he was home on leave. The Marines wanted to discharge him. But Mikey insisted on staying in the Corps. He could have been Honorably discharged, and no one would have thought any different or less of him. But beneath that baby face, was a true Patriot, a man, who believed in something greater than his own self-being.

Mikey was a Marine, and the Marines, unfortunately, were in the war business. And, as it turned out, during those times, business was pretty good. Too good. Mikey was part of that. We all were. Like our fathers before us, we heard a calling, and took an oath to defend our country and to preserve freedom and democracy all around this globe.

Mikey took that oath to heart.

When we got our WESTPAC GROUND FORCES ORDERS (aka VIETNAM), things were about to get real for both of us. A little too real. The 17-hour plane ride to Southeast Asia is quite the experience. I sat next to Mikey on the plane. And man, we talked about everything under the sun. But mostly, we talked about the plane ride home. Exactly one year from that moment. Actually it was 13 months. The Marine Corps had to one up the other branches by extending our tour to 13 months instead of 12 months like the branches of the service.

I can recall telling Mikey, that when we got "back to the world" (we called the States “The World”. There was The Nam and The World). I was going to take him up North to Hampton and introduce him to surfing. We laughed at the thought of him trying to surf. He was, after all, a city kid. He never really hung around the beach much. But I could tell, he was looking forward to it.

I described surfing to him, the best I could back in those days.
He was getting stoked, with the help of my active imagination in my description, of what surfing was all about. I told him, that the girls would love him and he'd fit right in at the beach in Hampton. We laughed and joked about it all. In return, he would show me around the big city (Boston). I was as clearly lost in Big cities, as he was on the beach. It seemed like a good trade-off.

All we had to do, was survive the war.

We made a pledge that we would be on the same "Freedom bird" that would take us home.  And when we landed at Logan, we would go and visit his family and friends first, and then we would head north to the beaches, and meet my family and friends.

When we landed overseas, we went through our initial indoctrination, and got our assigned units. Mikey got the 1st Marine Division down south, and I went north to the 3rd Marine Division. We said good-bye to each other before heading out on the trucks, that would take us to our units.
I told him, I'd see him in one year, and he better be ready to go surfing when we got back. We both laughed, albeit somewhat nervously. Little did I know at the time that we would never see each other again. I remember thinking about how young he looked to me, like he was 16yrs old.

He looked like a scared kid. Which is exactly what he was. Hell, we were all scared, mostly of the “not knowing”. One week later, while we were out on a "hump" in the bush, we were all taking a break in the blazing hot sun. There was a rumor circulating throughout the platoon, and it finally got to my squad.
"Did you hear about Guzzetti?" I heard someone say.
"Wha..wait...who? Did you say Guzzetti? Mikey Guzzetti?"
"He got killed yesterday." Someone said.
"No way". I said. "No f--king way!" The Marine who told me was this black kid named Nelson. "They got ambushed, and Guzzetti caught an AK round. They couldn't save him. Wasn't he your friend?"

I can't imagine how I looked, but I'm sure it was of complete shock and disbelief. It was our first week in country. I don't think I cried. But I know I shut down. And I know I buried it for a long time, and I absolutely refused to talk about it, or believe it, for that matter. It was my way of dealing with it. If I didn't talk about it, maybe it didn't really happen. I was like an ostrich with my head in the sand. It didn't happen. Mikey was not dead. We had plans to go surfing. This did not happen. I refused to believe it.

I never spoke of him for the rest of my time in the Marine Corps.

Fast forward to 1985. I was in Washington, DC with my then-girlfriend, and future wife, Cory, and her father, Jerry. We were at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. It was time to face the facts. I looked up several names of other friends of mine.

But I was really there for one name in particular. Mikey Guzzetti.

It was hot that day, in the 90's, and humid. It felt like Vietnam. I was fumbling and sweating, trying to find his name in the directory, and I almost gave up because of the long line of people behind me were getting agitated. And then, just as I was about to walk away, there it was.
Michael T. Guzzetti. Seeing his name in the directory gave me a sick, empty feeling. But seeing his name on that black granite wall, brought it all back to me. It was true. Mikey was gone. I guess I knew it all along, and I was only fooling myself. It was right then and there, that it all caught up with me. I mean all of it, for the first time since leaving Vietnam. I cried. I mean, I cried a river of tears. I was no longer that ostrich with my head in the sand. Reality had hit home.

My father-in-law Jerry passed away in 2005. That next January of 2006, we went to Washington, DC for a memorial service for him. After the service, I brought my son Max with me to the Vietnam Memorial Wall. I wanted to get a rubbing of a few friend’s names off that long black wall.
I got one of Brian’s name and Mikey's name.



There are close to 59,000 names on that Wall. I've got at least 5 friends there. And some others that I knew but can't remember their names or their faces. I'm getting older and more forgetful. But I will always remember that baby-faced kid from Cambridge. Mikey Guzzetti.

The kid I was going to take surfing when we got back to the "World." Sigh.
Mikey was just 18 when he was killed.

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 close and 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 May 27th, 2024



BOSTON BRUIN's LEGEND BOBBY ORR in 1970!
(Below) This photo of Bobby Orr was taken in 1970 by Ed O'Connell. Ed's a HUGE Bruins fan and he's also my right hand man here at RPOTW. Ed was a medic in Vietnam in 1968 and let me tell you all right here and now (because Ed would never tell you this). Ed saved so many kids from dying over there. All the Grunts loved the Medics and Corpsmen. Those guys were the best. Thank you Ed for all that you did in the War. And thank you for all that you did in surfing. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

COMING THIS LATE SPRING/SUMMER of 2024 (June-July).
My book that I have been writing the last 100 years or so. It's looking more and more like the book will be out long after I hit my 20th Year Anniversary of this Blog. And that will be double the reason to celebrate. BOOK and BLOG.

And YES, there will be a book signing. And I will let you all know in advance, where and when. The book will be available in both hard cover and soft cover on AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, INGRAM, GOOGLE BOOKS, and KOBO PUBLISHING.



Most of my close friends have heard some of these stories first hand. But trust me, with over 100 stories, there's a handful that none of you have ever heard. It's true. Be patient my friends.
It's all coming in June of 2024.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE A LARGER
Version of both the front and back cover.

NEW SECRET SPOT UPDATE ON THEIR GO FUND ME PAGE FOR THEIR REBUILD FOR THE SUMMER OF 2024!



CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC ABOVE TO HELP SECRET SPOT.
I know it's hard to donate to so many of these GO FUND ME pages, but if you have ever eaten at SECRET SPOT especially after surfing? You know how much we need to have it back again. This is a surf owned operation. Surfers need surf food.
Every donation helps. No matter how bog or how small.

PYZEL SURFBOARDS DROPS IN AT CINNAMON RAINBOWS

This is a iPhone pic of the Jon Pyzel and the Cinnamon Rainbows crew last Friday May 24th. Pyzel Surfboards are ridden by some of the World's best. John couldn't be nicer to local surfers here in NH and his crew were pretty stoked to be here in the Granite State. Too bad we didn't have a decent swell running out there. *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Crop and PYZEL Rep Evan with one of the popular boards.
*Evan is stoked to read my book when it comes out this summer. *Click on the photo above to see the gallery



Welcome to NH Jon Pyzel and crew! They couldn't be a nicer bunch. And of course the CR crew is always accommodating with good vibes and laughs.
*Click on the photo above to see the gallery

JOE SOMOGYI 1950-1978

I remember the day like it was yesterday. The first time I met Joe Somogyi. It was a hot, humid day during the summer of 1971. I pulled up to the Wall around 10th Street in Hampton to check the Surf. As I walked up to the cement wall, there was a young man leaning against the Wall. He looked to be about my age, 20-21. He had long hair with a long mustache, and he was wearing a necklace made of bear claws around his neck. He was checking the surf as well. As I got closer, I looked down and saw a familiar tattoo.

A black panther crawling up his leg. The claws digging deep into his flesh, drawing blood. He gave me an instant look of like, "What the hell are you looking at?" No words were spoken. But I smiled and nodded. For that tattoo was a sure sign of someone who had been to Vietnam.
It was small talk about the surf at first. And I could tell this guy was not exactly auditioning for any new friends. So I kept it brief. But slowly, the subject got around to the tattoo. I'd seen enough of them in 1969 and 1970. We both looked over our shoulders to make sure no one was listening. For you see, in those days, NO ONE openly admitted they were Vietnam Veterans. It's sad but true. In the early 70's, you did not tell anyone you were a Vietnam vet.

Unless, of course, you ran into a fellow vet, and only then it was mentioned in the utmost discreet mode. I know that's hard for any of you younger veterans to understand. But it's the truth.

Turns out Joe was there at the same time I was there. He was Army, and I was a Marine. After a short time, Joe and I both realized how much we had in common. We were both Nam Vets who loved Rock and Roll and Surfing. Thinking back now, it occurred to me how the Vietnam War was the first real "Surf War.”

Surfing was very popular in the 60's from the West Coast to the East Coast. The whole country was into Surfing and the Surf culture.
Unfortunately, there was a war raging in Southeast Asia, and a lot of those surfers got drafted. There were, I'm sure, plenty of surfers who enlisted, but for the most part, they got drafted. So Joe and I were surf vets. And we became very close friends, in a very short period of time.
Those days were strange, to say the least.

Whenever Joe and I were alone, we'd talk about the War, and the minute someone else would come into earshot of our conversation, we'd clam up. I remember once when I was attending college in Boston. I was at a party with a few other Vietnam vets, when a group of students found out we were Vietnam veterans, they asked us to leave because "We were bringing them down.” We just laughed in their faces. But we ended up leaving because we didn't like the vibe.

Joe and I never talked about Nam around anyone else. We knew better. There were exceptions to the rule. But we mostly kept quiet. The War in Vietnam was winding down. 1971-73 was a bad time. We kept to ourselves in those days. It was just better for all of us. We were basically Outcasts among other veterans.

But, there was one thing that was painfully obvious to me, and to anyone who really knew Joe. You see, as proud as I am of my service, and my fellow Marines, I could never hold a candle to some of the things that Joe had experienced.

The more I learned about what he did in the War, the more respect I had for him. Joe was a bona fide War hero.

For the sake of time, the term "Hero" has been used many times in our lifetime. Especially in sports. However, there's a big difference between war heroes and Sports heroes. A Sports Hero does something he loves to do, is loved and admired by thousands of adoring fans, and more than likely, gets paid extraordinary amounts of money.

The War hero did something he more than likely didn't want to be involved in, while only a handful of people were witnesses to the deed, and they got paid little. Very little. Joe was a War Hero.

Joe Somogyi was originally from upstate New York. His father, was a survivor of the infamous Bataan Death March in the Philippines during WWII. He passed away at an early age. Leaving his wife Marion, Joe, and his older brother Steve. They made the most of it like most families do when tragedy strikes.

Joe started surfing as a young boy traveling to the Jersey Shore and Long Island. Like any surfer, once he caught that first wave, he was hooked. That was before Vietnam. Everything changed after that. He enlisted in the US Army after High School in 1968, reluctantly leaving the waves of the Jersey shore.

He became a highly respected Airborne Army Ranger having graduated from Fort Benning GA Airborne course in March of 1969. Shortly after, he was sent to Vietnam, arriving in country on July 4th, 1969 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. He was promoted to the rank of Spec 4. He attended the 5th Special Forces MACV Recondo School, and was, from that time, on involved in some of the War's most dangerous covert missions. Joe was deep into the War that only a few would ever experience.

For starters. Photo Recon missions; when his team of 3 would be inserted deep into "Indian Country" for days on end. Secretly watching and recording entire NVA (North Vietnamese Army) battalions. Learning quickly the disadvantage of reporting enemy activity too soon would result in "Arc Light" bombings from the ominous B-52s. "The ground would roll and shake," he'd say.

He told me firsthand how his team captured an NVA payroll officer without firing a shot. "We laid on our backs in the tall grass, waiting for hours; finally, the officer and his two armed guards came walking down the trail. We sprung up and grabbed the officer, and dispatched the two armed guards on the spot.

They then brought the terrified officer back to their base camp." Can you imagine that? I can't. It scares me to this day to think how much courage something like that took.

That kind of enemy contact was sure to get him in trouble. Sure enough, during one mission, they were attacked by a large force of enemy soldiers. Joe was stabbed in the arm by an NVA soldier carrying an AK-47 with a folding stock bayonet. They got out, but not before they had to deal with combat up close. That day shook Joe to the core.

Another time, Joe happened to be in the vicinity of an NVA rocket attack. An orphanage was hit and was in the process of burning down. Joe heard the sounds of those kids screaming and, with complete disregard for his own safety, went into that burning building and pulled those children out of there. I like to think that some of those kids have grown up, and made something of their lives. I would hope that some of them might remember that brave Army Ranger who saved their lives that day.

It wasn't always intense for Joe. He used to have a photo on his kitchen table in where he lived in here in Hampton. It was a picture of Joe near China Beach, outside of DaNang. He's standing there holding a surfboard. Big smile on his face. Joe had found a way to surf in Vietnam.

I would look at the slides Joe had. It was, at the time, amazing to see how beautiful Vietnam was where Joe operated out of. Of course, that was before we ever heard the words "Agent Orange.” Turns out, they sprayed the areas where he and his team worked out in pretty heavily. Now for all intents and purposes, I don't believe for one minute, that the US government knowingly sprayed their own troops, knowing that the stuff they were spraying, would cause cancer and some serious harm, and even death. I don't think Joe believed it, either.

Joe left Vietnam on July 3rd, 1970. He was awarded The Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Pathfinder Badge, the Parachute Badge, the MACV Recondo Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal w/ two oak leaf clusters, the Vietnam Campaign ribbon, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the M-16 Marksman badge and a number of other awards and medals.

He moved to Hampton to start a new life and to go surfing. He quickly got a job working as a carpenter and was on his way to becoming a solid "Hamptonite." He bought a house on Mill Pond Road in Hampton and was the happiest I'd ever seen him. We surfed and worked our way through the years, and life was good. Working and Surfing. His brother Steve and his Mom would travel up to visit from New York every summer.

He was proud of his nephew Eric and couldn't wait to take him surfing. Joe was a survivor, and nothing could possibly go wrong.

Around 1977 Joe started to get sick to his stomach. We both joked about what was wrong with him. Neither one of us having any idea. But Joe paid no attention to his pain. He continued to work as a carpenter with Norm Murphy on the seacoast. The two of them built many of the homes you see here on the seacoast today. Joe was becoming part of the community. We were surfing and working. Joe being sick was just a temporary thing. No big deal. The war was behind us, having ended in 1975. Nothing but good times lay ahead for us. But that stomach pain was too much. He finally went to the VA hospital.

I remember the phone call after Joe's visit to the VA hospital. "They gave me my ticket.” he said.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked. "I got the Big C.” he said. Then silence. And for the first time, since I'd known him, he cried. Hell, we both cried. Joe hung on for six months, but the cancer in his stomach spread too far. There was no way out of this mess. Not this time.
On the last day in May 1978, I visited him in his room at the Manchester VA Hospital. When I walked into the room, I was not prepared for how much weight he had lost. He looked like he was 100 years old. "Pretty scary, huh?" he said.
I tried to keep a stiff upper lip and said, "Not really." knowing damn well that it was, in fact, very scary.
Joe was typically around 175 lbs. But now, looking at him, he couldn't have weighed more than 80 lbs.
He never lost his sense of humor, though. At one point, the nurse walked in and looked at his untouched plate of food. "Not hungry Joe?" she asked. "Nah, I'm on a diet.” he replied. Only he and I laughed. Call it Nam humor.
We talked for hours, about everything. Surfing, music, girls, our friends, our family, work, and more surfing. The very last thing he said to me was, "I'm ready for a new adventure.”

I remember asking him to try and contact me from the other side. Find a way to let me know that you're there. He said he would try. (*There have been several times over the years where I believe he was there.) Finally, I had to leave, it was a Friday night, and I was playing music in Boston that night. We hugged each other for a long time, and then we said goodbye to each other. Forever. He passed away a few hours later.

Joe Somogyi was 28 years old.

So Memorial Day means a lot of different things to many people, but to me and my fellow vets, it's a time to reflect on how lucky we truly all are because of the brave Americans like Brian, Joe, and Mikey who were willing to sacrifice it all, for Freedom and Democracy. It's not about car sales, or mattress sales.
And it's not about thanking the living veterans. You can thank the living Veterans on Veterans Day.
Memorial Day is about those who died fighting in all of America's wars. Period. Since WWII to the current GWOT, some 1,300,000 Americans have given their lives for our country. And, over 1.5 million more, have been wounded. Think about that.

We owe each and every one of them, our most sincere respect, and heartfelt thanks. And may we never, ever, forget their sacrifices, or the sacrifices that their families and friends have endured. Honor, Respect, and remember them all today.

Thank you and God Bless.

The NEXT BLOG will be posted in two weeks.

“SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

Peter Stokes turned 75 on May 22nd, 2024 and a handful of his friends were on hand to share a few waves.



Surprisingly, there were actual waves for those of us who paddled out with him. I personally witnessed Peter get some smooth carves as he surfed his way into his 75th year on the planet. I hope to still be surfing when I'm 75.



Saturday May 25th, 2024 Kody and Lili Grondin's awesome wedding took place in Canada. I was the officiant of the wedding. We all had so much fun dancing the night away.
Kody and Lili are a perfect match and we wish them the best.

Here's one for the ages. I was best man at Kevin's wedding in 1989 and Max was best man at Kody's wedding. Oh and Finn was in the wedding too. What a great day and night.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

One of my favorite times of the year is the HBCF. Look for a future LOCAL LEGENDS Story on Jimmy in the near future. He's currently in LA working on the 2nd season of FRASIER with Kelsey Grammer. I suggest you get your tickets early for the HBCF because they sell out pretty quickly.

As much as I loathe and despise the Orange one. This individual is a close second. She should just learn to keep her trap shut. I mean Marjorie Taylor Greene is the female version of Manure Man Trump. Maybe he should pick her as a VP choice. She got put in her place pretty good by Democrat Jasmine Crockett when she called Moscow Marjorie a BLEACHE BLONDE BAD BUILT BUTCH BODY. Damn. That was a good one. My close friends all know I'm a huge fan of Davey Crockett (not that she's related) so to hear that just roll off her tongue like that? It was poetic justice. And of course our boy Khaliddy was there to cover the story. Maybe we can actually but these dolls. Boy I'd buy a handful if they did. Any way, the Sheik is getting the latest scoop on more of these crazy stories for his ever popular Political gossip column in the GITMO GAZETTE, "Khaliddy's Korner" is once again Giddy with the news. So stay tuned shit's about to get REAL nasty.

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 used Barbie Dolls at Home Depot this week.

PLEASE KEEP Karen Evans in your thoughts and prayers. Karen is currently battling FTD (Frontotemporal Dementia) a result of damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. She's doing remarkably well in dealing with this condition. The Evans have been local icons here for as long as I can remember. All the Surf Families are in full support of Rick, Karen, Matt, Megan and Nick and baby Luka, and of course Mikel. Sending your positive thoughts and prayers to Karen and the family are welcome.

GET WELL SOON Martha Lardent!
REST IN PEACE Bill Walton age 71.
REMEMBER THE FALLEN MEMORIAL DAY May 27th, 2024
GO CELTICS! SWEEPING THE PACERS ON Memorial Day!
The 16th Annual HIT THE BEACH is on August 23rd, 2024
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Please keep LOCAL SURF LEGEND Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.

"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

THE LATE JOE SOMOGYI 1974.
I posted the video of Joe at the top of this page. I've posted it several times before. If you have never seen it or have not seen it in a while you should watch it. It's pretty good. It's all Joe surfing against a song I wrote about him called A SONG FOR JOE it's performed by The NOR'EASTERS.
Photo by RALPH
*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- MONDAY MAY 13th, 2024 Photos by RALPH



(Above) Another beautiful morning with hardly anyone out.
Monday May 13th, 2024. 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) The sets were rolling in with only a handful to ride them.
Monday May 13th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I love seeing surfers run down the beach to an empty line-up. Monday May 13th, 2024. 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.

Welcome Solsticenh.com Melinda is a local NH surfer.
Click on the ad above to visit her site.

(Above) Dropping in and leaning back to take it all in.
Monday May 13th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Monday May 13th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.




NEW Client to the BLOG WELCOME 935 OCEAN
Click on the ad to find out where to stay the next time
you're in town.

(Above) That feeling of hitting the water and seeing empty waves.
Monday May 13th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The sets kept coming. Green, empty, and glassy.
Monday May 13th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to see the NEW SURFER'S JOURNAL

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

(Above) This longboarder was getting his fair share.
Monday May 13th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) There were some moments for the shortboarders.
Monday May 13th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) They had no boots and no gloves. Monday May 13th, 2024. 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

Today- PETER STOKES 75th SESH MAY 22nd, 2024
Photos by RALPH



(Above) The crew that celebrated Peter's 75 Birthday.
Wednesday May 22nd, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Peter paddles for his first wave. Wednesday May 22nd, 2024. Photo by RALPH *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) The man is still surfing with style at 75.
Wednesday May 22nd, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Is it still fun Peter? Yes it is Ralph. Wednesday May 22nd, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The art of Donna Baldassari

Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.

Today- THE DINALAND GALLERY MAY 21st, 2024
Photos by Dina Crawford

(Above) There she is again. Sarah Lord. Tuesday May 21st, 2024.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Eric Cannon at DINALAND.
Tuesday May 21st, 2024. Photo by Dina Crawford
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(Above) Britt Swartley DINALAND Tuesday May 21st, 2024.
Photo by Dina Crawford
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(Above) Eric Cannon was on fire this green and glassy morning.
DINALAND. Tuesday May 21st, 2024. Photo by Dina Crawford
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(Above) Corey Beale DINALAND Tuesday May 21st, 2024.
Photo by Dina Crawford
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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) Eric Cannon again. Tuesday May 21st, 2024.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Sarah in almost the exact same stance as the photo one.
Tuesday May 21st, 2024. Photo by Dina Crawford
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(Above) Cannon leaning in at DINALAND.
Tuesday May 21st, 2024. Photo by Dina Crawford
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(Above) Eric again setting up at DINALAND.
Tuesday May 21st, 2024. Photo by Dina Crawford
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Listen to QWILL on the new video at the top of this page.

Today- ANOTHER DINALAND SESH MAY 12th& 13th, 2024
Photos by Dina Crawford

(Above) Sarah Lord Colby Sunday May 12th, 2024.
Photo by Dina Crawford
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(Above) Unknown woman hitting the brakes at DINALAND.
Sunday May 12th, 2024. Photo by Dina Crawford
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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) Britt Swartley Monday May 13th, 2024.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- THE SAME SWELL BUT DIFFERENT BREAK.
MAY 12th, 2024 Photos by Bob Costanzo

(Above) On any given Sunday. Sunday May 12th, 2024.
Photo by Bob Costanzo
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Brian BMO Morse. Sunday May 12th, 2024.
Photo by Bob Costanzo
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 27th, 2024
Photos by RALPH

(Above) Longtime NH Surfer and Retired US ARMY Colonel Jay Hammer.
Memorial Day Monday May 27th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) Master Gunnery Sgt Snyder was the guest speaker this year.
Memorial Day Monday May 27th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) CDR Berk Bennett AMERICAN LEGION Post 35
Memorial Day Monday May 27th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) Ralph Fatello and John Dalsanto at Exeter NH Memorial Day Observance. Memorial Day Monday May 27th, 2024. Photo by Max
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(Above) My dear friends and part of my family after my speech.
Memorial Day Monday May 27th, 2024. Photo by Post 32
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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 1500 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) My friend Stephen Avola specializes in beautiful sunrises on the Massachusetts North Shore. May 22ndth, 2024.
Photo by Stephen Avola
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) From the 2007 Memorial Day Parade in North Hampton. With the late George Masten and John Emerey.
Photo c/o American Legion Post 35
*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 # 771 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 Ryan Schnell
*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 small waves all week

I'm picking Wednesday May 29th, 2024 as the best of the week!

May 27th, 2024

There's nothing funny about this. But there sure is a whole lot of truth about it. Remember this the next time you go to the beach.

(ABOVE) I'm glad someone made this meme up. People forget.
Photo by The GOOGLE Machine



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