Ralph's Pix of the Week

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

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AVA IDALIA from SURF FREE OR DIE on Vimeo.

About this particular video. I shot this footage at sunrise yesterday morning (September 5th, 2023). It was breathtakingly beautiful out there.
I had to leave early to attend a funeral for some dear friends of ours. At the funeral service, I heard this incredible tenor (Brian Landry)
sing this song "AVA MARIA," and thought, this would make a good soundtrack to this footage. I spoke with him after the funeral
and he told me he just recorded this song last week. And then he told me his dad was a Marine in Vietnam. Whoa. It was like it was meant to be.
The waves were from Hurricane Idalia and this song just seemed to fit. Maybe I'm wrong, but it just seemed to fit the mood of the day.

So I dedicate this video to Tom Grondin. Rest In Peace Tom. And say hello to Frank from all of us.

September 10th, 2023 The RUN is 12 out of 12 Weeks.
Waist high or better at least once a week.
There were waist to head high with the occasional overhead waves all week due to Hurricane Idalia September 3rd-4th-5th-6th, 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.

HURRICANE IDALIA! The 22nd SEPTEMBER 11th OBSERVANCE. 9-11-23. AND TOM BRADY DAY AT GILLETTE STADIUM 9-10-23! TWO SURFBOARDS STOLEN FROM POPULAR NH SURF BREAK.
HURRICANE LEE IS COMING!

I shot this at sunrise on September 5th, 2023. It was so pretty out there.

I typically don't like to toot my own horn when it comes to surf photography but...the last two days I heard a couple of people question me as to my shooting in the water. *I swam out and shot for 3 hours at one of the local point breaks yesterday and had to deal with queries like this. "I've never seen you shoot in the water before." And this one "Is this something new for you, shooting in the water?" I'm not gonna lie, it kind of ticked me off.

Because the truth is, I've been shooting in the water for well over 50 freaking years! And the two that questioned me and my water skills, were not even born yet, when I first starting shooting in the water. So yeah, not surprisingly, it kind of pissed me off.

Then later that night I thought about it, and now, I honestly believe, that I was the very first surf photographer to ever shoot in the water at The Rocks, Fox Hill, The Wall, Straws, and a number of other local spots. And I do know for a fact, that I was the very first to shoot in the water at Devereaux in Mass, and at Winthrop. And I challenge anyone out there, to dispute those claims. Anyone.

So excuse me, I've been shooting in the water a long time.

This pic was shot IN THE WATER in 1972. That's 51 years ago. The truth is I have shot in the water at least a half dozen times every year since the early 70's. So please don't question me shooting in the water ever again. Those of you who know me well, know the truth. And you have always known the truth.

This is another water shot from September 5th, 2023. Unknown Goofy foot racing by me at the midway section.

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 September 10th, 2023

This pic is from September 7th, 2012. This was from a Tropical Storm off the coast of NH. I thought this pic matched the one on the left so I chose this one fro Ed's Pic of the Week.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

COMING THIS FALL. The long awaited book that I have been writing the last 10 years or so. Yes, there will be a book signing. And I will let you all know in advance, where and when. Meanwhile Click on the image below to see a larger version. The book will be available in both hard cover and soft cover on AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, INGRAM, and KOBO PUBLISHING. It's been a long time coming. I'm pretty stoked about this project. 72 years in the making. Stay tuned.

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 the fall of 2023. Just in time for the holidays.

This is Beckley Stearns on September 5th, 2023. Check out my entire GoPro Gallery down below in the photo section.

This man is the most stoked individual I know when it comes to Surfing. Sky Rosa loves to watch the surfers catch waves and he especially likes it when they wipeout when they are out there. Including his dad. Nothing gets by Sky, He sees it all. And it's all good with Sky. He genuinely loves surfing. I have no doubt, that he dreams of the waves he watches. That's what stoked people do. We dream about waves. Same with Sky. He loves surfing.

Barbie got nothing on my boy James. Think Pink.

Martha Lardent got some cool shots this last swell.

Yes it was this warm. I know this, because I too surfed with NO wetsuit this past week. Unknown bearded regular foot at the Wall on 9-5-23.

I'm blessed to have my family be so close by that I constantly run into them when I'm working the local surf spots.

M-EE was one of the few who said the hell with wearing a wetsuit..

This is Max on September 5th, 2023. Photo by Stu Horne.

This is me shooting Ian Dreher on September 5th, 2023. Photo by Stu Horne.

THIS MUST STOP. STEALING SURFBOARDS IS NOT COOL.

PLEASE be on the lookout for this board. Any information can go through me. Lets get this board back to the rightful owner.

“SURFING AND REMEMBERING 9-11 HEALS ALL WOUNDS.”

REMEMBER THE FALLEN ON 9-11.

I was the one who spearheaded this monument on the 5th Anniversary of 9-11. I was the Commander for AMERICAN LEGION Post 35 in Hampton, NH and this was my idea to have the FIRST IN THE NATION monument to honor the fallen from the state of New Hampshire. I'm proud of the work that we did to get this unique monument built in 2006. And I'm still very proud that our Post still honors this day and those we lost on September 11th, 2001 and the the sacrifices and losses since in the never ending Global War On Terrorism.

I was once asked by a reporter as to what would we do when the GWOT ends. My answer then is the same as it is today. There is no end to the war on terror. And that there are terrorists who have not been born yet that our children will be fighting in the future. So it's important that we remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all free and safe.

"REMEMBER 9-11"
I often wonder how many new readers of this Blog know who this individual is? Well, let me enlighten you. "Khalid Sheik Mohammed" was the individual who came up with the concept of flying jet airliners into buildings. It was his idea, to take fully fueled large civilian aircrafts, with innocent passengers on-board, and fly them into the Twin Towers, The Pentagon, and the empty field in Pennsylvania. That last plane was more than likely headed for either the Capital, or The White House, but those brave passengers on-board Flt 93 attacked those coward Terrorists and made them crash into that empty field. Sorry Khaliddy. I bet you didn't see that one coming huh? Civilians fighting back

And this piece of human garbage known as KSM was the one who came up with that idea. Granted, he was partners with the late Osama Bin Laden, but it was his idea to hijack those jet planes and crash them into buildings. KSM. The Master Mind of 9-11.

This is why I photoshop him every single week. It's not enough that he will spend the rest of his life in GITMO. I wanted to do my small part in honoring the brave individuals who captured him in Pakistan in 2003, and ultimately saved countless of American Lives by taking him off the streets. Plus I wanted to continue to avenge the lives of those lost on 9-11 and the years that followed in the GWOT. Just thought you should know. That's why I do it.

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 few bags of goat manure at Home Depot this week.

Today was TOM BRADY Day at Gillette Stadium. It was GREAT to see him in his familiar Number 12 jersey. It's too bad the Patriots didn't win today. It would have been a fitting day to honor this man's legacy.

GET READY FOR HURRICANE LEE! WHOA! This could be the real deal. So I'd think about about pulling those mini-guns off the rafters. You made need the extra length

HEAL QUICKLY Tony Berardini from ankle surgery.
(Above) Tony's last wave before surgery the next day.
Photo by Shelly.
Feel Better Johnny "JIM" Meehan from your surfboard accident. On 9-5-23.
HAPPY 3rd ANNIVERSARY Noelle & Pete Rizzo 9-12-23!HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOKU NICHOLS SEPTEMBER 7th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX Fatello SEPTEMBER 14th, 2023!
HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY Michael Colby September 14th, 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 continues to recover from heart surgery he had on July 7th, 2023 at 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

TWENTY TWO YEARS AGO. SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001.
For those of you who remember. This was 22 years ago. Each year I post this photo to remind us all what happened that day for us surfers up here in the Northeast. Hurricane Erin was off the coast and we had great waves when our country was attacked. And that attack resulted in the longest war since Vietnam. The GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.
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- HURRICANE IDALIA DAY I September 4th, 2023.
Photos by RALPH

(Above) This was the start of DAY I of HURRICANE IDALIA
Monday September 4th, 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) The waves started slow but they were fun. MVF. DAY I of HURRICANE IDALIA Monday September 4th, 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) This was one of the best waves I saw on DAY I of HURRICANE IDALIA Monday September 4th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- HURRICANE IDALIA DAY II GoPro 7 Pics
September 5th, 2023. Photos by RALPH

(Above) Mackey V on the inside section. The GO PRO Pics from DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 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) Mackey V tubed on the takeoff. The GO PRO Pics from DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Kalani Kaowili The GO PRO Pics from DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 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) I think his name is Eric. The GO PRO Pics from DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 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) Casey Lockwood on the inside section. The GO PRO Pics from DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- HURRICANE IDALIA DAY II
September 5th, 2023. Photos by RALPH

(Above) Crowley Gentile whipping things around . DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 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) James Morse does not give a rats ass what you think about his Pink wetsuit. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Kody Grondin taking a whack at the Hill. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023. 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) MVF in the waning light of the Wall on DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Joe Carter, Brian Nevins, and Nick Lavecchia

(Above) Unknown at The Wall. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA
Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- HURRICANE IDALIA DAY III
September 6th, 2023. Photos by RALPH

(Above) Dougie Wright on DAY III of HURRICANE IDALIA
Wednesday September 6th, 2023. 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.

(Above) Dougie Wright on a left on DAY III of HURRICANE IDALIA
Wednesday September 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This guy snagged a leftover from the day before. DAY III of HURRICANE IDALIA Wednesday September 6th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- HURRICANE IDALIA DAY II
September 5th, 2023. Photos by Stu Horne

(Above) Max Fatello cutting a deep one on DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Stu Horne
*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) Eric on a nice set wave on DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA
Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Stu Horne
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is a great shot of Mackey V on DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Stu Horne
*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) BMO slicing down on DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA
Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Stu Horne
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Casey Lockwood carving one across the coping with yours truly getting the action on my GoPro 7. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA
Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Stu Horne
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- DINALAND HURRICANE IDALIA DAY II
September 5th, 2023. Photos by Dina Crawford

(Above) Always greener in Dinaland. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA
Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Grey on green in Dinaland. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA
Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I wonder how much warmer it was down in Dinaland?
DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*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) Whoa there's some size. Dinaland. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA
Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is clearly one of the bigger waves of DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- HURRICANE IDALIA DAY II
September 5th, 2023. Photos by Shelly Berardini

(Above) This is a wild pic. That's Mackey doing a deep gouge with me at the bottom of the wave trying to capture the action. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Shelly Berardini
*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) This is Ian Dreher. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Shelly Berardini
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is BMO doing a cutback with yours truly again in the
orange hat trying to get the shot. DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA
Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Shelly Berardini
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- DRONE PICS FROM HURRICANE IDALIA DAY II
September 5th, 2023. Photos by Martha Lardent

(Above) This is a very cool shot of DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA
Tuesday September 5th, 2023. Photo by Martha Lardent
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is what it looks like if you were a Gull or a Cormorant.
DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023.
Photo by Martha Lardent
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) That line of whitewater is pretty telling from this angle.
DAY II of HURRICANE IDALIA Tuesday September 5th, 2023.
Photo by Martha Lardent
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- PICS FROM HURRICANE FRANKLIN AND IDALIA
September, 2023. Photo by Ryan Jackson

(Above) I love this angle of this spot. September, 2023.
Photo by Ryan Jackson
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Even though he got hurt doing something similar, Ryan still
has a soft spot in his heart of AIRS. September, 2023.
Photo by Ryan Jackson
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I'm not sure what the hell is going on here. I don't think he knows either. September, 2023. Photo by Ryan Jackson
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

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

(Above) He loves taking me back on a memory-lane trip. These are places that I know well. September 5th, 2023. Photo by Stephen Avola
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) From a couple of weeks ago. The Wounded warriors HIT THE BEACH Day Friday August 25th, 2023. Photo Shelly Berardini
*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 # 740 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 RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the outcome