I guess this is worth mentioning. Friday April 15th marked my 12th year of me tapping away on this keyboard, shooting a million photos, and making dozens of surf videos. All here on this blog. Seems like yesterday that I was actually doing just one pic a week.

And keeping with my weekly task, I shot this pic on the 15th.



I'll take a quick bow and then let's move along. 12 years is not a big number per se. 10 was, 15 will be, and of course 20. That's 8 years from now. I should still be here. (Talking above ground). So, another year has come and gone.



As long as we're all still having fun out there, I'll still be shooting the action.
Like I did on the 12th anniversary here.

You know, I have seen my share of Rock Stars, and other celebrities. And I have seen enough Surf stars come through town over the years. Shaun, Tomson, Tom Curran, Robert August, Shane Dorian, Reef McIntosh, Wingnut, Simon Anderson, Tom Carroll, Lisa Anderson, and Mark "Occy" Occhilupo to name a few. And I can honestly say that surf stars are so down to earth, and so much like you and I, that to even label them stars is sort of an embarrassment to them. I mean they're surfers!

They just happen to surf circles around most of us.

But to a person, they are humble, friendly, and usually pretty funny. In other words it's like hanging with your buds. This was the case this week when Timmy Reyes and Chuy came to Cinnamon Rainbows to demo the SLATER boards by FIREWIRE. Timmy and crew hung around the shop and signed posters, while talking about the new SLATER boards. At one point I cornered Timmy and asked "So what's it going to take to get you out in the water today?"

Like any surfer he needed no arm twisting, and as luck would have it, there was a decent clean little waist high swell filling in across the street from the shop. I only had my NIKON with me, so I drove up the street to grab my video camera.



Long story short, Timmy picked up the OMNI and paddled out at "CR's"

Remember what I said about pro surfers surfing circles around us mere mortals? Well, Timmy somehow managed to make those waves seem better than what they were. Way better.

He rocked the shit out of that board, and his surfing was so fast it blew the hood off his head (OK he pulled it off himself). But dam was he fast. I managed to shoot some video of him, and well, the video doesn't lie. It's down in the video section. You need to check it out.

Meanwhile here are some video frame grabs from the clip. As you know, video frame grabs are NOT suitable for framing (pun intended here). But you should get a clear picture in your head as to what is going on out in the water.



The SLATER OMNI was impressive. The quick response and ease of turning was apparent in every wave Timmy took off on. Just watch the video. I am not going to try and sell you on the board, I'm just reporting the facts of what I saw and documented. I will say this, you really should take a look at these boards. There's a style and shape for everyone.



The Omni being put to the test by Timmy Reyes. Ralphie was impressed.



The Omni SLATER by Firewire at North Beach, Hampton, NH.



There are two more galleries of Timmy Reyes in this week's blog. Do check it out. You owe it to yourself. Too bad they couldn't hang another few days, because the swell shot up. And I'm pretty sure that Timmy and Chuy would of loved to sample the good stuff. Next time boys. Next time.

This last week saw the Vimeo posting of two videos I shot and edited. The TIMMY REYES clip and the swell of April 8th & 9th that I call APE-RILLA.



That's right, it's a play on words. APRIL and APE-RILLA. Got it? So here's the crazy part of posting this clip. A few days after I posted APE-RILLA a real APE escaped from a zoo in Japan and led the zoo keepers on a wild (and I do mean wild) chase of this very large Chimpanzee. Check this pic out. Are you shitting me? That bad boy wanted a piece of this guy. Scary stuff.



It was like watching a live version of King Kong's demise. They had to shoot the beast to calm him down. Not with real bullets. They used some kind of tranquilizer. I mean look at this pic. He's pissed.

This gave me the shivers. Having owned a large Monkey in my life, it brought back all the horror I had with that thing. Good lord primates and humans should not live together. Remember my old saying "DON'T EVER BUY A MONKEY."

"Surfing and Monkeys Heals All Wounds (NOT)"

I know this spot is a favorite of Carter Walsh. It was also a favorite of Ed's. We both loved shooting there. It's an easy set up for photographers. The action is pretty much in your face. No need for big lenses here. Carter Walsh learning the slight nuances of a wave I named in 1974.

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.

On Tuesday April 26th, 2016 there's going to be a bevy
of talent coming to town. Mark it down on your calendars.



The name is legendary. Donald Takayama was Guy's uncle.
*Also at FLATBREAD that night is the ESA benefit!



*Also at FLATBREAD that night is the ESA benefit!


*ALSO at FLATBREAD that night is the ESA benefit!

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
Sing to Benny and The Jets by Sir Elton John.
" Bernie-Bernie-Bernie and The Pope." Am I going to hell? Nah. This Pope has a sense of humor. Wonder what he thought of Grandpa Sanders? This race to the White house is getting crazier by the minute.



Sins? He's had a few. But none more than these two.



Sad but true. I mean TRUMP is into one person. Himself.



She was yelling so loud at the last debate, I'm sure it added a few more wrinkles to her face. We are all getting old. There's no stopping it. Another reason why her husband Bill wants to get back in the White House again. All them young interns.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Now what the hell is KSM doing here? Looks like he tried to escape from GITMO. I swear it seems like what ever is current in the news, Ole KSM gets into the swing of things.



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 KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self must pick up a case of bananas at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lisa Shaheen McCarthy April 10th!

Please Pray for a NH Icon from the Seacoast. North Beach Matriarch Jane McCarthy is needing some love and prayers. Jane is the mother of Duffy McCarthy and the whole McCarthy clan. She's been a fixture on the Wall forever.
You all have seen her, you might not know her, but trust me, she has seen you all. And please continue to 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

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

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) Funny how I completely missed Matt Colby the last two swells. But I think I more than made up for it with this session, and the sesh with Timmy Reyes.
Friday, April 15th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Not sure who this goofy foot is, but I do know I like these colors.
Friday, April 15th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Pev was picking off any wave he wanted out there. "Big Green"
allows him to do that. Friday, April 15th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Lars Hamilton fresh back from a total learning experience,
on Hawaii's North Shore, gets reacquainted with his home breaks.
Friday, April 15th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Chuy and Chris dressed for the occasion. There was a bite in the wind that afternoon. April 12th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The video is much clearer. Timmy rocking the Omni.
Tuesday April 12th, 2016 Video frame grab by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery