April 19, 2009 "Greek Easter "

"Today's my 40th birthday!" he said with a big grin. The comment came from Chris Shipley. He was standing there holding his longboard, his longhair and beard dripping wet from his session. "Well, Happy Birthday to you." I answered. "I think I got a few shots of you out there." I added. His eyes really bugged at that notion. "Really?" he asked half excitedly and half reserved. "Yep. Pretty sure." I said looking out at the lineup as I continued to snap away at others. Then it came. The question we all ask, when we think someone got a photo of us surfing. "Can I see them?" I looked over at him. "Well, I post on Sundays. If they came out OK, you'll see them then." He knows the drill. Chris is a photographer himself. "That would be great if you got some of me." He continued. "I'm pretty sure I got some good ones." I said, as I followed another surfer with the long lens.

"Nothing like surfing on your birthday!" I said as I walked in the wet sand.

And really, there is nothing like it. Getting waves on your birthday. Talk about cool gifts. I think we can all say with good reason, that it's a special feeling to get good surf on your birthday. My own birthday is in the middle of the Summer, so it's a crap shoot getting waves on my special day. However, I have gotten my share through the years. And there's REALLY nothing like getting barreled on your birthday. That has got to be the ultimate birthday gift. And, I have to say, I have experienced that as well. Getting barreled on your birthday. What else could top that? I mean really. Keep the cake and ice cream and festive gatherings. Give me a good swell any day. I don't know how many of you have experienced waves on your birthday. But it's pretty special. Especially the big birthdays. 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70. So Chris getting good surf on his 40th was pretty special to him. And I was happy to have actually shot him, without that knowledge, and made his day with my revelation.

Later on as I was getting ready to leave and go for a surf myself, another friend pulled up at the Wall and laid claim to the same announcement. My friend Patrick Hall was all excited to tell me it was his birthday. And he was less than subtle at hinting that he would love a photo of himself surfing on his birthday. Because I was also amping to get wet, I yelled at him "To get the hell out there" so I could snap a pic or two of him. He did just that. However, he also left his surf buddy Mike O'Neill to fend for himself and his new wetsuit. Which meant that Mike would be calling for me to assist him. "Damn. I just want to go surfing! " I yelled. "The last thing I want to do now, is get you in a freaking wetsuit!" I said to Mike, who was basically suffocating trying to stuff his large frame, into this sausage casing of a wetsuit.

"Why do they make these things so small?" he asks. "They don't." I answered. Clearly the problem was not the suit being too small. It was painfully obvious, what the problem was. I know, because I am suffering from the same problem. The winter hibernation, has suddenly become an issue with a bunch of us. Peeling away the winter clothes, and winter wetsuits, has revealed our winter look. In short. A bunch of us, need to shed more, than our winter suits and winter clothes. We need to shed some winter body weight. Somehow, I was able to get Mike zippered up and sent him out to sea. And, I was able to get a few waves of Patrick. So Patrick Hall and Chris Shipley both got waves on their birthday. And I was there, to capture them both on this special day.

You guys owe me. And don't think for a moment, that I won't remind you.

I don't know where you were on Friday, but it was such a good day both here on the Seacoast and in the Mountains. I had several close friends hit three different mountains and report back to me that it was all time. My buddy Geoff Haenn and his lovely wife Lori had invited me to Stowe for a few days of boarding and free room and board. And my other buddy Rich Appel invited me to Sugarloaf for some of the same. I regret not being able to participate with either one, but I was more than stoked, to score some great waves down the street from my home. And with the sun shining bright, and the wind offshore all day long, and the air temps hovering around 70 degrees...well? I know we all scored. Unless you missed both. In which case, I'm not trying to rub it in. I'm just trying to report what went down here in New England. Surf and Snow. It was Spring Conditions at both locales.

The Snowboarding photos that Brian Nevins sent are testament to that. It was classic New England Spring Snow. If you've never experienced true short sleeve snowboarding with a hot blazing sun beating down on you, well you have not truly experienced classic NE Spring Snowboarding. It's as good as you might think. And judging from the photos, and the firsthand accounts from Haenn and others. And after reading Brian's own words (see for yourself on his Special Snowboarding page), well, it sounds like we all scored. Ocean and Mountains. You could not lose. And this day in April will go down as one of the best days in the mountains and the ocean in 2009. I was glad to have experienced one of the two.

So this week, was yet again, another incredible week for surf. And really, what is is this, week number 8? It is. 8 weeks of surf. That's insane. Since the last week of February, we've had consistent weekly swells. I'm almost afraid to say it out loud for fear of the inevitable flat spell that will eventually come. And it looks like more coming Tuesday, Wednesday, and into Thursday. The good news is...put away your 5/4/3 suits. It's clearly 4/3 time. I saw many riders with no hoods. I even rode a wave or two at the end of my own session with no hood. It's getting warmer all the time. Warm weather, warm water, and more swells. My brothers and sisters you've got to love this pattern we're in.

Speaking of surfing the other day. I was paddling by this guy who looked very familiar to me. I thought he was the surfing dentist I know in Exeter. I said hello, and asked him if he was in fact, the surfing dentist. "No. My name's Michael" he says "I'm the tallest surfer in Hampton!" "Really?" I answer. "How tall are you?" I ask. "I'm 6' 7" he answers. "Damn...that is tall! How long is your board?" I asked."Same size". He says. "I don't know anyone taller than me." He states. "Yea, me either. I guess you are, the tallest Surfer in Hampton." I reply as I paddled for a wave. So, if anyone is taller than 6' 7" let me know. Otherwise, Michael is the tallest damn surfer we have around these parts.

I couldn't help but notice how many waves Noreen was catching out there on Friday. She was catching quite a few. And I also couldn't help but notice how many female surfers were out there as well. I counted 5 women surfers. Now, that may not seem like a lot, but it is at this time of the year. Clearly, Noreen was leading the charge taking off on most set waves, and having herself a fun day at her homebreak. Her dad Jack Cadignan is a good surfer, who I have known for many years. I'm guessing that Jack was instrumental in Noreen taking up the surfing lifestyle. Passing on the surfing genes, and sharing the pure stoke with family and friends is (for some of us), a great pleasure. For others, it's a curse. The negative minority who feel that surfing is already too crowded and anymore surfers will only ruin it for them. I can't help them. I do know, that a smile and a nod, to let someone else get a wave pays huge dividends in this lifestyle. Besides, surfing is not for everyone. And I think we can all agree that, that's a good thing.

Speaking of women surfers. Have you all seen the cover of the latest SURFERS JOURNAL? It is by far, one of the most poetic, soulful, surf images I have ever seen. And it is a historic cover as well. How's that? Well, it is the first cover with a woman surfer on the cover. The woman's name is Belinda Peterson Baggs. The photo was taken by Dane Peterson. It is a stunning photo. Seriously, you should check it out, in fact you should pick up a copy or get yourself a subscription. The Surfer's Journal is by far, the most well put together magazine out there. Each issue is like a coffee table book. And I'm not just saying this because they are an affiliate of this column. I'm saying it, because it's true. TSJ is in a league of it's own.

The same with ESM. The FREE Magazine for the entire East Coast. Eastern Surf Magazine is exactly what it says. It's a mag all about the Right Coast. I've known Mez for many, many years. And when he Dugan and their crew decided to launch a mag for all of us, we all hoped it would last. Well, it's done more than that. Since 1992 these guys have been passionate about our coastline. They knew well in advance of anyone else, what a rich wave field we have for surf. And they knew what kind of talent comes out of the East Coast. Hello? Kelly the Animal Slater Mr 9 time World Champ, is a product of the East Coast. Today Matt Pruett and Nick McGregor carry the ESM tradition on keeping it fresh each month with stories and pics of your coast. Our coast.

No sir, you can do no wrong with a copy of ESM and TSJ in your home every month.

Hey speaking of the Surfers Journal, a few months ago, there was an article about Vietnam and Surfing. They mentioned the movie Between The Lines. That movie is featured here on this page and the DVD just came out. In the movie is a section about the Memorial Paddle for Vietnam Veteran Surfers. Well, there's an interview in the film with our own Tom Woods and myself. Tom and I traveled out to California in September 2007 and took part in the paddle, that another Vietnam Vet /Surfer -Jerry Anderson put together. To say it was a moving experience, is an understatement. It was unbelievable. The guy behind the whole movie project is Ty Ponder. Ty's is a great guy and he has made himself, one of the most important surf movies of our time. I can't tell you enough of how good it is. And if you have any knowledge of this time period, both in our nation's history, and the history of surfing, you need to get this DVD. Besides I'm it it! Seriously, it is a very well done documentary of this tumultuous time in our lives. John Milius is the Narrator. John Milius did BIG WEDNESDAY and a bunch of other movies including: CONAN the Barbarian with Gerry Lopez. Seriously, click on the Between The Lines ad to order your DVD copy for a fascinating look at Surfing and the Vietnam War.

Last week I wrote about my friend Duffy, and the episode where I blindfolded him to take him to a secret spot. I got quite few comments about it. My dear mother-in-law, asked me why I didn't write about the time, I had Duffy sit in the child's safety seat? I didn't write about that because, I forgot about it. Long story short. Duffy needed a ride somewhere, and my vehicle was full of children's car seats. Because I was new at parenthood, I couldn't (or wouldn't) take the seat out. So...I had Duffy sit in the child's car seat. Aside from hitting his head on the roof, he was plenty safe enough. Another classic surf story? I guess so.

Hey congrats to Jimmy Dunn and Drew Cropper for being nominated for the Boston/New England Emmy award for writing our Father-Son Olympia Sports commercial. Good luck Jimmy and Drew. (See photo below).

Now for some of my weekly Global observances:

I guess we can all agree on the outstanding job our US NAVY SEALS did to the scruffy Somalia Pirates last weekend. Wasn't that fun to watch and hear about? I mean come on people. Clearly no one likes Pirates. We are all on the same page when it comes to these losers. Democrats and Republicans alike were rejoicing in the dispatching of the three little scruffy Pirates who never knew what hit them. Imagine what Capt Phillips witnessed, when those three scrawny ass losers fell back into that lifeboat, with no freaking heads! Oh my God. What I wouldn't have given, to see the look on the surviving Pirate's face, when he found out about his three buddies. Freaking Pirates. Give me a break. Now they are declaring war on the US? Good. Get in line losers. I do know this. If anyone's looking for work in the near future. Might I suggest a career in Maritime Security. If I was 20 years younger and single, I might take up the challenge. Be fun fighting Pirates. And getting paid to do it.

President Obama made a few more heads turn this week, when he shook hands (3 times ) with Chavez from Venezuela. Shaking hands with a guy who called BHO an "Ignoramus" last month and a few months before that, he called Obama a nasty racist remark. And last year he called President Bush Satan? Even that comment pissed off a few Democrats. But Baracky must have thick skin. Because he was not only shaking hands with Chavez, but he was also offering to turn the page on US- Cuba relations with the Castro boys (even though the human rights issues have taken a back seat) and he's extending a sit-down with Iran. Even though Iran is the biggest sponsor of worldwide Terrorism.

Meanwhile, the Homeland Security Council report this week, has labeled all returning Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan as potential Right Wing Extremists/domestic terrorists? And last month, this administration suggested that all wounded Veterans pay for their own medical insurance??? Baracky...what the ???? I've said in the past, that I am supporting the office of the Presidency, but with each passing week, it's getting harder and harder, for me to agree with some of this stuff. Am I alone out here? Could someone please enlighten me. Seriously.

And honestly, I don't care about that freaking dog. Bo-bama. Does that dog hunt?

Speaking of wacky stuff. Did I miss something here? Craig's List is where you go to find Prostitutes? Huh? I thought you bought stuff on that site. I had no idea you could get a massage with a Happy Ending. Now, there's some wack job on the loose who's killing these prostitutes by answering Craig's List Ads. What the hell is going on in this world?


RED SOX are well underway. It's been a so so season so far. The Bruins are 2-0 against Montreal in the Play-Offs. And our beloved World Champions Celtics are struggling without KG. The Bulls beat them yesterday 105-103 in OT. Oh oh.... Celtics need KG and they need him now. But we won't be seeing KG this season. Unless they get past the Bulls.

The word is in about the new look. And by all accounts, it looks like we have a finalized version. Larger thumbnails, with photo galleries on separate pages. You can scroll thru thumbnails or thru the larger pics. It's the Best of Both worlds. Old school and new school. Look for many updates in the weeks to come. The Rules page, the Bio Page, the Classified page, the photog page, the artist page, and finally, I plan on creating a web gallery of all the
Yesterday Photos. I know how popular that particular genre is. Thank you for your input.

T he Weekly FLATBREAD Company Benefit Nights for April 21, 2009
Click here for directions to each Restaurant
Amesbury, MA- April 21, TBA
Portsmouth, NH- April 21, TBA
Portland, ME- April 21, Maine Audoban Society
North Conway, NH- April 21, TBA
Bedford, MA- April 21, TBA
Canton, VT-April 21, TBA

Click here for Lil Miss Molly "STASH FOR CASH" FUND RAISER Events: Dr. Brent Reinheimer, local surfer and Exeter Hospital physician, is leading the charge for the "Stash for Cash." Dr. Brent says, "Anybody that is interested in participating in the "growth" will decide on a facial hair distribution and shave it out next Friday. We will keep it until the NE Regionals (May 15th). We will have the participants submit their "stash" and we will have viewers decide which is the "Most Creative Stash". That person will get a prize. Also, the person who gets the most sponsors, will win a prize as well." This is pretty cool idea and we're sure that we can rally some folks to kick in some insane prizes.

Please stay tuned as we'll offer more info next week.

Don't forget All the shops are STILL collecting cards, gifts, and other provisions for the Rowlee family. PIONEERS , CINNAMON RAINBOWS, BRICKHOUSE, ZAPSTIX and many more shops are drop off points of interest for Miss Molly. Skip Brunette has opened a Little Miss Molly account at the SEACOAST CREDIT
UNION on 887 Lafayette Rd, Hampton NH. (see poster below for info). There are several more fund raisers in the making as well. There's still plenty of things going on for Lil Miss Molly and you can find out most of it on the Ralph's Community Page.
Little Miss Molly Fund Auction

Happy 40th Birthday Chris Shipley!
Happy 30th Birthday Patrick Hall!
Happy Greek Easter and Happy Passover.

Check out the shout out in the NEW ESM magazine about my two latest releases. "GREETING SEASONS" and "Groovemasters" both are in the shops!

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 6 years.

Remember my friends...Surfing heals all wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

Yesterday- 1983 Vince Shazam at Shazamland
(Below) There was a time when this spot was sacred. It was during this time period, a hard place to surf. Not because of the reef, or the swell size. But because of the individuals who surfed and ruled there. Some were respected and admired, and some were not. The big gas bag, with the squeaky voice for instance, was not. He was, and still is, a joke. The baton has since been passed. And it it is more tolerable today than yesterday. But still, this spot, like all breaks, requires respect and knowledge.
Video Frame Grab of old Super 8mm by SFOD

Today Friday April 17th, 2009 At Cementland
(Below) I walked down onto the lowtide sand and snapped this photo. It was the first of many empty waves that came pouring into the beach this morning. Another week, another swell. It was all so good. Click on these waves to see more photos from this fun day.
Photo by RALPH

Today- 2009 The Friday Spring Swell- APRIL 17th, 2009.
*Click On These Images below of the April 17th swell to take you to the NEW Photo Gallery That will Allow you to see either Thumbnails, or Larger images That you can forward or reverse. Click photos.

(Above) This is my friend Tom Woods from Hampton. Tom has been surfing for 46 years. He's featured in the new Movie Between The Lines by Ty Ponder. Check out Tom in the flick by ordering a DVD by clicking the movie poster on the right hand side of this column. Click on this photo to see more photos of Tom from Friday and everyone else who happened to be there. Yea even you! Photo by RALPH Click on the image above.

(Above) Yep there was every conceivable craft out there on Friday. Click photo to see more. Photo by RALPH Click on the image above.

(Above) Chris Shipley turned 40 years old out there. Happy Birthday Chris. Click photo to see more of Chris and others. Photo by RALPH
Click on the image above.

(Above) Patrick Hall was also celebrating a birthday on 4-17-09. Click photo to see more. Photo by RALPH
Click on the image above.

(Above) My man John Carden in a rare photo of him actually surfing. Why is it rare? Because like me, he's always taking pics. Oh by the way, he made this wave. Click photo to see more Carden and others at Cementland on 4-17-09. Photo by RALPH
Click on the image above.

(Above) These are lenticular clouds from winds coming over mountains, 20-40,000 feet
above ground... altocumulus clouds in a lenticular formation. They were absolutely amazing to witness in the water. At one point I looked over at Joe Hurley and pointed. We were all blown away by these things. To see more click on the photo above. Photo by RALPH
Click on the image above.

(Above) Noreen looking like the woman on the cover of the New Surfers Journal. Great photo Johnny. April 17th, 2009 at Cementland. Click on photo to see more.
Photo John Carden
Click on the image above.

(Above) Brian Tabor throwing it up at the lip. April 17th, 2009 at Cementland. Click on photo to see more. Photo John Carden
Click on the image above.

(Above) Nate Schontag was gliding all over the place out there. Really light on his feet Nate was taking these nose rides for long distances. To see more Nate click on this photo.
April 17th, 2009 at Cementland. Click on photo to see more. Photo John Carden
Click on the image above.

Today- 2009 Local New Englanders Snowboarding
*Click Images below for Thumbnails and larger viewing

(Above) This is Brian Nevins. And this (sorry Brian) is a great shot snowboarding shot. Hell yea it is. Click on Brian to see more from this Special Day. April 17th, 2009.
Photo courtesy of Brian Nevins
Click on the image above.

(Above) And this is Mikey Moran. And yes, I'm calling this a GREAT snowboard shot as well. Click on Mikey to see more of this day. 4-17-09. Check that cloud out!.
Photo Brian Nevins
Click on the image above.

(Above) Tony Berardini at Snowbird in Utah on Monday April 13th, 2009. Tony says they scored the best and deepest powder ever! Good on you T.
Photo courtesy of Tony (Mahalo My Brother ) Berardini

RALPH'S VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK BELOW.

RALPH'S VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK.
CLICK ON THE PHOTO IMAGE BELOW FOR SHORT WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP. VIDEO by SFOD R. Fatello

(Above) Click on this image of Vince for VIDEO Clip shot in April of 1983
Video Frame Grab by SFOD

Today- 2009 Local New Englander in Hawaii
the Tropics.*Click photo below for Thumbnails and larger viewing

(Above) There are sunsets. And then, there are sunsets in Hawaii. Local Hampton girl sends us a few sunset shots from the Islands. Photo by Julia Nichols
Click on the image above.

Today- 2009 Master Lensman Bernie Baker Returns with the Gem of all breaks. V-Land.
*Click photo below for Thumbnails and larger viewing

(Above) Can you ride a SUP at V-land? Yes but you better know someone there before you take one out. Look at how green this wave looks. So damn pretty. Click photo to see more.
Photo by Bernie Baker
Click on the Photo above to see more of V-Land.

Today- 2009 Some Good news and Some Sad News
From Jimmy Dunn.

(Above) RIP - MARK "THE BIRD" FIDRYCH
"ONE OF THE NICEST GUYS AND FUNNIEST CHARACTERS I'VE EVER MET. THIS PIC IS FROM A TV SPOT WE DID ON HIS FARM. HE WAS PLANNING A COMEBACK (IT WAS AN APRIL FOOLS GAG) AND I WAS PLAYING HIS FARMHAND/CATCHER "RUSTY".
WE BECAME FRIENDS AND I WOULD SEE HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES A YEAR AT VARIOUS CHARITY EVENTS. HE ALWAYS MADE ME AND EVERYONE AT THE BAR LAUGH. HE WILL BE MISSED. "
words by Jimmy Dunn.

Today 2009 PARTING SHOT- "Hit The Deck!"

(Above) Looks like this guy is taking on small arms fire as he hits the deck. I'm sorry if I know this guy. But damn what would you do if you were me?
Photo by RALPH