The same storms that killed 44 people last week down south and destroyed 100's of 1,000's of homes gave us surfers waves that will go down in our local surf history as a day that we will not soon forget. I called the day," BIG SUNDAY." In fact, the next day was so good I called it, "Medium Monday". If you were around for either of those days you scored some great surf. There was even good surf on Tuesday. But BIG SUNDAY and MEDIUM MONDAY? They were all time. Days to Remember for sure.

And every spot in New England was breaking. I mean every spot.

And everybody was out. And I do mean everyone. Lots of people getting back into the water after the long winter hibernation. They came out in droves. Shortboarders, Longboarders, kneeboarders, boogie boarders, and the SUPS. They were all out.
Of every imaginable skill level too. From beginners, to the seasoned riders. They were all out. And so were the photographers. Man, I've never seen so many cameras and camcorders. Everyone came out to either surf, shoot, or gawk at the ocean.

Still it's hard not to think about the absolute tragedy that happened down south. Just seeing the fleeting news feeds of homes flattened by these powerful storms was truly heartbreaking. I don't think any of us feel good about it. You know, getting great surf at the cost of human lives and suffering.

But that's what we do. It's what we live for. From Twisters to Easters. We live for em.

If we stopped and thought about it, it might not seem that important in the big picture. I mean surfing. But each Hurricane season we pray for Hurricanes. Even if it means the loss of human lives, and homes destroyed, and dreams shattered forever. We have become numb to that fact. People are fleeing coastlines each Hurricane season, while surfers are heading for the coast. Now it recently became apparent to me, that Tornado Season has become much like Hurricane season.

Case in point. The waves that are building as I write this. They are from the same Tornadoes that ruined entire streets and towns. We are getting the surf from these killer storms. I'm not saying that we stop surfing, or stop paying attention to the pain and suffering. I'm just pointing out the obvious. I guess, I always knew this. I just never mentioned it before. Besides, there's nothing any of us can do about these killer storms. It's not like we can stop them from forming. Hell, scientists have been trying to kill Hurricanes and Tornadoes for years. Thank God they can't.

Can you imagine the horror one day, of some wacked out Scientist discovering a way to kill Hurricanes and Tornadoes? Man that would freak just about every surfer I know out!
Trust me, there was a time when they were trying to disperse these storms. They tried everything. But nothing worked. What would we all do if they came up with something that would actually stop these storms from forming? It would be over.

There's only one being that can do that. As far as I know.

And that brings me to my next subject. Prayers. Maybe our praying for surf is what's causing these things to form and create havoc. Maybe we need to be more specific in our prayers. If we are really praying for surf, we need to do just that.

Pray for surf, without killing people and destroying homes. I don't know. Couldn't hurt.

I think God is raising an eyebrow at me right now and cocking his head. "Wait Ralph, you want me to send you and your friends waves, but you don't want me to create the massive storms that bring you surf?"

" That does sound silly Lord. I know. But maybe if you just created ocean storms only?"

I can see God now rolling his eyes. "Look you surfers want surf no matter. It takes a lot of my energy to make surf. It's not like I push the surf button, and bam! There's surf! It takes a lot of time and energy. People and homes are going to die. That's the price for surf. You either want it or you don't. Now what's it gonna be? I'm busy, it's Easter!"

"I guess we'll keep it as it is Lord...except..."

"Except what?"

"Can you only make these storms during the week? The weekend crowds are killing us! I mean it's brutal out there!"

"GET OUT OF MY PRAYER ROOM RALPH! I HAVE BIGGER PRAYERS TO ANSWER!"

"Yes Lord sorry...and oh Thank you for the surf, and God Bless...I believe Lord...
... I believe...he has risen...Happy Easter"

"Surfing Heals All Wounds."

Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
This coming Friday April 29, 2011 will mark two significant events. The first and most popular is the Royal Wedding. And look, I've joked about this in the past, but honestly I wish them to have a loving and memorable wedding day and a long lasting nurturing marriage. I really do. And I think most people do. This Royalty thing is important to many around the world. It's like a true life Fairy Tale. So I'm OK with that. It's not my cup of tea (pun intended), but I can certainly see the good in all of it.

The second event and not so popular is the anniversary of the last American killed in Vietnam. April 29th 1975, A Cpl Charles McMahon USMC from Woburn, MA was one of two Marines killed that last day. I remember the news. Watching the embassy fall. The choppers taking off from the roof of the embassy in Saigon and landing on the ships off the coast. And hearing about those two Marines. One so close to home.

I felt sick to my stomach. All those lives. And all the lives that would be lost in the months and years that followed that day. From the exodus of the Boat People, to the Killing Fields of Cambodia. And the thousands who died and were tortured in the RE-EDUCATION Camps. Oh how America had turned a blind eye to all of that tragic and wasteful aftermath. We washed our hands clean from Vietnam on that day. But the dirt remained. And it is still there. You can't wash away the truth.

April 29th, 1975. The Last day of that long War. Rest In Peace to all who passed there.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE RUN REDUX IS OUT! Pick one up in the shops or email me and order one directly or go to www.surffreeordie.com

A SPECAIL CONGRATULATIONS to John "Duffy" McCarthy and his wife Jen on the birth of their child Connor "Allen" McCarthy on April 20th, 2011!
Mom and baby are doing fine.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jeff Schneier 53 April 28th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sam Hammer Saturday April 30th!
GO BRUINS! GO CELTICS!
Rest in Peace Tony Cagnina Blues Harp Player from Beverly MA. Cancer.
Rest In Peace Tim Hetherington Oscar nominated Photographer for his work with Sebastian Junger for RESTREPO. Killed by a RPG round in Libya covering the war
with the Rebels.

Don't forget to Check the DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click
On the Banner on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDS July 26, 2011. A Wave
a day for 365 consecutive days. Just click on the banner ads on this page.

CHECK OUT THE NEW/Old YESTERDAY PAGE! ALL OLD New England and
beyond Surf Pics! *NEW PICS added each week!

*Check out the NEW updated DROPPING IN ON RALPH blog Section.
ALL of December, January, and February will be up soon . The DROPPING IN ON
RALPH section will be up to DATE as soon as I can find the time to do it. There's just so much a man can do in a single day. But I do want to update that page, as it is entertaining to say the least. Because there's some great letters from you guys from all over the world. (And a few hurtful ones too). But check it out.

*This is the blog section of this website where you can write in and comment. The only downside of this blog is, you actually have to use your REAL Name. No hiding behind some fake handle and name. If you want to comment, you have to man up, and be yourself. I will post all comments, both good and bad. You just have to be yourself.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week
every week for the last 8 years. **Think about BUYING a Photo from any of the weeks
on RPOTW as a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer!

Remember my friends...Surfing Heals All Wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

Today- April 17th, 2011 BIG SUNDAY- RALPH'S Pics...
Photos By RALPH

(Above) Andrew Kellar on the Big Red Gun. BIG SUNDAY. April 17, 2011.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.

(Above) This is Sashi's 2nd trip to Tavarua. Judging by this Cloudbreak photo he has
not skipped a beat. Photo by Tom Servais
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.

The day before, some 44 people died in violent Tornadoes sweeping up through and across the south and the midwestern states. Devastation and horror followed by heartbreaking stories.

That same system came here to New England.

The wind went East/Northeast and blew hard. The next day, the swell had arrived, and the wind came around out of the West. Then the sun came out.

What happened next is the stuff that dreams are made of. For some, it was the stuff of nightmares. Suffice it to say, the surf was big. But we're talking big for these parts. Was it the biggest ever? No. But it was significant.

I shot for about 3-5 hours total. I saw some good rides, and some horrific wipeouts. But that's surfing.

Later, it glassed off, and the moon rose up out of the ocean and it was a beautiful ending to a very impressive day here on the Northern New England seacoast.

I chose Jimi again for the music...it seems to fit.

Hope you enjoy BIG SUNDAY.

Ralph

Click above graphic for Daily BLOG or to DONATE to the Fundraiser.

(Above) Ryan Denning sent in some of his stills and a video clip this week. Expect to see more of Ryan's cool work in the near future. Monday April 18th, 2011
Photo by Ryan Denning *Click on the photo above to see the Readers Gallery