Look I'm no Clark Little. (Google Clark Little Hawaii) Not even close.

But, I have for many many years been completely fascinated with the Mini shorebreaks on our coast. I've captured these little known and not very popular worlds on both my video cameras and my still cameras. I admit I prefer the still camera when looking at them later in my studio.

There is something magical about them. This whole world of twists and turns combined with sand and small pebbles, create these (for me any way) cool little liquid worlds that go by unnoticed by most surfers and beach goers.



Getting back inside my studio and looking at these images on my wide screen monitors is a treat that I always look forward to. I know that not all of you enjoy this wild world at your feet. In fact, I have missed some good rides and barrels because I was preoccupied with the Mini shorebreak directly in front of me. I feel terrible that I may have missed someone's good wave, but I am not about to stop shooting these magical moments at the shoreline.

In fact, if it's happening (and it's usually at higher tides) I will set myself up to shoot both the action in the water, and the action at my feet.



I do realize that these images can occur outside with the bigger waves, but they are simply not as dramatic. It's the combination of a steep bank with thousands of grains of sand and small pebbles that add to the finished piece. I guess I can't get over zooming in and looking at every single drop of water and how it's shaped due to the violence of it's demise.

And that end? It's all so abrupt. But that's the beauty of it. It's not as easy as it might appear. I'm talking about the actual photo. Like surfing, you need to know when to pull the trigger.

And when the weather and water gets warmer, you can bet on it that I'll be there with my water camera capturing these fascinating worlds for all to see. Meanwhile, you can look at the gallery that I've posted this week.



These guys above? Yeah they are on a whole other level of tolerance. They do this most Saturdays. Year round. Now before you think this is one of those jump in and out dips, I'm here to tell you, that's not what they do. They completely immerse themselves in the water and spend about 10 to 15 minutes out there. Bobbing up and down. Going under. Diving into the waves and body surfing. They do this without wearing a wetsuit. Oh and the water temp? Yeah, it was around 41 degrees. That's freaking cold!



This is Erik. And as you can clearly see. He's a beast! Ripped from head to toe. Same with his brother Kyle. These guys are onto something. There's typically four of them. Besides the Willett brothers there's Tim Broderick and the missing member of the Human Polar Team is Pat Troy. Apparently Pat was in Florida. Now that's not right. If I were these guys I'd have Pat stay out longer next week. You can't be skating when your boys are committing themselves to the cause.

Though according to Erik, there is no cause per'se. He was telling me that they follow Wim Hoff from Denmark who claims that cold water is good for your vitality.

Wim Hof is a Dutch extreme athlete known as "The Iceman" for his ability to withstand extreme cold, which he attributes to his Wim Hof Method breathing techniques based on Tibetan Tummo meditation but without its religious components. Hof claims that his Tibetan-based breathing method can help with or help alleviate symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, clinical depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, cancer, etc.

I'm not about to join these guys, but they do seem to be of sound mind, and they are all in great shape. So...I don't know, maybe this is something you might be interested in. I just know that "Homey" is not gonna play this game.



Not gonna lie, I stood there for quite some time shooting video and stills of these guys. And I kept thinking "OK boys time to call it a day." But they hung around out there, causing me to get cold standing on the beach. I know about the "mind over matter" theory. And I also know about gray matter. I was told years ago, that cold water kills brain cells. And the lord knows, I've been out in the water on some very cold days since 1964.

I'm sure I've killed a few brain cells along the way.

In fact, I could have been a genius if I didn't surf in the winter. Can you imagine that? Oh well. I think Homer Simpson said it best..."DOH!"


" Surfing and Swimming In The Cold Water Heals All Wounds."

This is one from April of 2013. Hard to believe that's five years ago. I chose this pic because it reminded me of Saturday morning. Same colors and tide. The shoals out the back and it was almost the same size swell. Not sure who this is, but that never mattered to Ed. He shot everyone. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Now for Some Local, National and International News
If you're looking for a good story for a change. Go to Seacoastonline to catch the story on our local boy Kevin Grondin.
Click on the image below to read all about it.



Let's face it, Kevin Grondin is the most successful surfer to ever come out of the Granite State.



Back in the news of the day. Trump and China's President Xi are battling out a potential TRADE WAR as I write this. Not sure that's all gonna play out and neither do any of you. So just sit back and enjoy the show.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Check out this photo of our boy hanging with Facebook Tycoon Zuckerburg on the couch. I have to admit our boy looks good in a V neck sweater. Really brings out the "goat hair" on his chest.



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 "I-phones" at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Karen Evans April 8th, 2018!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Taylor Baxter April 8th, 2018
GET WELL SOON Jon Gozzo!
GET WELL JoEllen Bunton!
REST IN PEACE Erik Somogyi.
REST IN PEACE Charoltte Sullivan.

FYI Lenny Nichols is looking for someone or someones to take
over the ESA-NNE District. Please contact Lenny Nichols by calling his cell (603) 944-2418

THE NEW GRANITE GIRLS poster! Shooting for a May Day premiere and a Summer DVD release.






Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 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

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) Every now and then I'd look north and catch one of these.
Saturday April 7th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) And that was the end of this afternoon session.
Saturday April 7th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



Today- The Morning Of Saturday April 7th, 2018.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Yup. That's a barefoot footprint in the sand.
Saturday April 7th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






(Above) The HUMAN POLAR BEAR Team.
Saturday April 7th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) A nice crisp morning for a swim. Saturday April 7th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) There were moments of beauty out there. But man, it was cold.
Saturday April 7th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) A fan of the Blog gets his One Week of fame.
Saturday April 7th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) As I was leaving this guy caught this wave, and I thought to myself,
"I wonder if it's coming up? " Saturday April 7th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Can you imagine if this was double overhead?
Saturday April 7th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) There were rocks jammed in between the big slabs. I looked at this and I thought it was a large snake or serpent looking back at me. Do you
see it? Saturday April 7th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) He loves to run out there. April 3rd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The things that nature does. April 3rd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







(Above) Kevin Grondin in Puerto Rico. March 28th, 2018.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Grondin
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery