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

HAPPY EASTER. HAPPY PASSOVER.
EASTERN SURF MAGAZINE DOES A
RALPH'S PIC WINTER GALLERY!



FROM GOOD FRIDAY...



...TO EASTER MORNING.

I woke before sunrise today. Easter Sunday. A day that the entire Global Christian religion is based on. I was born and raised a Roman Catholic. However, I am not a practicing Catholic. I used to be when I was younger. And when we were first married, and had kids, we were church going Catholics. Every Sunday we went to church. We hauled the three of them off to church every week. And then the church sex scandal happened, and we hit the brakes on the going to mass every Sunday. Our faith was clearly shaken, but not entirely. I still believed in the big picture, but the church had some explaining to do as far as we were concerned. So while I still believed, I now refer to myself as a “Cafeteria Catholic”. You know, as you’re going through the line “I’ll have some of that, and a little of those, but I definitely don’t want any of that. No thank you.”

So back to my Catholic upbringing, and where I am today.

First and foremost, I believe in Jesus Christ. There is documented proof that he existed. And for that fact, alone, you have to believe that he walked this earth and did what they say he did. I believe in his miraculous birth, and I believe in his even more miraculous resurrection. If you don’t believe in the resurrection, then you don’t believe in any of it.

The entire Catholic and Christian religion is based on the resurrection.

There have been some ex Catholics spewing forth all kinds of negative poison on social media. Especially about this day. The resurrection. And look, I know that if you were to look at the resurrection as some kind of a crime scene by today’s standards, it would be a head scratcher for sure. Knowing what we know about technology and forensics, it would be a hard case to solve for even the best crime solvers out there.

The case of the Missing Christ.
There was an execution. There was a burial in a tomb, that had a large boulder placed at the entrance, that was moved by 2-3 strong Roman soldiers. Then on the 3rd day, the boulder was moved and the body of Christ was gone. Today’s sleuths and detectives would have a number of scenarios to look at. And the forensic trail? Well, that would be looked over with a fine tooth comb. But, we are talking about Biblical times.

There was none of what is available today back then. The resurrection is based on eye witness accounts. The spoken word. Truth and honesty. And of course, the many gospels that were written about Christ, some 40 years after his death. In short, the Gospel Truth.    

Faith, hope, and love is something very tangible in our home. We have it and we live by it.

So on this Easter Sunday (and Passover), have a Blessed day and be thankful for what you have. And for those who believe that Christ died for your sins, and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the father. Know that this day is an affirmation of what is yet to come for you all.

And for those of you with little to no faith, enjoy this day as well. For all the children who believe in the Easter Bunny, have a wonderful chocolate filled day of fun and games, and lots of food and sweets. Happy Easter!

I've been feeling pretty blessed these last few months. From the CHRONICLE Piece to the Manchester Club speaking engagement, to the playing the Asa Brebner show to this. ESM has once again reached out to have me submit a bunch of my pics and video from this past winter. December 20-2022 to March 20th 2023. Mez always loved the COLD COAST title of my 2014 movie I made so he ran with it on this latest feature.

I've known Mez since the early days. Before the EASTERN SURF MAGAZINE run. He used to work at SURFER Magazine. And he is in my humble and honest opinion one of the BEST surf photographers on the planet.
I mean his work even today is some of the crispest and action filled as it gets. Mez knows the East Coast better than anyone. He and Tom Dugan ran the ESM publication for over 20 years. They covered the East Coast better than anyone. In fact, those two put the East Coast on the Map. Think about it. They were there when a young surfer from Florida started to make some waves in the surf scene. That someone? Kelly Slater. They were posting pics of Slater long before the rest of the world caught on to his greatness.

Click on the image below to check out my gallery on ESM.

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 APRIL 9th, 2023



The original caption I wrote says that this might be Mikey D. It could very well be Mikey D. But I have no idea who Mikey D is.
So if you recognize him, please let him know. Thanks.
This pic was shot on April 6th, 2008. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

THIS JUST IN. LOCAL SEACOAST TEEN TYLER NEWCOMB AGE 13 IS HAVING A FUND RAISER TO HELP THOSE WITH PROSTHETIC LEGS .



From Erica Nardone:

"Tyler is local 8th grader in North Hampton. This started as an Extended Learning Opportunity at school. He really wanted to teach a kid with a prosthetic to skateboard. His idea has grown and now he is determined to try to raise money to help kids that need prosthetics (with an emphasis on being hands on and helping them skate etc). He is also trying to raise money to bring a speaker to school who is an amputee.

I love that this is all him. He has taken an idea and is absolutely determined to follow it through and make it happen. I thought you might appreciate what he is trying to do. I think of how both Surfing With Smiles and Wounded Warriors started with someone with an idea and the passion to make it happen.

This kid is only 13. At this point it is 100 percent him putting in the work. I'm just trying to support him!"



If Erica Nardone is supporting this kid? That's all the recommendation I need to know. If you can help out, please
click on the images above or scan this image.
Thank you.

GO GOOFY FOOTS!

And how about this? One of the pics that Mez chose for the winter piece by yours truly was this one. I shot this on Christmas Eve morning. 12-24-23. And unbeknown to me and Mez, he was shooting almost the same scene some 1200 miles away. Check it out.



What are the chances? Both have sea smoke and both have that one surfer sitting out in the line-up. Granted it was a tad colder in NH than it was in Florida. But honestly? Sea-smoke in Florida? I never thought it would get that cold down there. But lo and behold here's proof. Here's a little blurb that Mez sent me below.

I'd say it was pretty cool Mez and that this was clearly a first.

PLEASE HELP THIS EAST COAST LEGEND

Click on the image above to help out Dean Randazzo. Thank you.




Some newspapers I bought last week for my scrap book.



We all better hope that these two don't kiss and make up. Because they will crush the Biden Harris ticket. Call it a lose lose situation.

This is a pic I shot of myself eating Orange Cheezits while watching the Orange man as he was being arraigned last week in NYC.

The NEW HAMPSHIRE SURF DOCUMENTARY.
A documentary that has been 59 years in the making. Hear from Local Legends Surfers from all over New England talk about New Hampshire. Coming the Summer of 2023

“SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

I've been waiting to post this for the last two weeks. I mean, this so true and uncomfortably hilarious. You KNOW this is exactly what would happen if this happened today. I love the couple taking a selfie with the Titanic sunk today. Oh brother help us all.

The BOSTON BRUINS are on the cusp of making NHL History!



They have tied an NHL record with the most season wins (61) and could take that title starting tonight at 6PM against the Flyers.
I'll be tuning in for sure. They have 3 more chances this week.
The last game of the regular season is against the Montreal Canadians. Oh man, that is going to be a great game to watch.

BACK TO THE MOON AFTER 50 YEARS!



NASA names Astronauts to next Moon Mission, First Crew Under Artemis. Left to right: Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman (seated) Victor Glover, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.




There was a lot of orange this week. I mean, starting with the Astronauts in their orange suits, and then the possibility of 45 being dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit. You know, the kind they wear in the Big House. Then I thought, if Putin gets arrested and 45 gets convicted? They could (in a wacky world) end up in the same cell block as our boy Khaliddy. And while it's not for me, I've heard that lots of men end up having sex in prison. You know, when in Rome...anyway, it looks like KSM is caught between a rock and a hard place here. If they do end up in the same cell, I hope they all get along. And they use condoms. God forbid, one of them ends up getting pregnant.



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 case of TROJANS at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY David Robinson April 2nd, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Don Rose April 2nd, 2023!
HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY Malia Rizzo April 8th, 2023!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mike Keefe April 9th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Duffy McCarthy April 9th, 2023!
GET WELL SOON Tracey Drane wife of Dustin Devlin.
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Heal quickly Gary Ritchie who's going through PT for a messed up shoulder.
Please keep LOCAL LEGEND Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
Please Keep local surfer Bill M. in your thoughts and prayers.

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. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

CHECKING THE SURF IN 1975 IN A 1970 VW BUG.
That's Ron Freeman sitting in the passenger side of the Bug checking the surf. This cool VW bug belongs to Jerry Law. He told me that he paid $2000 in cash for it in 1979 and that he bought it brand new. It's funny, my first car back from Vietnam was a 1970 used VW Bug. I ended up crashing it into a tree during a snow storm. Photo by Jerry Law

*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- THE ESM RPOTW WINTER GALLERY
April 6th, 2023 Photos by RALPH



(Above) This was one from last month.
April 6th, 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) This is Rick Evans. Rick was my January Local Legend.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This was my favorite pic (that I shot) of the winter.
April 6th, 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) This is Mike Stanek in a February snow squall.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is Max and Kevin heading out for a winter snow sesh.
April 6th, 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.

DIPG THE CURE STARTS NOW
To learn more about Evan and his journey click here  https://thecurestartsnow.org/sup.../view-heroes/evan-austin/

(Above) This is Matt Colby sometime in February.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Mackey V slapping the coping in January.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This was my human interest angle. Ian and James talking shop.
April 6th, 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) This? What can I say? I'm still a juvenile. Besides I've been surfing here since the 60's and nobody calls it Bass Beach.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This was another one from last month. FIVE -O's.
April 6th, 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) This is Ian Dreher in January.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) And speaking of Legends. Dave "CROP" Cropper.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is Kody Grondin. Kody is a true purebred Barrel Hound.
April 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) This is a Bowling barrel bowl.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is Colby on the first one of an insane set. I counted 13 lines.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is another shot of Kody Grondin at Deadman's Curve.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Matt Colby speeding past Humpback Rock. Many a
board was lost here. April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*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) This is a true Dream wave set up. February 8th, 2023.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This was one of the most special of all of the pics in that gallery. Why? Max is riding my old board from 1979. My Black VINNY Twin Fin.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- THE PAM GEIGER GALLERY
April 2nd, 2023 Photos by Pam Geiger



(Above) Nice looking left for this longboarder.
Sunday April 2nd, 2023. Photo by Pam Geiger
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This looks like the same longboarder.
Sunday April 2nd, 2023. Photo by Pam Geiger
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The first fun sized swell of April.
Sunday April 2nd, 2023. Photo by Pam Geiger
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) It was windy but still plenty of fun.
Sunday April 2nd, 2023. Photo by Pam Geiger
*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

Today- THE APRIL FOOLS SWELL
April 1st, 2023 Photos by KD SURFPICS

(Above) Crow Dog getting some mini AIRs on the Day Of Fools.
April 1st, 2023. Photo by KD SURFPICS
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Looks like it glassed off. Crowley Gentile ain't no fool.
He was all over it. April 1st, 2023. Photo by KD SURFPICS
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Crowley Gentile scraping the roof on the Day Of Fools.
April 1st, 2023. Photo by KD SURFPICS
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Jack Madden little inside chop hop.
April 1st, 2023. Photo by KD SURFPICS
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- THE SPRING PICS ON THE SEACOAST
April 6th-7th, 2023 Photos by RALPH

(Above) Jack Madden hip hopping his way like a wild Easter Bunny.
April 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) A scene from my backyard. April 7th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Wild flowers. April 7th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

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.

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

(Above) Stephen Avola from last Sunday April 2nd, 2023.
Photo KD SURF PICS
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Mike Rosa somewhere down south. Enjoying the waves, but not the parking accommodations. March, 2023. Photo Laura Rosa
*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 # 720 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 Warren Bolster
*Click on the photo above to see the outcome

This is what happens if you are found GUILTY. You become invisible.

Click on this image above to buy this book
and more cool KING'S X merchandise and music

I see a bump midweek.

I picked Thursday as the best of the week 4-13-23

APRIL 9th, 2023

"HEY GUYS, I'M NOT GONNA GO ON THIS ONE. SO, FEEL FREE TO PADDLE INTO THIS WAVE. I'M JUST GONNA CLEAN THE CRAP OUT
OF MY WETSUIT."

(ABOVE) Not in a million years. Photo by Uncle Google



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