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August 23rd, 2009 The Lil Miss Molly Memorial Paddle and Party & Hurricane BILL KILL comes to town...(that's 26 out of 27 weeks of waves).
And the "Pink" background is for Molly.

I'm sorry this is late, but the truth is, I am exhausted. It was a jam filled weekend of two major significant events. Molly's Paddle on Saturday, and Hurricane BILL on Sunday. I typically get the column done by late Saturday, but these two events just pushed me back over the brink. In fact, I have not slept a wink since Saturday at 4:45AM. I was hoping to slip out and catch a few waves this morning, but it does not look very favorable. Oh there's still surf, it's just that I am beat. But I am not complaining. And if you were around this weekend up here, you would feel the same. Starting with the Memorial Paddle For Lil Miss Molly on Saturday morning.

I need to back up a bit. About a week before the paddle, I was on the phone with Stevie O'Hara from Pioneers. We were talking about the need to have flowers for the Lil Miss Molly Memorial Paddle. If you're not familiar with the Surfer's Paddle, we typically have flowers arranged on the beach, where each surfer takes a flower to paddle out with. Once we are outside in the line-up, we say a few words and then we all toss the flowers into the air, and hoot the person we are honoring.

"How many flowers do you think we need?" Stevie asked. "I don't know, maybe a hundred. Maybe a little more. It all depends on how many surfers show up." I answered. Then we both wondered aloud. "How many surfers would actually show up?" There is after all, a giant storm sitting off the coast. HURRICANE BILL. We both thought that there would be about 50 to a hundred Surfers.

But we were wrong. Dead wrong. There were in my conservative estimate, approximately 400-500 people on the beach. And there were at least 250-300 surfers who paddled out. It was, in a single word, "Magical". Yes we cried. Yes we hugged each other. And yes, we mourned and continue to grieve for the family and friends of Lil Miss Molly Rowlee. But something else happened.

A spirit of good will and positive feelings, poured out of our very souls, as if spawned from the heavens above. It was as if, Angels came down, and parted the fog, and calmed the winds, and made the sun rise and created a beacon of hope and love.

Because my friends, the night before the Paddle, the rains poured, and the skies lit up with lightening and thunder, and then opened up with torrential downpours. No one knew what the morning was to bring. It could go either way. And, if that were not sketchy enough, the Hurricane, that has been hyped to end all storms, Hurricane BILL, was churning up the coast. We were in for some big surf and it was starting on Saturday. There were other factors in play. Was it some kind of divine intervention? Was it Angels assisting us? Was it a sign from Molly? I don't know for sure. I do know what I believe, and I have shared those beliefs with others. I believe there is something else going on around us, that is bigger and more beautiful than any of us can imagine. So does Molly have a hand in any of it? Absolutely. It's all part of the big picture, that we are not aware of. But Molly is.

If any of you were here on Saturday, you know what I'm talking about. It was Magical.

And I have to say, that I've never been more proud of our "tribe" than I was on Saturday. We all collectively, portrayed our Tribe of Surfers as caring, thoughtful, community oriented, loving friends and neighbors. The stereo type image of surfers, that may, or may not exist, was washed away with the paddle and service for Molly. I know that many of Buck and Meighan's family were so touched by the service, that it just reaffirmed my connection with you all. So on behalf of the Rowlee family and all the close knit friends in that circle, we thank you again, for being part of that special day for that little girl who truly filled our hearts, with faith, hope and love,

As the day came to a close, other things were happening. Yes I'm talking about BILL.

Now, you'd have to be a hermit not to know about the surf that was forecasted for Sunday. Because the Lord knows, that everyone and their brother, was up here trying to get a look at the surf. In all the years I've been around these parts, I don't believe I have ever seen anything quite like the traffic jam of ocean gawkers, the likes of which we all saw on Saturday. It was nuts. It took hours to go from one surf destination to the next. What would normally only take a few minutes, were now taking hours. Seriously. And there were a few short tempers as well. Yes, it was testy driving conditions to say the least.

But the surf? Oh man, the surf was insane. I mean it was as good as they said it would be. In fact, it was better. It was breaking everywhere. I'm sure all of your favorite breaks were firing on all cylinders.

And if the surf was not great enough, the air temps were almost tropical feeling, and the water temp was more than seasonal. It was great all around. I'm sure there were a few testy moments in the water. Lord knows that these storms spawn all kinds "Surf Riders". I saw it all. SUPB'rs, Kayakkers, knee boarders, body boarders, body surfers, shortboards, longboards, and sailboards. They were all out and sharing BILL. There were a few near casualties too. But thankfully no one was seriously hurt, or worse. There were a few bruised egos and some hurt feelings. (No why do some people have to be so hurtful?). Beats me. But sometimes it's funny.

I would like to go on about the surf from BILL KILL and about Molly's paddle, but my friends I am without sleep. I need to rest. And you know the old saying...a picture is worth a thousand words. And let's face it, it's not called Ralph's Pic Of The Week For Nothing. So I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story this week. Lil Ralphie needs some shut eye besides, I think I hear the surf...could it still be around? Oh before I forget, I think I'm gonna make a short movie and call it BILL KILL or Hurricane Bill and Lil Miss Molly. I do know that I have enough footage to make a fun little movie. Hell, I've got some real good footage from this storm. Thank You Molly. Thank You Bill.

This coming Friday August 28th is the Wounded Warriors HIT THE BEACH II. For those who saw last year's inaugural kick off, this is inspiration with a Capital. "I". To witness Veterans who were wounded in combat come to our beaches and learn how to surf is something that you will never ever forget. Trust me. It's that good. This coming Friday August 28th from 9AM to 3PM at 10th Street, North Beach (Wall) in Hampton . This is one of those events that if everything goes as planned, it will be both memorable to you, as well as the Veterans who try surfing.

See your smiling faces on Friday August 28th. The Wounded Warriors HIT THE BEACH II. All at the Wall between 10th street and 8th Street.

Now for some of my weekly Global observances:

Someone please tell me, why the Scottish Government released that asshole Terrorist Al-Megrahi who was responsible for the Pam Am 103 Lockerbie Bombing that killed dozens of Americans, including many innocent civilians. Both on the plane, and on the ground. He is freed from prison? And then, he was treated to a heroes welcome in Libya? Huh? I was sickened by that news. Seeing him treated like he was some kind of national hero. Just awful. Terrible. A total injustice to the families. Freaking Gadhafi...Call me old school. But if I were running that prison where this scumbag was being held, he would never see the light of day. I don't care how sick he is. He should die in a cold, damp cell, with the souls of all of those he killed, haunting him forever.

Speaking of scumbags. I see where the Taliban in Pakistan have named a new successor. Let's hope there's an unmanned drone with his name on it, circling over his cave or mudhut. And speaking of the Taliban. Those backwards thinking Taliban, tried to disrupt the election last weekin Afghanistan. Nice try dickheads...it didn't work.

So much for the CASH For Clunkers program. That stimulus plan ran out of money. The allotted $750 billion is Gone. Depleted. Not too mention, that a lot of the dealers, were being refused by the govt. to recoup that pay-off. And did anyone see that the new National deficit was now into the Two Trillion mark as of last Friday? How's that working out?

So how about them SOX? Huh? First they get spanked by the Yankees and then they spank the Yankees. Sports is crazy. Speaking of crazy, I rushed home last Thursday to see the Pats play and I missed them again. I guess I didn't miss much. It's OK, I'm not ever gonna become a crazed fan again. No sirree bobbeee. I will spend my time stressing about other things that are more important than some sports team. Unless of course, they are on course to be undefeated. Wait did I just write that down? I need some sleep. See you all Friday.

Happy Birthday Veda Day Cropper August 23rd!
Happy Birthday Brian Taber August 23rd!
Happy Birthday Kai Nichols August 24th!
Happy Birthday Duke Kahanamoku August 24th!
Happy Birthday John Fatello August 25th!
Happy Birthday Remy Radkay turning Sweet 16 August 26th!

PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE FOR BEST SURFER PHOTO of The Year. We have two local Surf Photographers who are in the running out of the 27 world reknown Surf Photographers. Brian Nevins and Nick LaVecchia. To cast your vote click on this link it only takes a couple of minutes. SURF PHOTO OF THE YEAR.

The NH Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation had the largest volunteer beach cleanup crew with approximately 40 beach cleaners who picked up 215 pounds of trash on Saturday, 08/01/2009. Here's a link to the report on the NH Surfrider August beach cleanup. (The surfboard raffle was won by a woman who lives in Portsmouth).
http://surfridernewhampshire.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/summer-beach-cleanups-a-great-success/

PLEASE HELP THE NH SURFRIDER FOUNDATION.

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- 1974 Young Doc Grondin
(Below) This is a video frame grab from that footage that I've been posting the last couple of weeks. I have so many new pics of Kevin this week, I wanted you to see the progression and where he has come from. Including his unique style. It's still evident today. Kevin can still surf better than most people half his age.
Video Frame Grab courtesy of RALPH

Today- 2009 Sunday August 23rd Hurricane Bill
or BILL KILL
The photos Of The Swell of the Year. First Gallery is John Carden's. Enjoy.
Photos by John Carden

(Above) Old Doc Grondin...still killing it. Click on image to see the gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By John Carden Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Billy Ritchie facing BILL the Hurricane .... Click on image to see the gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By John Carden Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Adam Coates committed to BILL. Click on image to see the gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By John Carden Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Brian Taber's birthday was Sunday. talk about Great B-day gifts! Click on image to see the gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By John Carden
Click on the image above to see more.

Today 2009- BILL KILL Continues with Ed O'Connell's Pics Sunday August 23rd, 2009

(Above) Unknown at the bottom of a Big BILL Wave.To see more click on the Photo.
Click on image to see gallery. August 23rd, 2009
Photo By Ed O'Connell Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Mike Stanek racing the section. Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo.
Click on image to see gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By Ed O'Connell
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Ross Kunkel in the slot. Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo.
Click on image to see gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By Ed O'Connell
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Unknown arcing off the face.Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo.
Click on image to see gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By Ed O'Connell
Click on the image above to see more.

Today 2009- Hurricane BILL KILL's RALPH Gallery
Sunday August 23rd, 2009

(Above) Unknown off the bottom of a wave that is easily double overhead. Maybe more.
Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo. Click on image to see gallery.
August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Kevin Grondin tucked away for all not to see. Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo. Click on image to see gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Mackey V jammin Hurricane BILL. He made this. To see more click on the Photo.
Click on image to see gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Quentins Reef reeling. Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo.
Click on image to see gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Adam Coates off the bottom of a wave that again is easily double overhead. Maybe more.
Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo. Click on image to see gallery.
August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Billy Ritchie in the barrel. Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo.
Click on image to see gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Duffy McCarthy dropping down and into a inside track screamer. Hurricane BILL .
To see more click on the Photo. Click on image to see gallery.
August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Doctor D off the bottom of an overhead wave. that is easily double overhead. Maybe more.
Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo. Click on image to see gallery.
August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Unknown nice bottom turn.Hurricane BILL .To see more click on the Photo.
Click on image to see gallery. August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Unknowns standing next to the abyss at "Crunchy Mammas.Hurricane BILL .
To see more click on the Photo. Click on image to see gallery.
August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH Click on the image above to see more.

RALPH'S VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK BELOW.

RALPH'S VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK CLICK ON THE PHOTO IMAGE BELOW
FOR a YOUTUBE or SHORT WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP. Hurricane BILL Footage

(Above) Click on this image For the YouTube Video of Mackey V surfing Hurricane BILL in New Hammy. Shot Sunday August 23rd, 2009. Video By RALPH SFOD. Music By QWILLr

(Above) Click on this image of MVF at Quentins Reef. Shot Sunday August 23rd, 2009.
Video By RALPH SFOD. Music By QWILL

Today 2009- The BLATANT DROP IN of The Week. 8-23-09
Oh oh this can't be good...

(Above) This is a Kayakker meeting up with Lenny. DON'T Drop IN. Please. Whether you stand, sit, or lie down. Open yer eyes out there. Click on the image above to see more.
Photos By Ed O'Connell

Today 2009- Hurricane Bill Photos From The Readers (like you)

(Above) This is Colin Somogie surfing Hurricane BILL in New England.
To see more, click on Photo Photo by Patrick Losik.

(Above) More BILL photos. Click on Photo Click image to see gallery. Photo by Eric Moore

More BILL shots. Click on Photo Click image to see gallery. Photo by Gabe Davis

Today 2009- Lil Miss Molly Paddle Party Saturday 8-22-09

(Above) The Sunrise For Molly's Paddle First thing I saw that morning.
Such a beautful day for a beautiful Lil Girl.
Click on image to see my gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By RALPH
Click on the image above to see more.

Below is a special Note From Buck Rowlee.

Mahalo. Much love and many thanks to all of you that participated in Molly's paddle on Saturday morning. Molly's Bash and paddle-out was the most spiritual event that I have ever experienced, and I there will not be a day that passes that I won't remember that day for the rest of my life. Meighan and I are beyond being grateful to all of you that showed up in order to help us pay tribute to our little girl. It was an amazing day - simply amazing.

I am sure that all of you scored some waves over the past several days. I got some bombs yesterday, took a good thrashing on a few, and it was good to experience the power of the ocean as it's been a long time since I was humbled by the intensity of our waves. This morning I scored a session at my spot, and while I was driving home the emotion of Molly's Bash on Saturday began to settle. I thought of Molly, and the hundreds of people that made the time to help us celebrate her life, and I was instantly humbled by the power of this community and I began to cry. I wasn't crying because Molly is no longer alive - I was crying because I feel so blessed that Meg and I have received so much love and support from this community. Our little community is much more powerful than the set waves that we saw on Sunday. I am fortunate to be able to live close to the ocean, that Meg and I can raise our son at the beach, and I can promise you that each day I will continue to be humbled by the love that this community has not only shown Molly but to Meighan, Kieran, and I as well. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your tears and hugs. Thank you for the overwhelming support. Molly's legacy will continue to live just as our love for this wonderful community will continue to grow.

See ya'll in the water!

Aloha!

Buck

(Above) Molly's Mom and Brother Kieran
Click on image to see gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By RALPH
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Buck's hand and lei. To see more of Brian's mazing photos click the photo
Click on image to see Nevins gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By Brian Nevins
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) So beautiful and spiritual. To see more of Brian Nevin's photos click the photo
Click on image to see Brian's gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By Brian Nevins
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) The whole surf community came out. To see more of Ed O'Connell's photos click
the photo. Click on image to see Ed's gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By Ed O'Connell
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Hundreds of surfboards and surfers. To see more of Ed O'Connell's photos click
the photo. Click on image to see Ed's gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By Ed O'Connell
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) We all hooted Molly and tossed the flowers in the air. To see more of Ed O'Connell's photos click the photo. Click on image to see Ed's gallery. August 22nd, 2009
Photo By Ed O'Connell
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Buck speaks to the community. Click on image to see the gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By John Carden Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) The surf community calls out to Lil Miss Molly. Click on image to see the gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By John Carden Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) The Party was hopping. QWILL sat in with Todo Bien. KingsHighway played,
and Big Handsome Daddy too. It was great. We even sang the Lil Miss Molly Song.
Click on image to see my gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By RALPH
Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) The kids were dancing...incluidng Lil Birthday Girl Veda Day. Happy Birthday
Veda. Click on image to see my gallery. August 22nd, 2009 Photo By RALPH
Click on the image above to see more.

Stevie, Buck and Skip-Friends and brothers Forever.

Meighan and Kieran Saturday, August 22, 2009

(Above) Brian Nevin's HURRICANE BILL'S pics..Coming NEXT week! August 29th 2009
Photo By Brian Nevins

(Above) Billy Ritchie and BILL KILL coming Next Week. MORE INSANE .Hurricane BILL .
August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH

(Above) Duffy almost got killed by BILL KILL. See more of Dufff and his battle back.
All coming Next Week. MORE INSANE .Hurricane BILL .
August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH

(Above) Best Hurricane since Gabrielle. More coming Next Week. MORE INSANE .
Hurricane BILL .August 23rd, 2009 Photo By RALPH

Due to Hurricane BILL Erik Larochelle's gallery is being pushed back a week. COMING NEXT WEEK! More Local Boy Gone Aussie Gone Mentawais Madman Erik "Zippy" LaRochelle's INSANE Surf Trip!

Click on The Big Bad Shark to see more from Dean Svastano and Jon Gozzo's Blue Fin

Today 2009 PARTING SHOT- "BILL-ified"

(Above) Hey look Pete...you made the blog . Photo by RALPH

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