Have you been paying attention to the Surf this last week? Oh My God.
Big wave spot,
MAVERICKS in Northern California was firing on all cylinders. Some were calling it the biggest and the best MAVS ever. That's a pretty significant statement for this place. The biggest and best MAVS? That's gotta be worth the risk for both the riders and the spectators, not to mention those who document these big swells.
West Coast photographer/journalist/surfer Jeff Chamberlain and his longtime friend and fellow adventurer Doug Hendry threw themselves into this wild west mix, as they ferried a couple of young Big wave Chargers into the arena that is MAVERICKS, and they came back with some pretty impressive shots of this legendary Big wave spot. Boy did they ever. In all the years I've been getting pics from photogs from all over the world, these are by far, the BIGGEST I've ever seen. That's saying a lot.
As I was going through the many pics he sent in, I couldn't help but notice the strange, but eerily similar
connection, between those shooting the action at MAVS, and those who shoot the action in war. Combat photographers put themselves in harms way all the time to "get the shot." The guys shooting MAVS were playing with fire out there. Don't get me wrong, the chances of getting killed are far better in war than they are out in the deep channel at MAVS, but there is still that inherent risk that they all put themselves into to get these death defying shots.
It takes extreme photographers to get extreme sports photos.
And when you look at some of Jeff's shots, you will see what I'm talking about.
This whole Big wave scene is on a totally different scale than what 90% of the rest of the surf world deals with. I for one have said a hundred times, if I've said it once. I am NOT a Big wave surfer. I have been out in Big waves, but I am NOT a Big wave surfer. I have ZERO desire to want to scratch over some behemoth wall of water, and drop down into the pits of certain death (for me anyway). As Homey says "homey don't play that game."
There are currently three BIG Wave spots on the planet that attract the crowds and the spectators. JAWS on Maui. CHOPES in Tahiti. MAVS in Northern California. All three of those spots, I'd love to sit and watch, and even shoot some video from a safe distance.
I would pass on all three, if I was invited to sit in a boat,
in the channel. Nope.
With my luck, one of those Giant sets would swing too wide and Homey would be
eating shit as well as my cameras. No thank you. I'd sit on the cliffs and shoot. Though it's too far to see from land at Chopes. I know you've all seen the footage of boats jockeying for position in the channel, trying to get the ultimate angle and shot. There have been many cases where the boats get caught by the sets and well...there goes your 4K camera and all the gear you brought with you.
Looking at Jeff's photos, it was insane to see how many boats and jet skis there were out there. It was literally bumper to bumper traffic. It's not unlike the 405. Don't know what it is with the California,
but I do know they are notorious for traffic. And the traffic out in the Channel at MAVS? Yeah, it was pretty damn thick.
Ironically, for all the hype on COVID that they are currently experiencing, I did not see a single mask on any boat, or on any jet ski. I'm not saying there weren't any. I'm just saying that from what I could tell, there was very little in the wearing of masks. I know that crowded lineup didn't have any. And as far as social distancing? I did not see much of that going on either. So...this is where I say, "whatever." It was in a word, "Hypocritical." With the emphasis being on "critical."
I can tell you this. I'm sure the last thing on any of the riders, spectators, and photographers minds was COVID.
No, they were thinking only of those massive walls of water that could kill you in a heartbeat. Covid? Please. This shit was for real. Look at Jeff's photos and prepare to grab onto your seat.
Seriously, better hold on tight. Those pics are gonna rock you.
Give me Covid any day of the week over being caught inside by this thing.
Speaking of which. It's beginning to look a lot like a COVID CHRISTMAS.
If you thought Thanksgiving was bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. The restrictions are coming Fast and Furious. Mass and NH have basically shut down again. There are spikes all over the country. And kids, I hate to say it but, I'm not sure if Santa is coming this year. Unless he's masked up.
If you watch the news, you'd be afraid to leave the house. Nobody is going anywhere this Christmas. It looks like we're staying home for the holidays.
Hampton has 120 cases. That's way up from last summer and early Fall.
The Good News is two fold. First, millions of Americans have gotten it, and have beaten it. And...(drum roll please) two? The vaccines are coming! So continue to wear masks in public re: restaurants, stores, etc etc. I've been wearing a mask more times than I care to count. Doctors offices, Home Depot, and other places. I understand the science. I wear a mask where it's required. However, I do not understand the science of wearing a mask when you are driving in your vehicle by yourself, with the damn windows rolled up.
Somebody please explain that science to me. Seriously.
Driving ALONE in your vehicle with the windows rolled up? Who are you protecting? Or are you thinking you'll get the COVID, if you don't wear a mask, while driving alone in your vehicle? How does that science work?
Dr Fauci? Dr Howard? Dr Fine? Dr Howard?
*I'm showing my age and my humor on
that last line.
Just know, that if I see you go by me, driving alone with your windows rolled up, and you're wearing a mask? I'm going to shake my head at you.
I may even wave a scolding finger at you. You're being both silly and paranoid. Wearing a mask in your car while driving alone with the windows rolled up? You know what that means.
Adult pacifiers. That's a Binky on your face.
You really need a Bink? No of course not. Don't be a Binky wearing adult.
Wear your mask where it is required. Unless you have a sign inside your vehicle that says: "Roll Up Your Windows And Put Your Binky On."
Don't be that person. Be realistic. I know you can do it.
But hey, it's the Holiday Season. I'll let you slide thru the Holidays. Wear your masks while driving alone. Wear your masks in the shower. Wear your masks to bed. Merry Christmas! Happy Channakuh! Let's all try and be more cheerful and forgiving.
Look Ole Gramps stopped by to see the grandkids the other day.
See? I'm not some grumpy old Scrooge. I'm in the Christmas spirit!
Today is my sister Donna's birthday. Happy Birthday Donna! We LOVE You! This photo was taken at our Noni's home in the mid 1950's.
Looks like Donna has a cupcake. Wonder where mine is? Actually I wonder where that suit jacket of mine is. I'm sure it was handed down to my two younger brothers.
Anyway, we are smack dab in the middle of the Holiday Season!
Be kind, Be Cheerful, Be Forgiving, and more importantly, Be Thankful!
"CHRISTMAS, CHANNAKUH, & BIRTHDAYS
HEALS ALL WOUNDS!"
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This week's Ed's corner is a from one of our bigger days back in 2008. Thanksgiving to be exact. with all this MAV talk I thought I'd show some New England size. I know it pales in comparison to MAVS but we have other extremes that the west coast boys don't have. Like unbearable cold. Thanksgiving Day
November 26th, 2008. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.
Now for Some Local and National News
This is a story that not only caught my eye, but also my funny bone. Actually, I'm sort of a UFO buff. Or I used to be. I still believe in something being out there (I mean how could there not be?).
But this story? Pretty interesting. At one point Trump was going to expose the story to the public but was talked out of it for fear of causing a widespread panic. You should Google this story.
There's a great new documentary out that we purchased and watched. The Phenomenon. Is all about the case for there being UFO's. And look if I'm gonna throw 45 under the bus, I need to do the same for 44. For he too was aware of this stuff as well as other high ranking officials. I strongly suggest you buying this and watching it. Legit pilots from the past and today have seen them. For real. I'm not just saying this. Look it's 2020 you can handle this stuff. It's truly eye opening stuff. Hearing and seeing footage of these crafts?
Watch it and decide for yourselves.
As a graphic designer and artist, I like the package design.
Both President Obama and President Clinton agree they exist.
This photo above is from the footage of a NAVY pilot. This thing was moving at unheard of speeds and then changing direction and rotating. We have nothing on earth that can do that. Again, don't take my word for it, watch it for yourself and decide.
SUPREME COURT REJECTS TRUMP'S REQUEST TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION RESULTS. The Same three Supreme Court Judges that he appointed. If not for anything else, those who were against these three judges be appointed should feel pretty good right about now. No man is above the law. Including the man who put them in this
position.
Maybe now, 45 can see the writing on the wall and write and accept his concession speech. Concede Mr President. Concede.
And speaking of conceding. It's time we New England Patriots fans concede this 2020 season. We are going nowhere fast. To go from winning 45-0 the week before, to losing 24-3 the next game? Yeah, there's trouble times ahead for this team. It's time to face the facts. Cam Newton is not that good of a QB. He's no Tom Brady that's for sure. But he's also not one of the new up and coming throwing and running QB's who can do it all.
He's too indecisive and his throws are terrible (for the most part). He can run, but he can't think while doing so. Right now I'd take Stidham over Newton. He can pass better. And honestly, I'd rather have a QB who can pass and run if he has to. Not the other way around. Which is precisely what Newton is. It's not good. Stick a fork in us.
We're done.
Last week I posted
about John Lennon's 40th anniversary
of his assassination. I so wish that John was still with us.
This is how Paul McCartney looks today. His new album McCartney III is coming out this week. I can't wait.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
I'm not sure how KSM got to the head of the line down in GITMO for getting the vaccine, but I'm not at all surprised. Of course he would weasel his way into the first group to get the COVID-19 Vaccine. You got to hand it to Ole Khaliddy! He's got Moxie.
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 PLASTIC GLOVES
at Home Depot this week.
HAPPY HANNAKUH! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
REST IN PEACE Charlie Pride 85yrs old Covid.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Donna Baldassari December 13th, 2020!
HAPPY 1st Met 37th Anniversary Cory December 23rd, 2020!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tony Berardini December 24th, 2020!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Baby Jesus December 25th, 2020!
PLEASE Keep 98 yr old Frank Grondin in your thoughts and prayers, as well as Chuck (Kim's dad) .
PLEASE Keep longtime NH Surfer Greg Smith in your Prayers.
PLEASE Keep local Surfer/Musician Pete Kowalski in your thoughts and prayers this Holiday season.
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 16 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
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