This graphic above is usually posted in the COMING NEXT WEEK section. But I damn near choked when I saw this. 12-20ft on Friday, 9-14ft on Saturday, and 10-18ft on Sunday. I'm trying to remember the last time I saw a forecast like this. It's gotta be back in '91 during the Perfect Storm swell.

Or as we always remember it, The HALLOWEEN SWELL.

So I had to lead off the blog with this information. This is one of those swells that will attract the inlander's to leave their cabins and ride east to see the large surf. They will undoubtedly gather along the shoreline getting soaked at high tide. Some will even have their vehicles damaged by flying boulders coming over the seawalls and out into Ocean Blvd. And they will become giddy at their own misfortune. And sadly, a few may lose their lives as well.

But such is life. But make no mistake about it. This is going to be big.
Hell this might even be BIGLY BIG.



Even if the forecasts reduce the size by 5-8' its still going to be 10' plus. And that's big. Hell, that's big anywhere. 18.5ft by 11 seconds. For New England? That's going to be significant. Unfortunately the winds will not be favorable. It will blow out of the Northeast for days. And when I say blow, I'm talking about GUSTING anywhere from 30 to almost 50mph. That's like having a fire hose spraying you in the face. Nasty as nasty can be. And if it's sleeting ice rain, or snow? My brothers and sisters it's gonna be crazy!

There are places that can handle that kind of wind. You just have to know where. Sorry, you're not about to find out here. Use your imagination and go searching. It's what we did back in the 60's and 70's and even into the 80's. We went out looking for waves. And we found more than our share.

Put your Discovery hat on, and get out there and search for waves.

Last week's devastating school shooting news keeps getting worse. Besides the total breakdown of the FBI losing track of this potential powder keg, weeks and even months before his Valentines Day Massacre this.



The school resource deputy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School waited outside the school building as the shooting unfolded last Wednesday. Scot Peterson, the deputy, never went in after taking a position on the west side of the building, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel (above) said in a news conference.

Deputy Scot Peterson (above) resigned on Thursday after he was suspended without pay by Israel pending an internal investigation into his actions during the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that left 17 people dead. Peterson was eligible for retirement. Now he's eligible for being an outcast.

Israel made the decision to "suspend Peterson" — who was armed and in uniform at the time of the shooting — after interviewing the deputy and reviewing footage and witness statements, he said.

“What I saw was a deputy arrive at the west side of building 12, take up a position,” Israel said of the video. “And he never went in.”

Israel told reporters Peterson should have “went in. Addressed the killer. Killed the killer.” Instead, the deputy waited outside for about four minutes. During that time, Israel said, Peterson got on his radio and took a position where he could see the western entry of the building.

Asked how he felt watching the footage, Israel said: “Devastated. Sick to my stomach. There are no words. These families lost their children. We lost coaches. I’ve been to the funerals, I’ve been to the homes where they sit and shiver. I’ve been to the vigils. It’s just — there are no words.”

Well, I have a few words for Deputy Peterson.

We called it “Facing The Tiger”. 

I remember the big salty looking Sgt Major telling us FNG’s (Fucking New Guys) when we were gathered inside the hangar to get our weapons and gear. "When you hear those AK rounds slicing through the trees and branches over your head, and those rockets slamming into the ground around you, everybody’s asshole just tightens up”. 

I never forgot that. And it was true. 

We were scared, but we were Marines. Keeping a cool head while the world is erupting around you, is how you get through it. But that was against a well armed disciplined Army. School shooters? Those are F****** cowards.
I’d go at them with a number 2 lead pencil to save those kids.

And I am not alone.

That deputy served for 30 years on the Police force, He was going to retire soon. His own Chief and fellow Police officers are disgusted with him. I don't give a f*** what Trump says. We all know that Trump would have shit his pants running away. But this is not about Trump.

This guy took an oath. He trained with his weapon. He had a bullet proof vest on. Those kids and teachers had nothing. NOTHING.

Ever since Columbine, all across the country, all Police departments have made it their mission, to enter the school if there is a shooting. Enter the school. Go towards the sound of gunfire.

To wait 4 minutes? Four minutes? That's an eternity. Hearing those shots, and those kids screaming? How could any Police Officer hide and do nothing? The shooter was only in there for 7 minutes. I know enough Police officers and Firefighters here in Hampton NH to know, that our guys would go. I have no doubt they would all go. 

You put your head down, and you GO!

He knew what was happening in there. He knew those kids and teachers were being slaughtered. He was trained to fire his weapon . The shooter might have folded if he was faced with a professional Police Officer with a gun. He may have killed himself. Most of them do when faced with a challenge. The cop could have done several things.

He could have gone to the shooter and yelled at him to "drop his weapon" while taking cover inside the hallway. Or he could have gone in and “faced the tiger” and engaged him with his weapon. Those kids were unarmed. Think about them. He could have done something. Think about those parents.

How would you feel? An armed police office with a bullet proof vest hiding outside for four f****** minutes while those kids were being slaughtered. The motto of the Police Department is “Serve and protect.” He did neither.

I know this. Scot Peterson is all done. He's going to have to move. There's no way he can face any of his neighbors again. Not to mention that the parents
of those kids will be filing a major lawsuit against those responsible for this.



Forgiveness? Maybe some day, but not now. Not tomorrow. He should be on suicide watch. He's got police guarding his home 24-7. I'm not sure how he can live with himself after this. He could have been a hero, instead of a zero.

Speaking of REAL HEROES...

Friday February 23rd, 2018 was the 73rd anniversary of the flag raising on
Mt Suribachi on Iwo Jima. February 23rd, 1945 six Marines raised the flag on top of Suribachi to motivate the Marines on the beaches still fighting. Three of these Marines were killed just days after the Flag Raising. The battle lasted to the end of March. Over 6,000 Marines were killed on Iwo.



This image changed my life as a young boy. I saw this photo and knew I was going to be one of them. In the lower left hand corner is a photo of my dear departed friend George Masten and I standing in front of the actual flag in this famous photo. SSGT George Masten fought in Korea and Vietnam where he was wounded in action in 1967. Semper Fidelis to all my Marine brothers
and sisters.

This past Saturday February 17th, 2018 Cory and I saw the Beatles.
It was one of the best if not THE Best show I have ever seen in my life.
Click on this graphic below to read my review and see the pics from
the show. UNBELIEVABLE.



"All You Need Is Love. Love and Courage, Heals All Wounds"

This is Toby Parke. A few years ago I missed what Toby called his best tube ever. That hurt both of us. I never forgot that. So any chance I get to throw Toby a bone I'm gonna do it. I kind of owe him. Ed of course shot this, and it's one of my favorite Ed pics.
I'm still gonna get some video of you Toby. You just wait and see. 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
Have you been watching the Olympics? We have every night. I love watching the skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, bob sleds, and just about everything else. Everything except Curling. More about curling later.

But the Skiing and the Snowboarding? Whoa! That is some entertaining TV. Though I have to admit, it's not what either sport used to be. They have literally taken these sports to new heights.
I mean, that's an understatement.



I think I like the winter games better than the summer games. Though in 2020 they are going to have Surfing for the very first time. Can you imagine that? Surfing! Finally after all these years. I remember years ago when Kevin Grondin proposed surfing in the Olympics. At the time I said it wouldn't become a reality. I'm sure Kevin is smiling today knowing this. Snowboarding was invented by surfers. And let's face it, so was skateboarding. The snowboarders owe a lot to surfers.



I like this kid. Chloe Kim won the Gold Medal doing some insane twists ands turns in the bowl. Watching her was exciting and scary. One false move or landing and she could have been really hurt. There was a news story on recently ( a day or two ago) about how to reduce the snowboarding and ski injuries in the bowl, and those big jumps.

Well how about reducing the size of the bowls and jumps? Or dialing down the crazy moves? But the kids are not going to want that. In fact, if anything they all want to go bigger.



Like this. Chloe Kim in the spin cycle, 60' above the hard packed snow/ice coping. Like I said, the kids all want to Go Big or go Home! I'm just getting to be an old fuddy dud. I love watching it, but cringe when they fall.



Check out these man/boys of the US Curling Team after winning the Gold. Look, of all the winter sports in the Olympics, this is one that is borderline laughable. Curling? I mean some of these guys could layoff the donuts and Big Macs. All of the other athletes train hard and workout to get in shape for their sport. What do these guys do to get in shape? If you're truly a Curling fan I'm sorry to offend you. But come on! This is not a sport!



This is a joke. And I know I'm not alone. What is this guy about 50? And that "Warrior's yell?" Dude you're a glorified custodian. I suppose all the janitors and custodians all over the world get jacked up when Curling is on. And I can just picture the late night crews having their own Curling events in the hallways of Wall Street. The loser has to buy the donuts. .

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Now I've seen everything. Somehow I missed the Al Qeada Curling team. Not sure how one would practice this down in GITMO. There's no ice down there. Yet, somehow the Terrorist Team was able to put together a Curling Team. They didn't place. And word has it from Al Qeada to ISIS that certain members of the team would be executed. KSM is the Captain of the team so he's safe. Maybe in four years when they have the next winter games our boy and his fellow curlers can get their shit together.



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 "Brooms" at Home Depot this week.


REST IN PEACE Billy Graham aged 99.
GET WELL SOON Jon Gozzo!
GET WELL JoEllen Bunton Sending positive thoughts
and prayers to you!!

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!



This just in. VICTORIA a new vocalist from France who now lives in California will be one of the artists featured in the new GRANITE GIRLS movie. The song "Suis Le Soleil" (Follow The Sun) is a great song. Victoria is a surfer. She learned how to surf in France and now she surfs in California. She partnered up with an old friend and record producer Andy Paley. They wrote all the songs together and Andy produced it. The song rocks!



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

(Above) Only in New England. Sunday February 18th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) He is highly tuned into the sounds, sights, and scents of the woods.
Sunday February 18th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Patch at full speed in the snow. But look how focused he is.
Sunday February 18th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Looked and felt like summer to these guys too.
Wednesday February 21st, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery










(Above) That's Clark Little doing his thing. This week on Oahu.
February 2018. Photo by Jo-Anne Crawford.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

GRANITE GIRLS Trailer 2-14-18 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

No Vacancy from Flat Feet Productions on Vimeo.

The 2nd Fatello & Fatello collaboration. Mackey's been down with an injured ankle, but he's been all over editing and shooting. This is some footage that we both shot. The editing however is all Max. The additional use of After Affects makes this edit a whole new ball game. As always, this has the Fatello humor aspect throughout.

demon mustache from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

This guy is like Rush Limbaugh on Crack. He's got a problem with Mustaches. My son Max has a mustache. He's not happy about this.

BOMB CYCLONE 1-5-18 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

Team Chili's 2017 And1 Mixtape Tour from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

Here is the 2017 Team Chili's And1 Mixtape in all of its glory filmed mostly by Ralph and edited by Max. 25mins of consistent blue collar on rail surfing and horseplay. Watch in it 1080p so your eyes don't bleed.

CHRISTMAS DAY 12-25-17 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas! We had a white Christmas on December 25th, 2017 and a really fun swell. There was a handful of local NH surfers who scored on this most blessed day. And if they were going to surf, I was going to shoot. Not gonna lie folks, it was as cold as it gets around here. Not complaining...wait yes I am. It was cold! Any way the surfers in this web edit are Lars Hamilton, Matt Colby, Becca Speak, and Harrison Speak.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!