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January 24, 2016 The RUN is 11 out of 11 Weeks.
Waist high or better at least once a week.
There were Good waves on January 17th, 2016
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The Loss of a South Shore Surfer, Winter Storm Jonas,
The Patriots vs The Donkeys for the AFC Championships.

The entire country is focused on two things this weekend. The major winter storm Jonas, and the AFC and NFC Championship games. The entire country except, the family members and friends of the 12 Marines who lost their lives in a tragic accident off the coast of Oahu last Thursday January 14th, 2016.

They will still be in mourning. There will be no celebrating any
Patriots, Broncos, Cardinals, or Panthers victory for them. The numbness of this tragic news is still very fresh in their minds. There is a gallery dedicated to all twelve Marines. Take the time and look through it. See their smiling faces. Some with their parents, their wives, their entire family.



These Marines were part of PEGASUS HMH 463. They flew in the big CH 53 Super Stallions. The biggest troop carrying Helicopter in the Marine Corps. PEGASUS 31 and 32 were the two choppers that were lost. In heavy surf, at night. There were 20' waves that night.



I know a little bit about the 53's. When I was in the Marine Corps we flew in the original CH 53 Sea Stallion. The Super Stallions are the modern version of the old birds we flew in. My time in Southeast Asia 69-70 was spent mostly on the ground. But every now and then we would board those big birds and fly off into the bush.



While this is not a great photo ( I had a Kodak instamatic), you can almost see the grunts exiting off the back of these Sea Stallions. I need to say this. Every Grunt I knew had nothing but the utmost respect for the Marines that flew in those choppers. The CH 46's and the CH 53's were always a welcome sound to those of us on the ground. And I'm sure today's grunts think the same way.

One of the Marines on board one of those choppers was a surfer from the South-shore of Massachusetts. Chris Orlando. He was a a good surfers who was well respected and loved by his family and friends. I had several of his friends contact me when the news hit. I was already in the know about this tragedy. When I saw the pics of Chris, I knew the loss would be felt by all who knew and loved him.



When I saw the pic of him surfing it was obvious he was the real deal.



All you surfers out there can see it too. He could surf. And I'm sure he got more than his share of surf on the North Shore. Hell, I'd bet anything he surfed right off the base at Kaneohe. In fact, when we used to surf those outer reefs near his base, we could see the surf on the Marine's base. Chris was obviously no dummy. He scored out there. And maybe, just maybe he's scoring right now. Now wouldn't that be something nice to think about.

Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.



Chris was a Marine. He was part of a brotherhood that only Marines can understand. I'm sure everyone who knew him, was more than proud of his service to our country. I didn't know him personally. But I knew Marines just like him. Plus, he surfed. I'm so deeply sorry for this loss to family and friends.



Semper Fi brother. Say hello to some of my Marines.

* On a side note. Dougie "Fresh" Wright sent me this pic on Saturday morning 7:30 EST it was still night on Oahu. He was camping on the North Shore and couldn't fall asleep. The reason? He said he saw between 10 and 12 shooting stars. 12 shooting stars? Could they have been the 12 missing Marines? Who knows.



"Surfing Heals All Wounds"

 

 

 






"Ed's Corner" pic this week is a shot from the winter of 2013. I think I like this pic better than the one I use in his masthead. I may replace it with this. Just one more of the thousands of pics that Ed has shot around these parts.

To see more of Ed's pics just hit the archives tab and scroll through the years and see some of Ed's work. It's worth the trip down memory lane.
Be sure to pick up the SFOD movie The COLD COAST
 and check out the extra feature of Ed O'Connell's gallery.

Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances

Here comes Winter Storm Jonas. And he's kicking some butt down in the mid Eastern seaboard states. Somehow, those of us up north are dodging a bullet. (Whew). Though, I feel bad for the our friends in the mountains. This would of been a great storm for them. That's ok, there's plenty of winter left.



No snow for those in the Northeast. However, we will get some HUGE surf out of this baby. Winter Storm JONAS. Just a big bag of wind for us.



Yeah that's right! Today's the BIG day. Our 5th straight AFC championship game. Too bad we are playing in Denver, but I like our chances. Be nice to get that Denver Donkey Monkey off our back. Once and for all. I know that Tommy won't fold. But Peyton?
He is a good QB. One of the best. But the best QB? We know
who that would be. You all know who is the best.



This is the main man. We trust you Tom. Hell you know the saying "In Bill We Trust." GO PATS!!!



Stop it. Palin has joined forces with The Donnie? Oh hell no.
You have to love the Post and the Daily News. I've always said, that would of been a dream job for me. To work at either one of those rags. Oh well. I guess the Internet will have to suffice.

KSM Photoshop of the Week

What the hell is with KSM this week? He wants to Endorse TRUMP? Wait isn't that Palin's dress? WTF? This has gone too far. This cannot happen. TRUMP and KSM? God help us all.



Please my friends, enjoy the weekly humiliation of the master mind behind the September 11th, 2001 attacks. The man who was behind the killing of 3,000 innocent civilians. The number two big dog of Al Qeada. Khalid Sheik Mohammed.

* Note to self, must pick up a case of MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN hats at Home Depot.

GO PATRIOTS!
Please send prayers and positive thoughts to the family and friends of Cpl Chris Orlando USMC ( South-shore surfer). Keep local surfer Mike Keefe in your prayers. Also say a prayer for my good friend Robert Gerard. And please continue to pray for local Hampton surfers Terry Morrison and Rick Fiorentini and their families. Also please pray for Marine SSGT George Masten. A combat Marine who served in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the purple heart for wounds received in Vietnam in 1967. George is battling cancer. PLEASE say a prayer for him.

 Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 9 years. **Think about BUYING 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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SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 11 YEARS!

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My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner below
on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDED July 26, 2011.
A Wave a day for 365 consecutive days.
Yesterday- John Duffy McCarthy (I think) Circa 1980's
 (Below) I am hoping this is Duffy. At first I thought it was Jeff Obst. But by the time he got to the inside section, I could see shades of Duff. We were all riding BH's back then. And there was a lot of board swapping. Maybe if Duffy sees this, he'll let me know. On a second glance it could even be Dean Savastano. Every one of them could surf.
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All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK
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Today- The Morning of January 17th, 2016
Photos by RALPH


(Above) This is Mikey Evans walking with the sun. January 17th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery








(Above) Mikey Evans dead center. January 17th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above)*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS from Lansdale JEEP the last 25 years, and have not had a single regret. They are the BEST!!
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(Above) This is the bottom turn that put him in the photo above this one.
Mikey Evans January 17th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) The window was short. The tide moved in quickly and the swell
was fading. Still, those that got on it, were rewarded with some fun waves. January 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) Some were calling it chest high. I was calling it for what it was.
January 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Lanky Ryan Reed was flying on the lefts. January 17th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery









If you know a surfer who may be struggling with any kind of substance abuse. Click here. They can help.
*Click above to save a surfer from substance abuse.






(Above) Hard to tell which were better. The rights or the lefts.
January 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The EMPTY Waves of January 17th, 2016
Photos by RALPH



(Above) The rights were sparkling perfect out there.
January 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






(Above) Check the big ship out the back. And check this empty peak.
January 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery










(Above) Keep in mind, these were all head high.
January 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) There was no shortage of empty rights. January 17th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This almost looks like a different day. It's not. Same day.
Same empty waves. January 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery














(Above) The Isle of Shoals in the background made this s special morning.
January 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Today- The 12 Marines Who Perished off the coast of Oahu
on January 14th, 2016



Please take the time to look at the faces of these young Marines and their families. Please click on the image above, and take in the gravity of this tremendous loss of life. All in the prime of their lives. Semper Fi Marines
January 14th, 2016
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Today- Video Frame Grabs from the BOWIE Swell video January 11th, 2016 Photos by RALPH



(Above) The frame grabs are not as good as the video itself. But you get a pretty good idea how good that day was. Just ask James Morse here.
FYI the video is still posted in the video section. You should check it out.
January 11th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





"North Conway's Family Mountain"



"Southern New Hampshire's Favorite Mountain"




"Superior Snow. Guaranteed.”






(Above) James Morse holding his breath. January 11th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Mackey V escaping the cement ledge. January 11th, 2016
Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Dave "Crop" Cropper over the ledge and into the reef.
January 11th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery











(Above) Crop pulling in and under this smoking left. January 11th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Ryan Jackson stepping on the gas to out run this thick lip.
January 11th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The 2016 ESA All Star Team at the Surf Expo.
January 2016 Photos by Lenny Nichols


(Above) These boys are fast becoming young men who can rip.
January 2016. Photos by Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery














(Above) I'm guessing there was no surf. Otherwise Lenny would of sent me some. January 2016. Photos by Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Skateboarding was always the 2nd best thing to do next to surfing.
Kai Nichols January 2016. Photos by Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






(Above) "EYES RIGHT!" How cool are these guys?
January 2016. Photos by Lenny Nichols
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(Above) We all keep forgetting that Florida is a tropical destination.
January 2016. Photos by Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







(Above) Meanwhile back in the REAL tropics. Julia Nichols heading
out for a birthday surf on Oahu. Photo courtesy of Julia Nichols.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



Today- Now for some amazing pics from around this watery planet. January 24th, 2016. Photos by The Google Machine



(Above) We would all like a pic of ourselves in this perspective.
January 24th, 2016. Photos by The Google Machine
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery










(Above) Beauty and the beast.
January 24th, 2016. Photos by The Google Machine
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This looks safe. Right. January 24th, 2016. Photos by Google
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Great NEW MARINE FORECAST Website





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We welcome all Surf Related pics from our Readers. Just make sure they are at least 900 pixels wide. If you have any OLD photos of local New England surfers and or of local New England surfing, we would love to see them and share them with our readers.

We can scan them for you. And we get them back to you undamaged. Trust me. We can do this...people love the older stuff. So if you have any, please send 'em along. If you have prints/slides we can scan them for you.

And we don't care if you shoot pics with with your cellphones. I mean it. Most of the images you see on the news and on the Internet were shot with them Smart Ass Phones. So shoot and ask questions later.










(Above) Maine sky. January 21, 2016.
Photo courtesy of Mark Anastas
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

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(Above) Local madman Tyler McGill doing what madmen do.
Photo courtesy of Tyler McGill
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above). Phil Beauchesne sent this in. Trestles at sunset. Can't wait to get back to San Clemente. Photo courtesy of Phil Beauchesne
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
 



(Above) ALL RISE: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session.
The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding.