Local NH legend Kevin "Doc" Grondin was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall Of Fame on Friday January 26th, 2018. Kevin who is in his early 60's has been a Surfing Icon here in New England since the early 70's. I first met Kevin in the early 70's when he was a young up and coming grom. I do not believe I have documented anyone else's surfing more than I have shot Kevin. Nobody can lay claim to that fact. Nobody.



I have more footage of Kevin than any other surfer around. Including my son.
Why would I shoot Kevin so much? Are you kidding me? He was the best guy out there by far. I pointed the camera at Kevin because he was head and shoulders above anyone else. In fact, some might argue, that he's still one of the top 5 surfers in NH. Clearly when the surf gets big, Kevin shines the brightest and the boldest. I've seen him on the biggest days here, and on some huge days in Hawaii.

And look, I'm talking about today. You know, 2018. He can still surf!

What a lot of people don't realize is his competitive side. Kevin can play the game as good as anyone. He's smart, he's athletic, and he knows the mechanics of any wave he would be competing in. From timing the sets to playing position, nobody gets the upper hand on Doc.

He will take you downtown every single time. I've seen him do it.

He is truly a New England legend, longtime ESA competitor, official, standout surfer, and coach of the highly successful US surf team that won the 1996 World Surfing Games Team Title and the 1995 Pan American Championships Team Title.

Coaching throughout the ’90s with Bruce Walker (2002 ECHOF inductee), Grondin successfully motivated surfers like the Lopez brothers, the Hobgood brothers, Ben Bourgeois, Bryan Hewitson, Christel Roever, and many other young competitors to the top of the world’s amateur and pro rankings.

Meanwhile, Kevin himself is a legendary surfer with multiple US Championships and nine East Coast Championship titles in numerous disciplines, plus numerous Iron Man awards. You need to go back and read all of that. Seriously, go back and read it again.



Kevin and his fellow ECHOF member Sid Abruzzi. These two have been surfing together for a few decades at least. Sid practically owns Rhode Island and Kevin is the King of NH. Together they make a hell of a pair.



The Hobgood brothers and the Grondin brothers. Actually Kody is Kevin's son. How exciting for the whole Grondin family to be able to partake in this honorable ceremony.



OK Kevin I didn't take this photo. So don't shoot the messenger on this one. And I didn't have comparable eyes to photoshop you. You'll have to live with this awkward moment captured on an I-Phone. Unfortunately it's the only pic I received of you at the podium.



But don't worry my brother, I wouldn't leave you here without one of your staple pics. I shot this last month here in NH. And as it happens so many times before, the wave of the day seems to land in his lap every time.

I think I can speak for everyone here in NH and Northern New England when I say, "Congrats Brother! You Earned It! We All LOVE You! Aloha!"

"Surfing For Fun, And Surfing In Contests, Heals All Wounds"

Kai Nichols competing in the ESA back in 2013. Following closely behind the Big man himself. Speaking of the ESA.
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 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
Why do they all hate us so much? Oh come on, we know why. It's the same reason why we hated the Cowboys. They were always in the Super Bowl and they always won. Same with the Steelers and the 49'rs. People hated them. Now they hate the Patriots.

Though I must say, if the Patriots win next Sunday. They may as well try for 7. After all, 7 is a lucky number. It would be a good way to end the Dynasty. Then Brady could retire, and Bill could go and do whatever he wants to do. And we fans can go on and live happily ever after. (Fade to black)



Back to reality here. The Eagles are a good team. They didn't get here by making mistakes. They are for real.



This was pulled off the Internet. A poll for just how many states in the USA want the Eagles to win. Holy Mackerel! It's don't look good for the Red, White, and Blue. But I fear all this does is make the Patriots hungrier. And The Eagles have enough to deal with without providing the Pats some motivation. Am I right people?



I'm pretty proud of myself for this little graphic. Ha ha! Yeah it made me laugh while I was creating this. If you can't read this click on it and you can see a larger one.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
This time KSM has stooped too low. To actually pray to Jesus? Oh come on Khaliddy. You can't be serious. Oh for heavens sake, who knew you were an Eagle fan? I know the colors of Red, White, and Blue make you ill, but to root against TB 12 and the boys? Sorry, you've gone too far this time!



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 "Bibles" at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kelly Ciarmataro January 28th, 2018! CONDOLENCES to the Kohlhase family of Rye NH for the
loss of their son David.
GET WELL Max Malila in your recovery!
GET WELL JoEllen Bunton Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you!!

Last but not least, I did this blog while being sick with pneumonia. I refused to go to the Doctor all week long thinking I had just a cold/cough/flu. Wrong. Don't be a dumb ass like me. If you're sick with the flu, and you're over the age of 65, GO TO THE DOCTOR!



I'm contagious for at least a week. Thank you for the well wishes.

THE NEW GRANITE GIRLS poster!




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) The colors hung around well after the sunrise.
Wednesday January 24th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Afternoon Of Wednesday January 24th, 2018
Photos by RALPH



(Above) The colors changed but the action remained the same.
Wednesday January 24th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) But the waves were still hollow. So it was worth the second go-out.
Wednesday January 24th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Patch after running non stop for two hours. It was all I could do to get him to stop so I could take his pic. Saturday January 20th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







(Above) Big Momma Seal sunning herself on a rock at P-Cove in Hampton. January 27th, 2018 Photo by Erica Nardone
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Julie Jakoboski in San Diego this past week.
Photo by Phil Albritton
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery