The TEMPORARY Home at 62 Lafayette Rd in North Hampton, NH Tel. (603) 929-7467

MEET LOCAL LEGEND RICK EVANS.
ANOTHER GREAT TWO DAY SWELL.
NFC AND AFC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

RICK EVANS WILL BE TURNING 70 THIS JULY 2nd, 2023

That’s a major milestone for anyone, let alone a local surfer who is still surfing today after having both of his hips replaced in 2005. Rick is married to Karen and they have 3 adult children. Meghan, Mathew, and Mikey (Mikel). Meghan is married to Nick Lastrina and they have one child, a boy named Luka. Rick and Karen have been together for 53 years. It’s true. Ever since they met on October 25th, 1969. They were officially married on October 8th, 1984. To know one of them, is to know them both. As long as I can remember, they have been together.

They are an iconic Hampton Surf couple, that have staked their claim, along with a distinct group of other married surfers at North Beach’s 10th Street. That infamous stretch of cement, affectionately known as THE WALL, at North Beach in Hampton, NH is our own “mecca” of NH surfing. We all raised our children here, and watched them go from little toddler groms, to where they are now.



And Rick and Karen were right there in the mix. Raising their three children at 10th Street and getting a foothold into the very fabric of the NH seacoast. Those of you who are familiar with 10th Street since the 1960’s will know the Evans family. We all raised our families here because of one major factor. This is where the waves are. The WALL and to be more specific 10th Street is where the surfers hang out. This has been true since the early 60’s. This is where I met them.



And this is where we will always meet up. This is our home. And the Evans family is one of the local main stays here.

But before the grandchild, and the three kids. And quite frankly, before Rick and Karen laid eyes on each other, Rick discovered surfing. In fact, the first time he ever saw surfing was at Hollywood Beach in Florida in the early 60’s. It was there that young Ricky first caught wind of the lifestyle that would not only change his life, but become the major force in his life affecting any and all future decisions. What he saw that first day blew his mind.

He was immediately smitten with surfing. Like most of us young surfers back in the day, we had to rely on our parents to get us not only to the beach, but to get us a surfboard.

The summer of 1965 Rick’s dad got him a 10’ longboard by Morey Pope. And they somehow convinced the Lifeguards at the south end of Jenness Beach (Sewer Pipes/Surfers Beach/ The Area)  to let little Ricky go surfing for the first time. And while he doesn’t remember his first ride, he does remember the feeling of standing up on a surfboard, and riding along.
A feeling, that hit him like a bolt of lightening. Most surfers know exactly what I’m talking about. Once you catch that first wave, you are either all in for the rest of your life, or you want nothing else to do with it. Obviously, Rick was one of the former. He was in. All in. And from that day forward, he would do whatever he had to do, to get back out into the surf.

Unbeknownst to him at the time. His future girlfriend/wife was vacationing at Hampton Beach in the summers. Talk about fate. Once they met, a mere four years later, they were both astonished that their lives have been literally mirrored by their mutual time spent in Hampton. There was no having to convince Karen to come to Hampton, she was already in love with the NH seacoast. And she took to surfing in NH like most teens did during that time period. The summers at Hampton Beach with Randy Radkay’s surf reports, are fond memories for most surfers who surfed here in the 60’s And Rick and Karen were living the life of a young attractive surf couple.

They traveled and surfed up and down the East Coast in their custom vans and they became friends with other local surfers here in New England and then ultimately in other parts of the world. The West Coast of California, and onto the Hawaiian Islands. Rick and Karen loved going to Hawaii when they were younger. It was there that Rick caught the biggest waves of his life. “8 to 10’ Hawaiian.” He told me. For those of you not aware of the Hawaiian scale of measuring a wave, it’s basically double of what you and I would call a wave. In other words, a 3’ wave (anywhere else in the world) would be a 6’ wave in Hawaii. So Rick was essentially out in 15’ to 20’ surf. That’s big. Ricky surfed Pipeline and Off The Wall on the North Shore of Oahu. He got hurt pretty bad one big day, while surfing out at Pipe. Tweaked his back and shoulder.

And true blue Karen, was on the beach and saw the whole thing go down.

Rick had made friends with some of the local rippers in Hawaii. Mark Liddell being one of them, would take Rick out at Pipe and get him into some waves that honestly? Ricky wanted nothing to do with. Hawaii is something else. I surfed with Rick on the West side of Oahu during a huge swell the winter of 1983. There’s a photo of us with some other friends. Charley Daly, TK, myself, and the late Thom Moore. That was one of the biggest swells on record that winter on Oahu. Rick and I surfed that day with Tiger Sharks all around us.

We surfed many times together back home here too.



SURF FAMILY ROBINSON. Rick and Karen were there from the beginning.

Meanwhile back home in NH, Ricky was hanging with all the local NH rippers. Kevin Grondin, Jay Hammer, and a number of others. After he and Karen got married, they started Northeast Motors in North Hampton. I designed the logo for their company. To this day, that logo is one of my favorites. Back in the local waters of Northern New England, Ricky was a standout at the points and the Wall back then. And once the kids started coming Rick and Karen did what any loving parents would do. They shifted their focus onto their kids. In the summer of 1992 I started a Surf Family gathering for all the surfers and their kids. The Evans were there right with the rest of us. My family, The Grondins, The Goulds, The McCarthys, there were so many families that went to our annual Surf Family Robinson Parties.

Those were great times for all of us. Especially watching our kids grow up and get into surfing. Those were the best days of our lives.

And Ricky got to do what only a few families were blessed to do. He got to surf with his kids. Matty was a great regular foot. And he was one of the “up and coming” rippers at The Wall. And then along came Mikey. Mikey was kind of a late bloomer as far as his surf riding talent. But once he turned that corner, there was no stopping him. Ask anyone about Mikel Evans’s surfing. It seemed like he showed up overnight. Mikey could surf both a short board and a long board, and surf them with style. I mean TONS OF STYLE. It was obvious that Mikel Evans was special. And then one day, Mikey shaped and glassed his own board. (Below) Rick out front and Mikey out the back.



That opened the floodgates. Not only was Mikey surfing at a high level, he was now making boards for himself and a group of local rippers. Rick and Karen set Mikey up with shaping bays on their property and the next thing you know, he was off to the races and building boards for virtually everyone. This last summer at the wall I counted 13 Mikel boards at 10th Street. Heck, he even made one for me two years ago when I turned 70. The support that Mikey got from his family and friends was tremendous.



Rick and Karen have raised three beautiful children who are well liked here, and abroad. Mat lives in California dating Jamie (a surfer) and Mikey  currently lives in New Zealand with his girlfriend Julie ( a great surfer in her own right). His kids all have great attitudes in life. And with one grandchild (Luka) already in their lives, Rick and Karen couldn’t be happier.

The next time you’re at 10th Street say hello to Rick and Karen. They are usually stationed right at the north side of the opening. They used to have their dog Rocky with them, but he passed away a couple of years ago. Now they have Ginger, and she’s a sweetheart. Surf families and surf dogs go well together. When I asked Rick where his favorite wave in the world was, without any hesitation he said, “The Wall. I love surfing there with my friends and my family. I have so much fun, right there at The Wall.”

I looked at this fiercely loyal, and loving husband, father, grandfather, and good friend, and shook my head in agreement, and just smiled. After all, there’s no place like home.

“SURFING WITH YOUR FAMILY HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

Kevin "DOC" Grondin, Rick Evans, and Jimmy Dunn at the old Flatbread Company in Hampton for the Meghan Fund raiser.
Thank God she beat the cancer that threatened her life and sent the Evans family into a whirlwind of emotions. The Surf Community rallied behind the Evans family and the power of love and support helped Meghan and the Evans family beat that cancer. The strength and love of this community never fails.



Winter of 1983 on Oahu's infamous North Shore. Left to right Rick Evans, Charley Daly, Ralph Fatello, the late TK, Mrs Daly, and the late Thom Moore. We surfed some big and scary waves this day and lived to tell about it.

*Note I apologize for the headband, but I was actually shooting a video for MTV at the time. That's no excuse I know, but it at least explains the absurdity of it all.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26th, 2023. CINNAMON RAINBOWS RECEIVED THE "FAITH IN THE FUTURE" AWARD.

Last Thursday at the BLUE OCEAN in Salisbury, Dave and Heather received the FAITH IN THE FUTURE award from the Hampton Area Chamber of commerce. The video above has them receiving the award and their acceptance speech. It truly has been a wild ride these last 5 months. Thank God Dave is not only feeling better, but he's back surfing and playing Hockey.



Here are all the recipients of all the categories. They all had very positive acceptance speeches. Humbled and grateful each and every one of them. Thank you to John Nyhan of the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce for inviting us.

Dave "CROP" Cropper. He's all smiles today. Thank God for that.

THE NEW 2023 RPOTW CALENDARS ARE AVAILABLE!

Featuring pics from every month from last year's Blog.
Email me directly at ralph@adlantic.com or pick one up
at CINNAMON RAINBOWS in North Hampton, NH

I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK OF THE OFFICIATING OF THIS IMPORTANT AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. WAIT YES I DO. THE REFS WERE TERRIBLE.

Look at this pic. One of these guys knows how lucky they are to be where they are going in two weeks. The other realizes how bad of a game they just lost. Not thanks to the bad officiating and that terrible penalty on number 78 for hitting Mahomes out of bounds. What a way to lose a game. Man, I'm gonna be rooting for the EAGLES. FLY EAGLES FLY. Yes I want the Eagles to win the Super bowl. I am so over Mahomey.

The NEW HAMPSHIRE SURF DOCUMENTARY.



A documentary that has been 58 years in the making. Hear from Local Legends Surfers from all over New England talk about New Hampshire. Coming the Summer of 2023


You know, I am fond of saying that watching the NFL playoffs without having a dog in the fight is a good thing. There's less stress when your team is not in it. However, watching that game last night? I was stressing for the Bengals fans. Do I think they got robbed? Yes and no. Is there a reason why I put KSM into this scenario? Not really. Though the mere fact that I put him here, should indicate my distaste for what happened to them last night. Besides, when in doubt, let KSM give a shout. He's earned the right to be made fun of every single week. You're welcome.



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 INSTANT REPLAY SOFTWARE at Home Depot this week.

CONGRATS To The EAGLES! BEAT THE CHIEFS!
REST IN PEACE David Crosby 1941-2023
REST IN PEACE Jeff Beck 1944-2023
REST IN PEACE Lisa Marie Presley 2-1-68 1-12-23
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kody Grondin January 26th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kelly Ciaramtaro January 28th, 2023!
Heal quickly Gary Ritchie who took ONE STEP BEYOND!
Please keep local Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers. SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS!
Please Keep local surfer Bill M. in your thoughts and prayers.
Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 18 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

YESTERDAY: KEVIN GRONDIN, NORM MURPHY, and TIM POLYCHRONIS. AT THE WALL. Circa 1980's
This is a cool photo that I have never seen before. I remember this time period like it was yesterday. Doc, Norm, and Tim. Those days seemed like they'd never end. But all good things and times come to an end. Please keep Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers. He's a good man and he's part of this community. Photo by Karen Evans

*Click on the photo above to see a larger image

I kept a daily Blog on my CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY surf campaign, when I surfed every single day for 365 consecutive days. Click on the Banner above to read entries of my daily journey. There's some really interesting and true experiences
that happened during that year. Some of which are to this day, unexplainable. Some are just mind blowing. But all true.

I started on July 26th, 2010 and ended on July 26th, 2011.

Some rainy Sunday, pour yourself a cup and go through the journal. Pay close attention to the month of May in 2011. Read that month and let me know what you think of that. Be forewarned it will change you forever.

All photos taken this week unless otherwise noted.

Today- THE RICK EVANS LOCAL LEGEND GALLERY
Sunday January 29th, 2023 Photos by Various photographers



(Above) This is the Rick I remember the most. Charging on a shortboard.
Summer 1985. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to see the Menu and other
important info on their Somerville restaurant and all the
other AMERICAN FLATBREAD locations.

(Above) The Surfing Granddads. Lenny, Kevin, and Rick.
Spring/summer, 2017. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The Hawaiian days. Karen, Jay Hammer, and Rick.
Circa 1980's. Photo c/o Karen Evans
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Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.

Click on the ad above to find out more about
more about local surf artist Stan Chew's art

Clark Little's new book
Click on the ad for more info.

(Above) Rick on the North Shore of Oahu.
Circa 1980's. Photo c/o Karen Evans
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The TALE OF TWO BREAKS DAY I IN THE AM
Thursday January 26th, 2023 Photos by RALPH



(Above) The wind came around and the tide started to fill in. It was on.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The SURFER'S JOURNAL is in a league all of their own.

DIPG THE CURE STARTS NOW
To learn more about Evan and his journey click here  https://thecurestartsnow.org/sup.../view-heroes/evan-austin/

(Above) This guy was on fire out there. Brian Avantes.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Then again, so was this guy. Johnny "JIM" Meehan.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Brian Joyce following JIM's path. *Get some new booties son. Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
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If you love the Beatles and you love the guitar
click on this ad above for an amazing instrumental
band playing all of your favorite Beatles songs with
the coolest arrangements. Johnny A is one of the
best guitar players on the planet.

Peter Stokes is one of the BEST guitar techs in
all of North America. He's the BEST guitar tech
in New England.

Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page

(Above) I'll admit, I didn't think he was gonna make this drop. He was pretty steep and really deep. Terence Kirby. But he pulled it off. Check the gallery.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The TALE OF TWO BREAKS DAY I IN THE PM
Thursday January 26th, 2023 Photos by RALPH

(Above) The first pic I shot that afternoon. I got a bunch of this guy.
Somebody should let him know. He's also in the video.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page

Produced by Steve Sadler.
Visit our Facebook page

The VINNY Band was around from 1976 to 1984




July 30th, 1979 headlining the Paradise Club
In Boston, MA

(Above) This might be the second person I shot that afternoon.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) MVF scored plenty of barrels this afternoon.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Brian BMO Morse pulling into a green gem.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The art of Donna Baldassari

Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.

(Above) This? One of my favorite new empty wave pics. Currently my screen saver. Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The random rainbows are always a treat, not to mention a
challenge to shoot. Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I was so stoked to get a sequence of Kenny Linseman in this
clean tube. Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Then I looked up and saw his son Kyle get a nice one.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

I love Erica's whimsical Gull art. So cool and unique.

ONLY THE DURHAM STORE IS OPEN.
Due to the massive fire back in August the
Hampton store is closed. We will let you all
know when SECRET SPOT is back in
operation on the seacoast.
Thank you.
Jon Gozzo and family.

(Above) This is Nico. He got a handful of screaming little barrels.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I hung around long enough to get a couple of Jack Madden.
It was worth it. Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The TALE OF TWO BREAKS DAY II IN THE AM
Friday January 27th, 2023 Photos by RALPH



(Above) Day II was smaller, but cleaner. Friday January 27, 2023.
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) El Goofy Foot Day II . Friday January 27, 2023.
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Sometimes you have to look up, or you'll miss stuff like this.
Day II Friday January 27, 2023.
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The DINALAND GALLERY
Thursday January 26th, 2023 Photos by Dina Crawford

(Above) This was the wave that I missed. Max Fatello first ride.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on this image to visit Driftwood Photography

"GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A KICK IN THE ADS"
Since 1985.

Everybody has a story to tell

(Above) The same unknown regular foot. He was getting so many clean barrels. Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The waves were so hollow that afternoon.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is MVF. Thursday January 26, 2023.
Photos by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is the same wave of Kenny that I shot. Dina was about 30 yards north of me. Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is Brian Morse. Thursday January 26, 2023.
Photos by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Kyle Linseman. Kyle got multiple barrels this day.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Kyle's girlfriend Alexa on a decent set wave.
Thursday January 26, 2023. Photos by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Then just as I was leaving this guy showed up. Glad Dina
got a few of his waves. Matt Colby. Thursday January 26, 2023.
Photos by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously.
By 10AM. Make sure they are 1300 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me.
Thank you.

Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics.

My friend Rick McAvoy from Maine is the creator
behind this unique Surf Company

(Above) This is another pic of what's happening on the west coast.
January 2023 Photo by Ron Freeman
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) A cool pic from the EDDIE. See a few more from Tricia O'Neill.. Photo Tricia O'Neill
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Me and Max on Friday January 27, 2023.
Photo by Jacquie Wright
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

He's more than just a good photographer

Click on this image above to buy this book
and more cool KING'S X merchandise and music

I'm seeing more waves this week Monday-Wednesday 1-30-31-2-1-23

Monday 1-30-23 is my pick of the week.

JANUARY 29th, 2023

"I can't even begin to fathom what this must be like. It's safe to say, I'm going to my grave having never experienced this."

I don't want to know what this feels like.
Photo by Instagram



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