The NEW YEARS DAY SWELL was something. Boy was it ever. And if you were one of the lucky ones to actually not have a hangover and be on it first thing, well, you scored. Never have I seen the line-ups so empty as I did this first day. I mean, there was hardly anyone out. And it was going FREAKING OFF! I tried texting some of the main players but they were not answering. And what's the old saying? You snooze you lose. Well lots of you lost on this one. I shot a ton of video and did an edit this week.

You need to check it out to believe it. Seriously. 20 wave sets!

Think I'm kidding? I'm not. It's because it was just a wind swell. Hence the multiple wave sets that were close together. A ground swell is more spaced out. This wind swell which produced some serious overhead waves coupled with a stiff offshore wind was picture perfect. Wait, maybe the wind got a little testy as the morning went on. But from 8:00AM to 11:00AM it was one for the ages. A New Year's day Swell. Hangovers are a bitch.



Watching this guy run into the water made me think of how I used to do that. When I was younger I loved running down the beach and into the water. Now-a-days I take each step with a more laid back approach. Still, I like to see people do it. They do it because they are excited about the surf. Their surf stoke is evident. They can't wait to paddle out there. Though I look at it as expending too much energy. Especially in the winter. But kids will be kids.



This is Johnny Meehan. And while he is certainly no kid, and I'm quite sure he does not run into the water, he is ALWAYS on it. There were no hangovers slowing him down this morning. Nope. He was one of the first out there, if not the very first. I was happy to get a bunch of his waves this session. In fact, I was happy to get a bunch of the other older guys on video. Truth be told, they were the only ones out there. Johnny, Markey, and Lenny. I hope they appreciate the footage I shot. Like I said, it was one for the ages.



If you look closely you can see that there's at least 12 waves coming.



This was an oddball set. There were only four waves.



Same with this. But you can clearly see the quality of the surf. That wave out the back? That's as good as it gets. Anywhere in the world. *Well that's just a figure of speech (whatever the hell that means). But you know what I'm getting at. It was perfect. A perfect first day of the year. I told my wife on New Year's Eve that 2019 was going to be a GREAT YEAR! If the surf was any indication of that prediction, I'd say we're off to a good start.

Two weeks ago I mentioned the passing of my aunt. She was the last of the elder Fatellos in my family. The week before she passed she shared this photo of my late parents that none of us in our family had ever seen before. It's my mother and father in the late 40's (right after WWII). They were dating back then. It was stunning to see. I mean, do they not look like a couple of movie stars? I mean seriously. Look at them. It was so cool to see them as young lovers. Before they got married. Before they had kids. Before they had grandchildren. And before diabetes and cancer took them.



The power of a simple black and white photograph. They were married for 50 years. From 1949 to 1999. My dad passed in 2000 and my mother in 2007. That's quite the milestone. 50 years. For Cory and I to make it to 50 years I'd have to live to my late 80's. And my genes don't point to that accomplishment. My dad was 75 when he passed and my mother was 82.

But who knows what kind of life prolonging medicine will be around in 20 years. Maybe they'll come up with some anti aging pill that can stop the aging process. Gravity is not your friend when you reach a certain age.

Either way, I'm more than satisfied with "'Til Death Do Us Part."




My friend Johnny A is a huge BEATLES fan. He plays several BEATLE songs in his show. I'm going to see him this night. I hope you can join me. Trust me, he's worth seeing and hearing. There's nobody like JOHNNY A out there.

"Remember my friends, Surfing, Music, and Love Heals All Wounds."

I posted a pic last week of a double barrel. I said it was the first time I had ever taken one like it. But of course, Ed had already beaten me to the punch. Four years ago he shot this double barrel. He was always one step (or two) ahead of me.
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
This is the BEST time of the year if you're an NFL fan. The PLAY-OFFS are here. This weekend is the WILD CARDS. As a Patriots fan we will be watching the TEXANS and COLTS game. If the TEXANS win they will be coming to Gillette. If the COLTS win we will play the winner of the CHARGERS and RAVENS game. People have asked me what team do I fear. Truth is, I fear them all. Because truthfully, anything can happen in the NFL. ANYTHING! And if you're true fan, you have to agree with that statement. But one thing's for sure, we will be watching on the NEW 65" 4K SONY wide screen. Oh hell yeah!



If only I had a crystal ball. Or if I could see into the future. If I did? I wouldn't be writing a weekly Blog. I'd be on some tropical beach right now with my wife. But alas my friends, I'm a mere mortal like the rest of you. That's what makes this sport so exciting.



One of these QB's could be in the Super Bowl. Your guess is as good as mine. Though, I'd like to see the old guy get one more chance. TB 12 ...don't count him out just yet.



The DVD's ARE IN! We are taking orders via email. The much awaited All Women Surf Movie of the ladies and girls of the Northeast will be available at all the local surf shops this week and Online. To order yours just send me an email. ralph@adlantic.com or send a check for $20.00
made out to ADLANTIC and send it here:

ADLANTIC
c/o OC Studio Suites
703 Ocean Blvd Suite C-4
Hampton, NH 03842

THIS JUST ADDED! RENT or BUY it Online. You have spoken and I have listened. You don't have a DVD player so I made it available Online. Watch it on your Smart TV, your computer, or your cellphone! I can't make this any easier my friends.


GRANITE GIRLS and The RIVER WOMEN from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo. NOW AVAILABLE on VIMEO ON DEMAND.



Did any of you catch 45's press conference last week when he came out with the 4 bald guys? WTF was that? Any way, I couldn't help myself. I had to photoshop my brother and my three good friends. Hey it's all in good fun. Click on this image to see a larger version. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) The day started with a low lying cloud cover, that gave way to a bright sun shining day. Tuesday January 1st, 2019. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Lenny Nichols was the first person I shot this day. He's also in the video of the week. Tuesday January 1st, 2019. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The day will be remembered by the waves.
Tuesday January 1st, 2019. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) So many slept in because of hangovers and thinking it was
too windy. Tuesday January 1st, 2019. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The riders who got on it first thing scored the best waves of the day.
Johnny Meehan taking advantage of a clear head and good Tide book. Tuesday January 1st, 2019. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) There were way more empty waves than those being ridden.
Tuesday January 1st, 2019. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The first recognizable face I ran into this morning. He texted me
after I saw him at The Wall to let me know where he was going.
Lenny Nichols. Tuesday January 1st, 2019. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The FACES of RALPH'S PIC OF THE WEEK 2018.
Photos by RALPH and other photographers



(Above) That's my late Auntie Anna. Summer 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is my granddaughter Avery. Summer 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is me being a Beaver. Winter 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery