The FIRST SWELL of 2017.

I just finished taking down all the outdoor lights off the house, trees, and bushes. I typically put the lights on the house December 1st, and leave them up and plugged in until January 1st. On January 2nd, they are dark. One full month is all we need. Now I know there are some of you who wait until the "Twelve Days of Christmas" is over. January 6th. Some people call it "Little Christmas" my late father called it "Baby Christmas". I call it beating a dead horse. I will allow my neighbors and friends to leave their lights up and on until the last day of January. After that? I'm going to unload on you.

Happy New Year! Now let go of 2016. Let it go.



The first swell of 2017 hit this week and the very first photo I took was of this poor guy. A native of Oahu he had paddled out to one of the local breaks here on a soft top. It was his first time surfing here. But check this. He had NO boots and NO gloves. And...he sat deeper than anyone. In fact, he admitted he was sitting on the ledge. His very first wave he said the wave doubled up and snapped his soft top like a twig. He had to swim in through those treacherous rocks (it was dead low tide) and retrieve his broken board.

I of course was right there when he walked back from the hill, and pointed my cameras at him. I shot some video and asked him what the hell happened. I kept asking "what were you thinking?" I mean good lord people it's January. Every single person out there was dressed appropriately. What would possess someone (from Hawaii no less) paddle out with NO BOOTS & GLOVES? On a fricking Soft Top?

He ended up going to Cinnamon's and Dave set him up with a board and some new boots and gloves. But hold on, it gets worse.

As he's getting his new board waxed, and boots and gloves on, he is telling me his story. I wish I could remember his name. He sounds like a good guy. Just a little misinformed about our local water temps. Any way, as he locks up his vehicle to get ready to go out I hear him scream "Oh no. I just locked my keys in my car!" He looks at me and says "What else could happen to me today?" I answered "Well, you could end up on my blog, or you could drown."

I felt bad for the guy. But not that bad where I wouldn't post the short interview.



Now this is more like it. A sensible local (Alex Orestis) wearing boots and gloves and everything else you need in January. The swell cleaned up nicely, and then the sun popped out and made it especially nice.



Matt Colby was on it like a hornet. There might have been a bit too much south in the wind for this particular spot but the crew didn't seem to mind much. With the air temps hovering around 44 degrees it felt more like
Spring than winter.



With a slight change of venue, the south winds seemed more favorable.



There was however, a stiff price to pay for pulling into the wrong hole.



The swell was dropping by the end of the day, but those with enough energy and imagination could easily milk this thing to death. Johnny Meehan opted for the board of length to get any wave he wanted, as the light waned on this really fun first day of waves in 2017.



It felt like Spring all day, but there was a slight chill in the air. And sure enough the very next day, it felt like January. Oh well. We're all hearty New Englanders up here, and we can take whatever it is that's coming.

Even this clown (I hope).



"Surfing Heals All Wounds"

This week's pic from Ed's corner was shot in January of 2014.
None of us were bored by the sights and sounds of a swell with Sea Smoke. Though Nevin's holds the crown of the best sea smoke pics, Ed's stuff was pretty dramatic too. This eerie photo of that surfer walking through the smoke, to get to that serious ground swell is pretty fricking cool. Sadly, this was one of the last sea smoke sessions Ed got to shoot. He passed that coming July in 2014.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. 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
OK this is a special week for Patriots fans. It's the one week where we don't have to stress about the game. Unless you're really a crazy fan who can't help but think of all the possible outcomes. But me? I'm enjoying this stress free week thank you.



Besides if this guy (below) is not stressing why should we?



This is Brady at the last regular season game in Miami last week.
Gee think he's competitive? He's got the burning hot fire in his belly like a Viking Warrior. If you're a New England Patriot's fan you know how dam lucky we are to have the BEST QB in NFL history as our leader. There might never be someone as great at number 12.



And there might be some very big shoes to fill if we lose these two guys at the end of this season. Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia.
Not since Romeo Crennal and Charlie Weis have we had such dominant figures on both sides of the ball. Yeah yeah I know. Bill Belichick is the coach. But these two guys? HUGE. I think we would miss them both if they were to move on.

But, we've all been here before. And somehow and some way, they still manage to find a way to win. Next man up. Still, it won't be the same without these two.

Here's an IMPORTANT MESSAGE from the Rowlee Family.



Dear Molly Fund supporters,

I can't believe we are coming up on the end of our 6th year of The Molly Fund! Your generosity over the years has been overwhelming. Together we have donated close to $350,000 to Dana Farber for families with children battling cancer! Your donations have helped people right in our own little community. 

But, we can do more.  We have decided that it is time to move all administration of The Fund to Dana Farber. IT WILL STAY THE SAME AS IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, but now we won't have to pay for any expenses associated with running a non-profit (accounting services, board insurance and office supplies). 100% OF YOUR DONATIONS WILL NOW GO DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES. Dana Farber is a non-profit and your donation will still be tax deductible. They will send me notifications of donations so I can personally thank you, and send a sticker.

**Effective immediately, checks will now be made out to:
Dana Farber Cancer Institute with Molly Rowlee fund in the Memo line.
Mail to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Attn: Hannah Casill
Division of Development
10 Brookline Place West, FL 6
Brookline, MA 02245

With all our love, Meg and Buck Rowlee, Skip Brunette, Chuck White, and MP Broderick, the Molly Fund Board.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
I'm sure you have all seen the GEICO TV commercial with the Japanese sumo wrestler on figure skates. His famous move the "Baby Bird" is especially memorable. Well wouldn't you know it, that Ole Khaliddy Sheik yer booty Mohammed wanted in on that fame. Only he calls his move the "Baby Turd" and instead of releasing the turd, he swallows it whole like an oyster. I know gross huh? Well what do you expect from a terrorist?



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 Bird Seed
at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kim Grondin January 13th, 2017!
REST IN PEACE Mr Haenn father of surfer Geoff Haenn

Prayers and positive thoughts to Erica Nardone's recovery.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 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

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) Is it me, or do you see the waves in the sky too? January 4th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) John Adams on the beach. There were three other photographers there when I shot this. January 4th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Matt Colby is one of those guy's who stands out in the crowd.
January 4th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I didn't see many tubes. And neither did this guy.
January 4th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is a stylish cutback. Joel Feid January 4th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Stevie O'Hara steep and deep. January 4th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I had been shooting since 7:00AM but I saw the potential for a good sunset, so I hung around. I'm glad I did. January 4th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The FIRST SWELL with Kevin Doherty
January 4th, 2017. Photos by Kevin Doherty



(Above) I got this same wave and ride on video. But I have to say, the still makes it look way more intense. Mackey V grabbing a rail and hoping for
the best. January 4th, 2017 Photos by Kevin Doherty
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Matt Colby a little hang time in the wind. January 4th, 2017
Photos by Kevin Doherty *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Oh hell yeah. This wave is every bit as hollow and shallow as it looks. January 4th, 2017 Photos by Kevin Doherty
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) And this guy? Kai Nichols? Quite possibly the fastest guy
in the water these days. Speed equals big turns. January 4th, 2017
Photos by Kevin Doherty *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The FIRST SWELL with John Adams
January 4th, 2017. Photos by John Adams



(Above) OK it's official. Matt Colby wins the MOST PHOTOGRAPHED SURFER of this swell award. January 4th, 2017 Photos by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Goofyfooters in the mist. January 4th, 2017
Photos by John Adams *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Matt Colby setting up for the big ______?
January 4th, 2017 Photos by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The FIRST SWELL with David Manzi
January 4th, 2017. Photos by David Manzi



(Above) What I say? Here he is again. Matt Colby. January 4th, 2017
Photos by David Manzi *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) And what did I just say about the runner up? January 4th, 2017
Photos by David Manzi *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) While this guy did not. January 4th, 2017 Photos by David Manzi
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Phil Carey, and while he may not be the most photographed surfer this swell, he gets a lot of waves in the video I shot from this day. In fact, Phil has appeared in about a half dozen of my clips this past year. Funny thing is, I never recognize him as I'm shooting. It's only after when I'm in my studio that I see him. January 4th, 2017 Photos by David Manzi
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery