How could this happen? Is this the new norm? What is the solution?

I'm sure that if you're like me, you are still upset over the terrible and senseless killings last week of Black citizens and the Dallas Police. How did we get here? There are so many things to say and write here, but it seems pointless to go into detail on how and why this happened. We know why it happened. We need to figure out how to stop it from happening again.

Look, I have many friends in the police force. From the local police to the state police. They have, and have always had, my utmost respect. I consider them all friends. I know the dangers they face on a daily basis. I also know that they feel unwanted and mistrusted. As hard as that is for me to fathom, I can see how this whole trend towards police officers has changed because of the last few years. And it is so unfair.

The actions of a few, should not be a blanket of blame on all police.

It's ridiculous to think that every single police officer is going to single out every single black male. The amount of unarmed black males killed by police, pales in comparison to Black on Black homicides. Police killed 100 unarmed black males in 2015. While Black on Black killings were between 8,000 and 9,000. And, police have killed twice as many whites than blacks.

I am in no way, condoning the killing of any unarmed citizen, by anyone.

But honestly? Where the hell are the BLACK LIVES MATTER protesters of Black on Black murders? This appears to be hypocritical at best. This is a shame on what has happened. I woke up this morning and came up with this simple message. GIVE RESPECT-GET RESPECT "Black and Blue Lives Matter." I mean, think about that. And think about this.

If you get pulled over by a police officer. Be respectful. And I can virtually guarantee that you will also be treated respectful. If you are carrying a weapon
and the police want to detain you while they check your records. Do not resist. If they catch you running and yell STOP. Then by all means STOP. If they want to see your hands raised. RAISE YOUR HANDS. It's pretty easy stuff to remember. If you want to go home and wake up in the morning, then do whatever the police ask you to do.

And, if you're a police officer? You need to KNOW. That every single person on the planet has a cell phone and THEY WILL record your every move. If I were a Chief of Police in some of the bigger cities, I would strongly urge my troops to USE THE TAZER. The TAZER works. Nobody dies. Which means less protests. Which in return, can start the healing of Black and Blue encounters.
One last time. GIVE RESPECT-GET RESPECT.



OK back to surfing. This last Friday and Saturday, there were waist high waves. And I made the decision not to shoot because it just didn't warrant me standing there watching people surf slop. Yes it was waist high. But if I didn't shoot it does that mean there were no waves? Hell no. Maybe I'm getting a bit jaded in my old age. Will I now only shoot the clean, sunny, offshore, waist plus waves? Of course not. I shot today. This was this morning. Clearly waist high.



And yesterday Artie Seaman took a few cell phone pics (below) of the surf.



Waist high? I guess so. Though having a human being out in the water
is a better way of showing the true size.



I know it's hard to tell if it was waist high, but it was. I saw it. I just didn't shoot it. I'm glad he did. Saved me the effort of going down there and waiting for something to happen. I will say, that I was surprised there was surf. Magic Seaweed was wrong again.



Here's a pic I shot of Artie this morning. I figured I owed him at least a pic if
he was going to bail me out this week.



Here's one of Mackey basically doing the same move.

Friday night we went and saw our favorite NEW Big Band.
Mike Girard's BIG SWINGING THING at the Blue Ocean in Salisbury .
Suffice it to say it was GREAT! Followers of this blog know that I did a
review of this band back in May. It was printed in the latest EDGE magazine
as well as being online. If you have not seen them, you owe it to yourself to get up off your butt and see them the next time they play out.



Look what's coming to town next Saturday!



Coming here next week thanks to ESA-NNE, Cinnamon Rainbows, and the Flatbread Company. Press release to follow...Arrival early PM, at Wentworth Marina 7/16, all welcome. Canoe tours 1-5PM on 7/17, along with Meet the navigators lecture at Atlantic Grill in Rye 6:30-9...7/18 Portsmouth Flatbread meet and greet with the Hawaiian canoe 5-8PM





This is going to be a special few days. Hope you all can get up to
Portsmouth and check it out.

"Surfing With The Hokule'a Crew Heals All Wounds"

This is Billy Ritchie. Summer of 2008. The summers roll in and they roll out. The waves come and the waves go. I guess that's life in a nutshell.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Be sure and pick up a copy of the COLD COAST and check out Ed's own 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.



ATTENTION ALL SURF ARTISTS. See above.



The Dan Healy Foundation is something worth learning about.



The 9th annual HIT THE BEACH has a firm date. August 28th, 2016 at 18th Street in Hampton. As of today, we do NOT need any more volunteers. We have a big roster of volunteers from the last 9 years. If we need more, I will let you know. Thanks.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
I'm thinking that I just leave this image up until November. It really says it all. This is your choice people. Cast your vote.



Click on this graphic below to see a larger version.



It's funny, but true. Let me know if you want one of these.
I'd be happy to show you what I can do. It's not just airs, it's everything. Nose rides, barrels, big waves...you name it, I can do it. In other words, I can do what you can't do.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
I didn't realize I missed Shark Week last week. Damn. I say this because KSM is a big fan of Shark week. I dug up this old pic of KSM in the jaws of a Great White. The shark spit him out shortly after this photo was taken. I guess he tasted awful.
Hey sharks have feelings too.



As always... 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 shark repellent at Home Depot this week.


Happy Birthday John Rastl July 12th, 2016.

Please Pray for local Hampton surfer Terry Morrison and his family. 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 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 GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 11 YEARS!


OK check this out. Seacoastonline did a story on me and the blog. Just click on the pic below and look it over. It's pretty short, so most of you can handle it. Besides, it's just a different perspective of someone you already know. Me.


Click me. click me. click me.

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) I think I shot a half a dozen pics of Clara on this one wave.
Friday July 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) The moment you get to your feet all bets are off. Pev following a well thought out plan as to how to surf this wave. Friday July 1st, 2016
Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) "Hey look at me. This all you got Bitch?"
Friday July 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Unknown backing into a grinding little right hander.
Thursday June 30th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is a cool exit by Pev. I like the hand placement.
Friday, July 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Becca Speak going into her downhill stance.
Friday, July 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I sometimes shake my head at the things he does out in the water.
This would be one of those times. Mikey Evans Thursday, June 30th, 2016 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Mackey V in the morning of this "cold as ice swell."
Thursday, June 30th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Leftover Empty Waves from the last two weeks.
June 30th-July 1st and 2nd, 2016. Photos by RALPH


(Above) Not perfect by any standard, but the sparkles? I love it.
Thursday June 30th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The smoothness of this face is begging for fin slicing.
Thursday, June 30th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Looking north. Thursday June 30th, 2016. Photo by RALPH.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) That high tide left off of 10th Street. Thursday, June 30th, 2016
Photo courtesy of RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery