July 18th, 2010
The Surf Count of Waist High Or Better is now 20 out of 22 weeks...

I swam for my board on Thursday morning. It was dead low tide at the Wall and the swell was coming up. I only lost my board that one time. But it was a long enough swim to take note of. And as I was swimming, I couldn't help but think of all the surfers who have never surfed with out a leash. You know who you are. You started surfing with a leash and more than likely have never taken it off. I guess I'm really showing my age when I say, that when I started surfing there was no such thing as a leash.

You actually had to learn how to control your craft without the use of a leash.

Imagine what it was like in the dead of winter surfing without a leash. Think about it. I can't tell you how many times when we were young and full of piss and vinegar and hit the surf like we were amphetamine Piranhas. Arms a buzzing, hooting and screaming, as we knee paddled and prone paddled out into the pulsing winter swells. Pushing those old long boards out through the pounding shore break, and then out to the line-up. Struggling to get through each wall of water. Turning turtle with each whitewater assault, until you couldn't turn turtle anymore because your head was turning into a brick of ice.

Finally getting outside and looking around to see who made it out with you.

Only to have a giant set appear out of nowhere, and unload in front of you as you try to turn turtle one last time, only to have the wave rip that old tanker out of your pipe cleaner like arms, and hurl itself towards the beach. When you pop back up to the surface, you realize you are a couple of hundred yards out, and your board is bouncing in the shore break. Your friends all groan for you, as you start your swim. And make no mistake about it. Wearing a two piece dive suit, with the beaver tail connection (that is not connected), and a hood that is too big, allowing all the water in the ocean to pour freely down your neck, is not fun. I'm sorry. That was not fun.

But you either swim, or you basically quit and die. So you swim.

And if I had a dollar, for every time I swam in and got my board, and paddled back out, only to have the exact same thing happen again...well, I'd have about $50 dollars today. What you thought I was going to say I'd be rich? Look, you live and learn back in those days. And one of the things we all learned quick enough, was all about timing and holding onto your board. You surfed with conviction and you surfed smart in those days. In other words, you learned how to control your craft.

I am not saying that leashes are bad. Hardly. I mean Good Lord, the last thing I want to face when I'm paddling out on a decent day, is a gaggle of loose boards coming at me as I duck dive my way out. Hell no. But I am saying, that too many surfers depend on those umbilical chords that are tethered to your ankles, as some kind of safety rope. You feel invincible out there. There are no repercussions if you flail and fall. Yes I said "flail" and not fail. Because a lot of the surfing that I see out there constitutes as flailing. And when you go "Flailing" through the air, knowing that when your feeble air attempt number 5,000 fails, you have your leash to reel that craft back in, and try again.

Cuz you's tethered to that swizzle stick of a surfboard.

And on the other end of the spectrum, I get down on my knees and thank the Good Lord that SUP's have leashes too. Because let me tell you right here and now, the last thing I want to see coming at me sideways in a wall of whitewater, is a 20 foot long, 10 inches thick, water craft with no rider. That would be like having a tractor trailer jack knife in front of you on the highway. And if I did face an oncoming SUP with no leash, and got through it, what about the damn paddle? Do those things float? I would consider it an insult, if a damn SUP paddle hit me in the chops, as I was paddling out. Please people, wear your leashes. I'm just talking here.

I really have to admit though, the swim on Thursday morning was so refreshing.

I'm not sure how many of you missed Thursday's Glassy Tropical session, but let me tell you right here and now. You really missed it. It was not big. Waist to chest high. But it was smooth as silk glass. And the water temps were "Trunking it" warm. Oh yea. It was nice and tropical. And I was fully engaged in both shooting the swell, and surfing it. Man...why can't we have more days like this?

This was a great week for surfing overall except for a few minor incidents involving three different photographers. First I captured a BDI of some guy dropping in on John Carden. John as you know, is a local photog. The other incident involved some guy paddle hassling Michael Sander. Michael is a Videographer who shoots some insane local surfing on his HD rig. And the third involved me. On my particular case, I had been shooting some of the locals surfing at 10th Street, when I decided to put the camera down, and catch a few waves myself.

My very first wave I went for, one of the guys I was just shooting, snaked me on a nice right and completely stuffed me.Yet I never said a word. I quickly paddled back out and went for a decent left that was coming straight at me. That's when I noticed this guy's buddy deciding that he was going to take off on the inside of me! He basically forced me to deal with his Long board coming up underneath my board, and eventually causing me to kick out way before I wanted to. I said in a loud voice; "The next time you see me paddling for a wave, back off!" That's when he claimed "he was in position" I fired back "So was I in position ...since 1964! And I was in position for the last hour, standing on the beach, in the blazing hot sun, taking photos of you and your friends!"

I stated the unwritten Photographers rights. And look, before anyone thinks I'm being a pompous ass, think again. By photographer's rights, I simply mean, to let the local photographer have a wave every now and then. Not every wave. But Good Lord, be respectful and courteous to the guys who are shooting on the beach. Is that too much to ask? I mean honestly? Is that too much? A wave every now and then?

Like I said to this guy the other day, "I can take down your photos as fast as I can post em!" Most of the photographers I spoke with have agreed with me. Except one. Chris Shipley. Apparently Shipley does not think Photographers should get any waves out of respect. That's cool. I can respect that. I don't agree with him, but I can respect his opinion. But having said that, the next time you see Chris Shipley out in the water surfing on his long board, feel free to paddle hassle him, and take off on him. Make him work for each wave. He wants to be able to earn each wave. The hard way. He'll be stoked to hassle with you. He told me himself.

And be sure and tell him, as you snake him, that Ralph says hello.

Monday July 12th, 2010 was the one year anniversary of Lil Miss Molly Rowlee's passing. About a 100 or so friends and family gathered at 10th Street for an impromptu beach get together. We all gave out big hugs and warm embraces to each other. Like I said to Buck...This day was "The last of the firsts." It's behind them now. No more First days without Molly. The year has come and gone. And while the empty feeling that Buck, Meghan, and Kieran and all of Molly's friends and family still feel. The healing process is in full bloom. And the spirit of Molly is with us all. Forever.

A week from Monday, I will step off at 10th Street to start my One Year Journey. Catch a Wave For Molly. I hope some of you can join me on that first day. July 26th, 2010 at 10th Street North Beach, Hampton. NH. 9:00AM Sharp.

CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY will start. More info next week.
Meanwhile...WE LOVE YOU MOLLY...



One Year Later...Photo by Brian Nevins. July 12, 2010



Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
88 Days later BP has a temporary cap on the Oil spill. Now that wasn't so bad huh? What was it a Million or so gallons of crude oil? That's fine. No biggie. Look I don't mean to be sarcastic, but this thing is so far from being over it's not funny. Keep your fingers crossed. I hope and pray that this is the beginning of the end.

OK can we talk a little about Mel Gibson here? Mr Holier Than Thou himself, has once again shown his true colors this week when his ex girlfriend released some scathing phone recordings of Mel completely unwinding, and going into a deep, dark, racist and violent rant. What the Hell Mel? This is the same guy who gave us The Passion Of The Christ. What would Jesus think Mel? Come on Mel...what is up with your Mad Max ass? You really that crazy?

Although, I have to say, I found it strangely entertaining hearing you go off the deep end. Let's face it, we all get giddy when celebrities have meltdowns. It's our way of feeling better about ourselves. We may not have the fame and fortune but at least we have dignity. Take note of the little people celeb losers.

On a real Global Bummer. I have just heard through several reliable sources that Tavarua Island and all of Fiji have changed their laws that govern the breaks around the Island. In other words, the flood gates have opened on places like Tavarua Island. What does that mean? Well put it this way. This is from a friend who was there the day the laws changed. He went from Surfing Restaurants and Cloubreak with 8-15 people to 75-90 in one day. And that my friends, is just the beginning. Time to get the maps out and start looking again. Because, that dream trip is over...

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
REST IN PEACE Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. I was never a fan of yours, but I can at least respect what you did for the Dark Side in NY.
Happy Birthday Judith Rastl. July 23rd.
Happy Birthday Janelle Urban July 23rd.
Happy 21st Anniversary Kevin and Kim Grondin July 23rd!
A DAY AT THE BEACH with WINGNUT! Thursday July 22nd! Join Endless Summer II famed Wingnut himself for a Fun SUP Tour at North Beach. Check the Cinnamon Rainbows shop website for details (at top of this page).
Congrats to Mr and Mrs Artie Beauchesne on the birth of baby number 4...MOLLY!
Congrats to Newly Weds Duffy and Jen McCarthy! July 17, 2010.
There's a SURFRIDER Beach Clean-Up on Saturday July 24th at North Beach in Hampton sponsored by Vans...there should be some decent give-a-ways. Help keep the beaches clean...it's your beach too!
BIG HANDSOME DADDY performing at Weare's Common on Rte 1 in Hampton Falls, NH Thursday August 19th 6:30-7:30PM FREE Summer Concert !
Wounded Warriors Return for HIT THE BEACH III August 27th at 18th Street 9-3PM.
Thank you to ALL who commented and gave words of encouragement to my upcoming Surf Endeavor. CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY.
Starts at 9:00AM at 10th Street on July 26, 2010 ENDS July 26, 2011.
A Wave a day for 365 consecutive days.



(Above) The First in a series of announcements for CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY.
* Click on the image above to see a larger version.

CALL FOR SURF ART. The annual Ralph's Pic Of The Week Summer Surf Art Column is moved to August 15th because of the Catch a Wave For Molly Event on July 26th.
The DEADLINE is Wednesday August 11th. All Art should be in JPEG format and no bigger than 900 pixels wide. Send the art with: A. Title B. medium C. artist.

AUGUST 27th the Wounded Warriors Return to Hampton. HIT THE BEACH III will take place at 18th Street at the Wall on North Beach. We moved the venue down to 18th Street for wheelchair access and close proximity to the bathhouses.

*CHECK RULES AND TIPS PAGE FOR LIFEGUARD AND SAFETY TIPS
PLEASE Pick up your trash at the beaches.

CHECK OUT THE NEW/Old YESTERDAY PAGE! ALL OLD New England and
beyond Surf Pics! *NEW PICS added each week!

*Check out the NEW updated DROPPING IN ON RALPH blog Section.
ALL Of June is up. *This is the blog section of this website where you can write in and comment. The only downside of this blog is, you actually have to use your REAL Name. No hiding behind some fake handle and name. If you want to comment, you have to man up, and be yourself. I will post all comments, both good and bad. You
just have to be yourself.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week
every week for the last 7 years. **Think about BUYING a Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW as a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer!

Remember my friends...Surfing Heals All Wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph