This coming
THURSDAY JULY 12th 2018 at the ASHWORTH 6:00PM to 9:00PM
The Movie Starts at 7:00PM and admission is FREE. That's right FREE. There will be a donation jar if you want to donate, otherwise it's FREE.
I love this pic so much that I'm running it again this week. Ali is clearly stoked and not only is she stoked about going to the movie, she's also in it!
This woman, Erica Nardone is one of the main players in the movie. If you know her story, you know what I'm talking about. She has overcome some serious obstacles in her life. And the movie will highlight some of that.
Now these two woman have made a major impact on the movie. Becca Speak and Martha Lardent. Becca for her surfing and her youthful stoke for surfing and Martha for her photography and video work. I could not have made this movie without both of their valuable input. Martha's footage is some of the best in the entire movie.
I admit I was blown away when I saw her footage. All shot on 4K and with her $400 camera. Who needs to spend thousands of dollars on some fancy RED camera (I would if I could afford it) when you can get the quality that Martha has captured on her camera.
Click on the image above to read the story in this week's Seacoast On Line about the movie. Max Sullivan has done an outstanding job in telling the story about the movie without giving away too much detail. Max Sullivan is not a surfer, yet he was able to convey the story about these women, who brave our most severe conditions both in the water, and the boy's attitude towards women surfers in general. There once was a time a mere 20 years ago when women surfers were rare in these parts. The story of all of that is in the movie and Max was able to whet the appetite of the readers and viewers.
I can't believe how far this young woman has come in just the last few years. Maddie Ryan is a 15yr old Maine surfer who has made leaps and bounds in both the competitive side of surfing and the "soul side" of surfing. In fact, Maddie was out in 15' to 18' surf in Puerto Rico this past winter. She surfed a well known Big wave spot called Tres Palmas in PR that is known for it's massive surf. Young Maddie is fearless. And she can rip! I only wish I was there when she dropped into some of those beasts. Oh well, I'm sure I'll have the opportunity again.
I first saw Maddie surf about 5 years ago when she was out with her mom Rachel (who's a great surfer and in the movie)
and her dad Bill who's a good surfer himself. I could see the potential in Maddie's surfing immediately. So when I decided to pull the trigger on making this movie, it was a no brainer that Maddie and Rachel would be in the film.
So I posted a couple of weeks ago the list of women I am dedicating the movie to. This woman Janice Cassidy, is one of them. Janice was a true surfer. I would see her paddle out on some serious days at the Wall before I knew who she was. I was impressed with her determination in paddling through those walls of whitewater that is prevalent with surfing the Wall.
She was undeterred in her efforts to punch through those waves to get outside. Most surfers will tell you, that surfing is all about "paddling". If you can't paddle, you'll never be able to get out, and you certainly won't be able to catch a wave.
Well, Janice could paddle. And she was not a quitter. I can remember watching her down at 8th street while I was paddling out at 10th Street. I would look down the beach to see where she was, when the sets came. And more times than not, she was pushing through those waves.
She was killed riding her motorcycle one summer night, when a deer ran out in front of her. She swerved to avoid the deer, and unfortunately hit a stone wall.
And just like that, this young mother, daughter, and surfer
was gone.
She may be gone, but she'll never be forgotten.
This might be one of my favorite photos of the movie. in fact, it may very well be one of my favorite photos I have ever taken. That's Becca Speak heading out to one of our pointbreaks. She's alone and there's something about the whole photo that I really like. The muted colors, the wave itself, the wild flowers spilling down the rocky ledge, the way Becca is standing there holding her board as she navigates over the rocky bottom.
This is New Hampshire at it's finest. I'm seriously thinking, this might be the back cover photo for the DVD when it comes out in the Fall.
This video frame grab? Five young girls dragging their soft-tops out into some serious surf. None of them made it out. But I often wonder how many of them tried this again. And if they did, did they catch the buzz? Because this is where it starts. It's not easy being a surfer, and it's especially not easy being a woman surfer from Northern New England. It takes a lot of courage and determination to be a surfer from New England. Multiply that by 10 and you get some idea what it's like to be a woman surfer from here.
" Women and Girls Surfing, Heals All Wounds."
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This is Hannah Vokey, one of the surfers in the GRANITE GIRLS. Hannah is hands down the most talented surfer I know (besides her husband). She surfs, skates, and paints. That's her painting on the Granite Girls poster. I love that painting. Her interviews in the moving are honest and sincere. We're lucky to have her in the community. 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
So I finally got to meet Lily this past week. I met her on the fourth of July at a friend's house. Rob and Leah Piersiak and their pride and joy on July 4th. Leah is in the GRANITE GIRLS. She started surfing when my daughter started.
Leah still surfs today. I have no doubt what so ever that Lily will be following in mom's shoes (or should I say booties) when she gets old enough to surf. How can she not? Her grandfather is one of the BEST in New England, and her uncle can surf circles around most people. So yeah, Lily is gonna be a surfer. It's inevitable.
The look of new parents. It never gets old for me.
Speaking of never getting old. This is my buddy Rick Evans. I've known Rick and his wife Karen for many many years. Rick turned 65 this week. Now some of you might think 65 to be "wicked old" while others (like myself), chuckle at 65. I've got Rick by a few years, and look, we are both in good company. Rick is one of a handful of us that still live and surf here in Hampton. I've watched all three of their kids grow up here. They are all part of the surf community here on the seacoast. I love the whole Evans clan.
His party was great. All of his kids were there, and all of his friends were there too. We had the grandkids this weekend and we had to bring them along. Our oldest grandchild Avery took a liking to Mikey Evans, and Mikey being the great individual he is played with her for hours.
Like I said, we LOVE the Evans family.
OK, I have to comment on this. Or rather, I'll let him speak for himself. This is all TRUE. Verbatim on what he said in Montanna this week. Seriously, who talks like this?
God help us all.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
I know I know. But please. The shit that comes out of his mouth? I swear I cringe with embarrassment every time he speaks. So I have to think, there must be someone, or something, that is making him say the shit he says. By either pulling the invisible strings, or dropping a mickey into his drink. Or maybe, just maybe the devious KSM has something to do with it. Do you see what I see? Why if that isn't the little Terrorists himself in the crowd I'll be a camel's uncle. How the hell did he once again get out of GITMO to make this rally? How? How? Hell you know how. It's called Photoshop people. Photoshop.
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 Elton John Records
at Home Depot this week.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA July 4th, 2018!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rick Evans July 2nd, 2018!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Beth Harrington July 2nd, 2018!
REST IN PEACE Stan Brown WWII Vet Age 91.
CONGRATS to Leah and Rob on the birth of their new daughter
Lily Katherine Piersiak June 22nd, 2018.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Cory Fatello June 30th, 2018!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dave "Crop" Cropper June 30th, 2018.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kyle Linseman June 30th, 2018!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mike Sidebottom June 30th, 2018!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Mike Tyson June 30th, 2018!
FYI Lenny Nichols is looking for someone or someones to take over the ESA-NNE District. Please contact Lenny Nichols
by calling his cell (603) 944-2418
THE GRANITE GIRLS and The River Women showing at the ASHWORTH By The Sea on Hampton Beach this Thursday July 12th. Admission is FREE. Pass the word. We are going to make history this night!
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo
from any of the weeks on RPOTW.
Johnny A is old friend of mine. He's also one of the most talented and innovative guitarists on the planet. I can't tell you all enough just how good he is. But those of you who know me know that I don't say things like this about anyone unless it's true. Trust me. JOHNNY A is great!
CLICK ON THE IMAGE to BUY Tix. I'll be there.
Remember
my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
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