These guys (above) kicked the ever-loving snot out of these guys (below).
ISIS was defeated on Friday March 22nd, 2019. I swear not since the birth of Al Qeada has the world seen a more horrific group of Terrorists than these pieces of Goat shit. I have zero remorse for anyone associated with them. I remember all those horrific video they posted killing innocent civilians (including Americans) by cutting their heads off on live TV.
I know this sounds sick, but this photo gives me immense pleasure. Those are ISIS fighters running around their stronghold while US air strikes and Artillery shells explode around them. May their souls burn in hell forever. Allah Arkbar? I don't think so Homey. Pieces of Donkey shit. And yeah, I know they are still out there. And their mindset and belief is still there. But this? This is sweet.
Now onto more pleasing and uplifting stories.
It has been an absolute pleasure to watch this young man become the man he is today. Kainalu Nichols just returned from Oahu Hawaii after spending a few months surfing the North Shore. There are not enough words to describe how I personally feel about Kai. But suffice it to say, I'm so impressed with him. And not just his surfing. His steady and calm demeanor is rare in this world. And honestly, not many of us saw this coming. I still have vivid memories (and video) of a young Kai being very vocal as a little grom. And by vocal I mean, nobody could yell like Kai. Oh my God. That kid had a built in PA system in those lungs of his. I have hilarious videos of him yelling on the beach.
So to watch him grow (and that boy shot up like a damn weed) into the young, handsome, and mature young man that he's become, is a true testament to his upbringing. His parents Lenny and Arlene need to be credited for doing such a fine job with him. In fact, all of the Nichols children grew up to be kind, considerate, and thoughtful individuals. Kainalu is quiet and reserved on the land, but when he paddles out, he becomes an intense and super focused athlete. His instinctive moves and ability to read any situation comes from years of surfing with his dad and his friends. Lenny and Kevin Grondin helped make Kai into the surfer he is today. I did my part by documenting his growth over the years. I've seen it all happen before my very own eyes.
The older kids Kody, Max, Perry, Colby, Casey, and a handful of others were also there to push him and eventually stand back to watch him take care of business on his own. To have Kainalu Nichols as your friend is a good sign that you too have what it takes to be a real surfer. His uncles in Hawaii have all done their part as well. I guess we could call him the "Golden One" because it does seem that "good waves fortune" follow him from coast to coast.
This is Kainalu in Hawaii last week. This pic was shot by his dad Lenny.
And this pic is Kai from yesterday. He went from the Hawaiian tropical waters to the freezing cold North Atlantic water without skipping a beat. I was so happy to see him. And ecstatic to film him as well. I was thinking about his cool and calm attitude as I was driving home. Most New England Surfers who travel to the tropics for a week or two typically come back and hedge about paddling back out into our "cold as ice" ocean. They will always say "I'm not used to this cold water!" And I would say "You LIVE in New England. You've surfed here your whole life. You spend one week in the tropics and suddenly you're not used to this? " They typically stand there with that puppy dog look on their faces. I bring this up because, I've never heard Kai ever utter those absurd words. He'll spend months in the tropics and then come home and jump back into the frigid waters in New Hampshire and be as stoked as he was when he left. Kainalu Nichols is the REAL DEAL Surfer.
There's a whole gallery of Kai shot by his dad down in the photo section. As well as a very long sequence that I shot of him yesterday. And, there's still the video that Mark Hendry made of Kai down in the video section. It's really well done, and worth watching. Aloha and Welcome Home Brother Kai!
REST IN PEACE Dick Dale. The KING of The Surf Guitar.
Born and raised in Boston Massachusetts, Dick Dale went on to become the quintessential Surf Guitar God. His reverb drenched Fender Stratocaster sound was the inspiration behind many Surf Rock bands back in the early 60's. I went and saw him once in Boston when he was touring during his comeback years. He became hip to the hip Rockers out there.
This is a pretty cool looking pic of Dick dale when he was in his prime.
And if you can find this clip of Dick Dale and Stevie Ray Vaughan playing PIPELINE it's worth watching. The sad thing about this clip is there are so many actors and players who are now deceased. RIP Dick.
I saw this on facebook and thought it was pretty funny. Or maybe not.
And this popped up on my feed in facebook. This is Korey Nolan, and I guess he made a surfboard out of 700 Dunkin Donuts coffee cups. Interesting enough to be included on the Blog thought I. I'm sure you can Google this, or search on the Boston Globe web site. Surfers are a unique tribe. Hey Korey next time you see me shooting, walk up and say hello.
Like most of you out there, I don't understand why 45 continues to bash John McCain. I just don't get it. What good does this do? What is his motivation? Why would he continue to divide this country? Let him be. Leave him and his family alone. The man has been dead for 7 months. STOP TWEETING!!!
The long awaited Mueller report has been dropped off to the AG.
Nobody knows what it contains. I'm sure that both sides of the aisle are holding their collective breaths. One thing that has leaked out, is there are no further indictments. To which I'm sure 45 is gleeful with that news. Here's what I do know. That no matter how this plays out, he will continue to do what he does. Only it may be more intense than anything we have ever witnessed.
To those of you who want to see 45 go down and be impeached, I stand with Nancy Pelosi when she said that "Impeachment will only drive a bigger stake into the heart of our country. And will divide us even more." I don't want anymore dissension than we already have. I just wish he would try and act more presidential instead of the schoolyard bully that he's become.
You're the president of the United States of America. Try acting like one.
Now for something good and uplifting. The 5th Annual McCarthy Strong
"
Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer" walk.
"Surfing, Music, McCarthys and Surfing Heals All Wounds."
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I found this pic of a Goofyfoot longboarder in the Ed files. I'm not sure who this is. But that never really mattered to Ed. So it doesn't matter to me either. The unknown surfer had a friend in Ed O'Connell.
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
How is it that up until two weeks ago I had no idea who these people were? Actually I didn't know who Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin were. Oh and Lori's husband. I didn't know those three.
I did know Felicity's husband. But I only knew him as Frank Gallagher on the show SHAMELESS. And let me just say, to any of you who are not familiar with SHAMELESS? It is every bit of the word and then some.
I'm also unaware of Lori's two daughters. Talk about instant fame. There's a saying Hollywood that I'm sure you're all familiar with. "As long as they are talking about you it's all good." H-m-m-m not so sure about that. Ask the Hallmark channel.
Saw this and had to post it. Ha ha..it's true. And I am a proud alumni of this great school.
My longtime friend and fellow BEATLES fan Cha-Chi Loprette (above at the recent RAIN Show Tribute to the Beatles) is having this unique gathering for all BEATLES fans on this date. If you are any kind of Beatles fan, whether you are a novice or a true dedicated fan (like me) you will want to attend this event. All the pertinent information is here on this flyer. My advice is to BUY your tickets RIGHT NOW, because this will be sold out. It's a small venue, so don't hedge on this. Get on it like a hornet!
This will be a GREAT time for all BEATLES fans! DON'T MISS IT! I'm personally flying in from Puerto Rico that late afternoon, and I'm still going to try and make it. With my new tan and all!
The DVD's are available at all the local surf shops. Or by
sending 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
Or 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.
Well would you Look at this. Is the BLOG really turning 15? It most certainly is. Can you believe it? I mean honestly, can you believe it? FIFTEEN YEARS without missing a single week. Who does that? I'll tell you who. NOBODY does that. I'm the only fool who has committed to writing, shooting, and filming every single week for 15 straight years. I'm not comfortable praising myself like this, but if I don't say something, you'd never know any of this.
Besides, who knows Ralph's Pic better than Ralph? Anybody? Hello? Damn straight. Only RALPH knows RALPH.
Truth be told my friends, it blows my mind that this Blog is still steaming full speed ahead. And this week's Blog has two photographers who don't get enough attention. Lenny Nichols and Maureen McNamara. Check out their pics in this new Blog.
Enjoy this week's BLOG cause when I get back, I'm gonna have all NEW tropical material to share with you. Ciao babies!
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(Above) Same surfer as above but a different break. This is from a very long sequence. Kainalu Nichols.
Friday March 22nd, 2019. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Crowley either giving me the thumbs up or the shaka. Hard to tell in those winter mitts. Stoked to have him back in front of my lens.
Friday March 22nd, 2019. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This my friends is style. You can't teach this. You either have it or you don't. Casey Lockwood has it in spades.
Friday March 22nd, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
Today- The Day Before with my dog Patch.
March 21st, 2019. Photos by RALPH
(Above) When the ice starts to melt cool things start to happen.
Thursday March 21st, 2019. Photo by Ralph
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) When the wind started to blow I felt like I was in the plains out west.
Thursday March 21st, 2019. Photo by Ralph
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This is Patch pointing a Woodcock. He is in the scent cone
and knows that if he takes another step the bird will flush.
Thursday March 21st, 2019. Photo by Ralph
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
Today- The Kainalu files from Oahu, Hawaii.
March, 2019. Photos by Lenny Nichols
(Above) That's what we call the Sandbar Blast. Kainalu Nichols North Shore.
March, 2019. Photo by Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Kainalu Nichols carving off the top of a North Shore wave.
March, 2019. Photo by Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This takes speed and strength. Kai has both.
March, 2019. Photo by Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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