March 5th, 2023 The RUN is 14 out of 14 Weeks.
Waist high or better at least once a week.
There were BIG overhead waves on February 28th, 2023.
And beautiful overhead to head high waves on 3-1-23
And BIG Storm surf on March 4th, 2023
THE RECORD FOR THE MOST CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IN A ROW FOR WAIST HIGH OR BETTER. August 8th, 2021 was 53 WEEKS! TOPPING THE 43 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS SET IN 2009! |
Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously.
By 10AM. Make sure they are 1300 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me.
Thank you.
Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics. |
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THE NH CHRONICLE PIECE ON THE BLOG.
MARCH COMES MARCHING IN LIKE A LION!
PLUS MORE PICS AND VIDS OF THE LATEST SWELLS FROM LAST WEEK.
NH CHRONICLE Channel 9 WMUR TV
On Valentines Day February 14th, 2023 Sean Mcdonald and Paul Falco from WMUR Channel 9 Chronicle came to Hampton to tape a segment on me and my Blog. Luckily, there was surf, and a couple of locals who happened to show up at the Wall to provide some local color, as well as scoring a few waves. The segment is going to run on Monday, March 6th, 2023 at 7:00PM on Channel 9.
Thank you Sean and Paul, you were both very professional and personable. I felt really comfortable around you both. And of course thank you Kody and Mackey. That was fun. And I know you both had fun too. How could you not? The surf was firing out there.
That's tomorrow night at 7:00PM on Channel 9 WMUR.
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Ed O'Connell was one of the most loved surf photographers in New England. A US ARMY Vietnam Veteran who saved the lives of so many ARMY Grunts in Nam in 68-69 as a Medic on board those Dust Off Hueys.
He was a dear friend of mine. When he passed on July 1st, 2014 I swore I'd keep his memory and legacy alive by giving him this weekly corner. He loved surfing and he loved taking photos of all the surfers. Not just those who could really stand out. He shot every one. As long as I shall live and breathe the salt air, there will be a corner dedicated to Ed.
This is me in March of 2008. I'm surfing at the Wall. I'm pretty sure I've posted this before, but I thought I'd repost it because I love the gull flying by me. Plus with this whole NH Chronicle thing on Monday, I knew Ed would want to post a pic of me actually surfing. Because? I am still and always will be, a surfer.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.
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Johnny Magro 1971 in Puerto Rico
The LOCAL LEGEND story on Johnny Magro last week prompted a bunch of his peers to send in pics and talk story. The Cyr brothers Al and Jim originally from Nahant, MA and then Hawaii and Florida, sent in some cool pics. They are currently down in the photo section. Just click on any of the web thumbnails to see their gallery. There's some cool stuff to check out.
A good surfer/Marine friend of mine Eric Palmer who used to live and work in Wilmington, MA had no idea that there was a surf shop there.
So he did some quick Google searching and found this.
Ha ha. He was pretty stoked and quite frankly, totally surprised by it all. Yes
there was a bona fide surf shop in Wilmington, MA. A good hour's drive to the ocean. In fact, there used to be a surf shop om Rte 128 in Massachusetts. They sold EAST COAST CONTENDERS in the early to mid 1960's.
Asa Brebner Tribute Show Sunday March 5th, 2023
I don’t play out very often these days. But when I do? I play with my peers from back in the day. This is a tribute to one of the most prolific singer songwriters in Boston Rock and Roll. Asa Brebner. My brother Johnny is joining me onstage. We haven’t played together in the city since the days of The NOR’EASTERS. It’s going to be a show for the ages. Thank you Larry Newman for putting this together.
The show is tonight. Sunday March 5th, 2023 at 7:00 PM.
The Back Room at The Burren in Davis Square, Somerville, MA
I believe I am going on third. So somewhere around 7:15PM.
My brother Johnny is playing with me, and Larry Newman is playing bass,
with the Asa's Angels girls singing back up.
MARCH COMES MARCHING IN LIKE A LION!
I take sole responsibility for these back to back snow storms. It’s true. I complained in January that the winter was more like Spring than winter. I had gone out and bought a brand new snow blower and for the first time in my life, I went out and purchased 25 snow stakes. For those of you who don’t know what a snow stake is, it’s an orange painted metal stake, that goes into the ground to alert the snow plow drivers where my lawn ends. So my reverse voodoo of having a mild winter came back to bite me in the butt. My apologies.
To my fellow snowblowers and shovelers. Do you wait until the last flake drops before you hit the driveway? Or do you attempt to lessen the task, by doing several strikes throughout the storm? Me? I will wait until it’s over, and then I hit it hard. Real hard.
MARCH 1st, 2023 THE SURF CAME MARCHING IN
The waves have been great in 2023 so far. January, February, and now March have had some memorable swells. So we really can't complain. Spoiler alert. It's gonna snow in the winter. We all know that from day one.
We all know it's gonna snow and we all know there's gonna be surf.
Happy 3rd Birthday Zorro "Z" March 18th, 2023. I ran him last week for the first time since his injury. He was happy to get the cone off his head.
One more promo piece for the NH Chronicle piece airing
tomorrow night.
That's Mackey V at the Wall surfing Hurricane Maria from 2015.
“SURFING AND SURF PHOTOGRAPHY HEALS ALL WOUNDS.”
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Happy Birthday Joe. He would have turned 73 today.
March 2nd, 1950. I wrote this song about him in the 80's and my band The NOR'EASTERS recorded this song back in the early 90's. Joe and I were best friends in the mid to late 70's.
He passed away in 1978 from exposure to Agent Orange while serving deep in the jungles and mountains of Vietnam in 1969. Joe was a bona fide hero. I could write a book about what he did during the war. We did everything together. With Surfing and music being the two main interests of our lives. Joe would buy all the new and obscure music that came out. He loved The GROUNDHOGS. And we were both HUGE Hendrix fans. Joe saw Hendrix in the Village before he was popular.
And when Robin Trower came out we were all in. I so wished he lived long enough to see me open for Trower twice in Boston. One at the Paradise and the other at The Channel. He would have had backstage passes. And I will never forget the night we first saw footage of the SEX PISTOLS. We looked at each other and went crazy with laughter and excitement. The Pistols were right up his alley. He would have loved to have been there for the whole Punk scene in Boston and in NY.
We were two Vietnam vets who loved surfing and Rock & Roll.
He was solely responsible for me to continue to play the guitar in the early 70's when I was given an "ultimatum" by the person I was with at the time. She wanted me to quit surfing, and quit playing Rock and Roll, and to get a real job. Say what?
Joe basically told her to "F--- off!" He told me "You have talent, keep playing that guitar, and we're going to surf forever!"
Thank God I listened to him. Can you imagine? Quit surfing? Stop playing the guitar? WTF?
The video is a collection of stills and old super 8mm movie clips of Joe and our old surf crew (Kevin and Kim Grondin, Norm Murphy, Robin Rowell, Jeff Obst, Jay Hammer, and all the others) back in the early to mid 70's. Had he lived long enough, he and Moira would have made a wonderful couple, and raised a beautiful family together. Sigh.
The song is performed by my band The NOR'EASTERS.
Ralph Fatello guitar and vocals, Johnny Fatello guitar, Mike White Bass, and Lenny Dunn on the Drums. Recorded by John Carden at Big Cheese in Beverly, MA
CLICK ON THE IMAGE OF JOE to watch the video on YouTube.
*Additional footage from the late Ed O'Connell
(another Vietnam Veteran).
** I am willing to bet that Joe and Johnny Magro knew each other. Had Joe lived long enough, he would clearly be one of the LOCAL LEGENDS. He will be however, the first surfer I post on my IN MEMORIAM Page on the BLOG. I hope to have that page up and running by Memorial Day 2023.
THE 2023 RPOTW CALENDARS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
Featuring pics from every month from last year's Blog.
Email me directly at ralph@adlantic.com or pick one up
at CINNAMON RAINBOWS in North Hampton, NH
The NEW HAMPSHIRE SURF DOCUMENTARY.
A documentary that has been 59 years in the making. Hear from Local Legends Surfers from all over New England talk about New Hampshire. Coming the Summer of 2023
I have to admit. I was genuinely surprised to read on Social Media how many people thought that Alex Murdaugh was innocent. I mean what trial were you watching? The man was/is a pathological liar. Those who said that there was ZERO evidence were clearly not paying attention. However, there was one detainee at GITMO who was tuned into the trial from the get go.
That's right, our boy Khaliddy. Apparently he had at one point been talking with Murdaugh about representing KSM at GITMO. But even The Sheik himself could see that Alex Murdaugh could not be trusted. So he bailed on him. Good thing too, the last thing Khaliddy needs is more bad press. Am I right people? Damn straight I am.
And 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 Murdaugh Books of LAW at Home Depot this week.
HAPPY 73rd BIRTHDAY Joe Somogyi March 2nd, 2023!
REMEMBER THE ALAMO March 6th, 1836 (187yrs ago).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Zorro Fatello
March 18th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gale Brunault March 20-2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Noelle Rizzo March 27th, 2023!
HAPPY Heavenly Birthday Gus Fatello
March 27th, 2023!
HAPPY Heavenly Birthday Angelo Fatello
March 27th, 2023! REST IN PEACE Patricia "PATCHES" Holmes
REST IN PEACE Tom Sizemore age 61 yrs.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Judith and John Rastl 2-23-23!
CONGRATS to Holly and the Linseman family on the birth of new baby girl Reighlynn!
GET WELL SOON Tracey Drane wife of Dustin Devlin.
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Heal quickly Gary Ritchie who's going through PT for a messed up shoulder.
Please keep LOCAL LEGEND Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
Please Keep local surfer Bill M. in your thoughts and prayers.
Finally CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST PATHETIC SONG
EVER RECORDED. Artist: 45 and his cellmates.
SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS!
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 19 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 |
Everybody loves seeing the old pics of surfing. Especially here in Northern New England. If you have any old pics please send them off to me via email or social media. My email is ralph@adlantic.com
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JOHN "JT" TAYLOR Circa 1980's
This is a photo that Johnny Magro took of JT sometime in the early 80's.
I had never seen this pic before, so it was a total but pleasant surprise. I immediately put this pic in the JT folder for my IN MEMORIAM page. JT is one of many NH surfers who left us too soon. We all miss you brother.
Photo by Johnny Magro
*Click on the photo above to see a larger image
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I kept a daily Blog on my CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY surf campaign, when I surfed every single day for 365 consecutive days. Click on the Banner above to read entries of my daily journey. There's some really interesting and true experiences
that happened during that year. Some of which are to this day, unexplainable. Some are just mind blowing. But all true.
I started on July 26th, 2010 and ended on July 26th, 2011.
Some rainy Sunday, pour yourself a cup and go through the journal.
Pay close attention to the month of May in 2011. Read that month and let me know what you think of that. Be forewarned it will change you forever.
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All photos taken this week unless otherwise noted.
Today- THE FIRST OF MARCH SWELL
Wednesday March 1st, 2023 Photos by RALPH
(Above) This is Sawyer Smith on a beautiful right hander.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Click on the ad above to see the Menu and other
important info on their Somerville restaurant and all the
other AMERICAN FLATBREAD locations.
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(Above) This is what we surfers would call perfection.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
The Haffenreffer family have been helping seacoast families
with their holistic health and optimal wellness for decades. |
(Above) Welcome March the 1st.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This boulder has been a concern for all of us since we first started surfing here in the early 70's. Many a board and many a surfer has hit this beast with varying results. Most of them not good. Colby skirting by.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.
Click on the ad above to find out more about
more about local surf artist Stan Chew's art
Clark Little's new book
Click on the ad for more info.
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(Above) This is Kody Grondin pumping his way thru the midsection.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) To connect on the inside section. Kody Grondin.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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The SURFER'S JOURNAL is in a league all of their own.
DIPG THE CURE STARTS NOW
To learn more about Evan and his journey click here https://thecurestartsnow.org/sup.../view-heroes/evan-austin/
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(Above) This is a close up pic of a golden grinding barrel.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
Click on the ad above to find out more about owner
and creator Ryan Jackson and
NH2o's cool selection
of surf related products. |
(Above) Colby's cool carve.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This is not the friendliest spot for the SUP. And I'm talking strictly about the conditions of the bottom and shoreline. But this guy managed to scratch into a few. Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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If you love the Beatles and you love the guitar
click on this ad above for an amazing instrumental
band playing all of your favorite Beatles songs with
the coolest
arrangements. Johnny A is one of the
best guitar players on the planet.
Peter Stokes is one of the BEST guitar techs in
all of North America. He's the BEST guitar tech
in New England.
Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page |
(Above) End up on the wrong side of this peak and you are in for a very
long paddle or swim.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This is clearly overhead.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page
Produced by Steve Sadler.
Visit our Facebook page
The VINNY Band was around from 1976 to 1984
July 30th, 1979 headlining the Paradise Club
In Boston, MA
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(Above) Johnny Reynolds dropping in on an inside slider.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Joe Carter, Brian Nevins, and Nick Lavecchia |
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(Above) Matt Colby carving on the inside wave while three others loom on the horizon with no takers.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Later in the day, Pev takes off a greenish gray left.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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The art of Donna Baldassari
Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.
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(Above) My fellow NH Chronicle subject Mike Rosa.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This is Markey J on one of the better lefts that came through.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Visit Jimmy Dunn's website to find out where and
when he will be performing. |
(Above) This is Colby again. He logged a few water hours this day.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This is Johnny "JIM" Meehan on the meatiest wave of the session.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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I love Erica's whimsical Gull art. So cool and unique.
ONLY THE DURHAM STORE IS OPEN.
Due to the massive fire back in August the
Hampton store is closed. We will let you all
know when SECRET SPOT is back in
operation on the seacoast.
Thank you.
Jon Gozzo and family.
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(Above) This is the follow up pic of the one before. Johnny "JIM" Meehan.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Pev using the luxury of being a Goofyfoot at one of the best left-handers on the planet.
Wednesday March 1st, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Today- THE DAY BEFORE or THE LAST DAY of February. Tuesday February 28th, 2023. Photos by Tony Berardini
(Above) That's Johnny Meehan surfing in nasty conditions. 2-28-23.
Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Johnny Meehan surfing on the last day of February. 2-28-23.
Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) That's me shooting Johnny Meehan 2-28-23.
Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) That's me shooting a selfie on 2-28-23.
Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Click on this image to visit Driftwood Photography
"GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A KICK IN THE ADS"
Since 1985.
Everybody has a story to tell |
(Above) The jacket is called a STORMIE and it's made by AULL DRY.
2-28-23. Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
Today- THE CYR BROTHERS YESTERYEAR GALLERY
March 5th, 2023. Photos by Jim Cyr
(Above) Johnny Magro is on the far right. The boys have SNURFERS
the original snowboards. Photo courtesy of Jim Cyr
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Al Cyr and Mickey Carmody circa 1970's
Hanging out in Nahant. Photo courtesy of Jim Cyr
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Al Cyr, Johnny Magro, and Mickey Carmody circa 1970's
Down in Puerto Rico. Photo courtesy of Jim Cyr
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Al Cyr dropping in at Pinballs on Oahu's North Shore. Pinballs is really the inside break at Waimea Bay. Yes the same Waimea that just held the EDDIE in January. Circa 1980.
Photo courtesy of Jim Cyr
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Al Cyr racing along the bottom at Pinballs on Oahu's North Shore. I surfed Pinballs and it was really a fun wave at this size. Of course the REAL Waimea riders would not be out there but that was the beauty of surfing there. You could literally get it to yourselves. Unless of course there was a new swell rising. If that's the case? All bets are off. Circa 1980.
Photo courtesy of Jim Cyr
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Al Cyr, Johnny Magro, and Mickey Carmody circa 1970's
Hanging out near Maria's in Puerto Rico. Photo courtesy of Jim Cyr
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously.
By 10AM. Make sure they are 1300 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me.
Thank you.
Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics. |
My friend Rick McAvoy from Maine is the creator
behind this unique Surf Company
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(Above) This is a photo from Karen Hoddeson's facebook Page. She takes great sunrise pics here in Hampton's North Beach. March 1st- 2023.
Photo by Karen Hoddeson
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) The surf was big this day. North Beach. March 1st- 2023.
Photo by Karen Hoddeson
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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He's more than just a good photographer
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(Above) All Rise: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session. The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. Case # 716 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK. Click the image above to see the outcome of this Surf Crime and the verdict that was rendered.
Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the outcome
This is what happens if you are found GUILTY. You become invisible.
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Click on this image above to buy this book
and more cool KING'S X merchandise and music
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More waves this week. Sunday and Wed.-Friday 3-5-23 and 3-8-10-23
I picked Today as the BEST day of the week 3-5-23!
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March 5th, 2023
"NO SALUTEY? NO SHOOTEY!" That was my line to Markey J back in December. He used to always salute me when he surfed by me standing on the Rocks, and then one day he didn't see me and he surfed right by me without saluting three times! Ha ha. Now he goes out of his way to salute me.
Love you Markey!
(ABOVE) HAND SALUTE! Photo by RALPH
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