I sometimes drift away from the actual origin of this blog. Which is, as most of you know, all about surfing. I get caught up in the holidays and the unusual news stories that permeate our airwaves. Both local, nationally, and internationally. It's hard not to get distracted with all the insanity that goes on in our world. But the last few weeks have directed my attention, and most importantly my cameras back to the ocean. And more specifically surfing.

And not just surfing. But the true art of longboarding.



And I am old enough to remember some of the greats in longboarding.
Like Phil Edwards, seen above. I loved Phil Edward's style. And any long boarder worth his salt would have to agree. That Edwards, turned surfing up on it's ear back in the day.

Prior to Edwards showing up on the California beaches, everyone was basically riding straight in on their longboards. It was Edwards who showed the world that surfing can be done by adding a few turns here and there, not to mention getting "tubed" and cutting back.



And Phil Edwards didn't just turn heads in California, he did the same on the North Shore of Oahu. In fact, Edwards was the first to ride Pipeline. The very first. I mean are you shitting me? Talk about being a pioneer. Phil was the man for as long as I can remember back in the late 50's and early 60's. He opened the doors for every single longboarder who came after him.

Including this man. Mikki "Da Cat" Dora. The first rebel of surfing.



If you never heard of Mikki Dora stop reading this blog right now. Go and google Mikki Dora and read up on the history of our lifestyle. When you get enough knowledge about Dora you can come back and read the rest of this blog. For those who know of Dora know that he was one unique individual, who was not only an animated character, but someone who could really surf.



And yes, I'm talking about longboarding, with the absolute coolest style.

Again, I am old enough, and quite frankly lucky enough, to have lived and surfed through the reign of both Edwards and Dora. And I was one of the most stoked "gremmies" that ever lived, when the grand daddy of all surf movies hit the big screen. Talking about the "Endless Summer."



This man, Robert August and his partner Mike Hynson changed the surf world again. And this time it went viral (before you ever heard the word viral). The ENDLESS SUMMER helped inspire a whole generation of surfers around the world. Surfers and filmmakers went out to discover their own Cape St Francis.

I was one of them, as were all of my friends. Last summer was the 50th anniversary of the Endless Summer. It warms my heart to know that Robert is still surfing today. And yes, he's surfing on a longboard.



So maybe it is an Endless Summer for all of us too.

Due to the massive list of great longboarders I am going to only talk about a handful. There are the aforementioned greats, Edwards, Dora, and August and about a thousand more longboarders who made both a name for themselves, and they created a huge impact on surfing.

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting some Longboard Pros who came to Cinnamon Rainbows. Guy Takayama, CJ Nelson, Harley Ingleby, and Austin Hollingshead. All good guys and great longboarders. I particularly liked Austin's surfing. He surprised me the most. His style reminded me of the original longboarders. Very fluid, and very agile in his walking to and from the nose.



I know I have said this in the past, but it's worth repeating. If you are going to walk to the nose, you better know how to walk back from the nose. Austin has that handle down pat. These are frame grabs from the video I shot of them.



Austin was a pleasure to watch surf, And he was a very social individual. I hope he comes back to sample our waves.

After the pros left town, I couldn't help but think about the local talent of longboarders we have here. And the list is long. And look, before I list any, if I missed you, it's not because I think you're not worthy, it's simply because of my aging brain. In other words, I forgot.

But from my best recollection of current good longboarders and again I am judging on the nose aspect, riding and walking to the nose and back. There are plenty of you (like me) who ride a longboard, but we're not "Real" longboarders who can do it all. We just ride longboards. Nothing wrong with that.

My list of good local longboarders are as follows: Mikey Moran, Mikey Evans, Kyle Linseman, Nick "Pev" Pervada, Kevin and Kody Grondin, Stevie O'Hara, Mike "Zappy" Paugh, Billy Ritchie, Kai Nichols, Perry Reynolds, and the one woman longboarder who's going to the nose and back...Julie Jakoboski.



One of our best and most proficient longboarders we have. Mikey Moran. Mikey is the master. The first real longboarder who only rode boards of length. A true longboarder who can still surf this good today.



Speaking of Mikeys. This is Mikey Evans. Somewhere and somehow along the last few years or so, Mikey Evans became obsessed with longboarding. Today he is one of our best. Because both Mikeys missed my latest longboard edit, I am planning on doing a special edit of both Mikeys. I'm calling it M&M. The first decent waist to chest high clean sunny day, I'm gonna start the shooting.



And this man. Kyle Linseman one of our best longboarders. He and his buddy Pev are the two stars in my latest Longboard edit No Pro. Just scroll down to the video section to check out his smooth and graceful moves on "Big Red". Like Mikey Moran and Mikey Evans, Kyle knows what he's doing on a longboard. No question about it. Watch the video and decide for yourselves.

"Surfing On a Longboard Heals All Wounds"

I know that harry is not going to be happy about this pic. But I didn't take it. The late great Ed O'Connell did, and honestly? I'm glad he did. At first glance it appears that Harry has been hit by a sniper. Or he is being felled by a massive heart attack. Thankfully he was only falling face first in front of his longtime chum, Kevin "Doc" Grondin. When I found this pic in the archives, I gave a wink to the skies in hoping that Ed saw me.

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.

Some images of my latest Longboard Movie NoPro



The first local longboard edit from 2016. No Pros. All Locals.



Kyle Linseman is a great local longboarder.



Pev is also one of the best local longboarders we have.



Julie is one of the best women longboarders we have.

On Saturday May 21st, 2016 the 2nd Annual McCarthy Strong Walk will kick off from the American Legion Post 35. Click on the image below to see a larger version of this.



The McCarthy name is legendary here on the Seacoast. Please join us in this walk and FIGHT against Cancer.



Never seen these two before? Well hell, you have got to make the time to slip down and grab a Flatbread, and listen to some original cover tunes. Believe it or not, Rich and I have played in bands together off an on since 1986. That's 30 fricking years!

We played in front of 25,000 people at the Meadow lands in 86 and we have been playing off and on ever since. We always have fun. And so would you. So get your arses down there. It's free (the music). You still have to pay for the food and drink. But the jokes and the music are all free.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
So once again, it's the Donald's Trump Show. This week The Donnie met with The Ryan and it appears that they are now
sort of heading in the same direction.



If TRUMP is the presumptive GOP front runner. Mr Ryan and company better get on-board, or that train is sure to crash.

The beasts that roared. Though I must say, I can't stand to hear that horse toothed Jack Ass Hillary scream anymore. Good lord her voice is painful. No wonder Bill had to get out of the house. Can't imagine what that would be like.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Now it's no secret that KSM wants what we all want.
Especially his freedom, but he's sort of got a hankering for trying out surfing. So the guards let him out to catch a few waves at Gitmo Beach. "Hey looked at me! I am a now a suffer!" Hmm mm. I don't know, what do you guys think?



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 KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self must pick up a case of sex wax at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY All May Babies!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Brylee May 22nd, 2016
RIP Rabbit Kekai at 95 on Friday May 13, 2016 .
Please Pray for a NH Icon from the Seacoast. North Beach Matriarch Jane McCarthy is needing some love and prayers. Jane is the mother of Duffy McCarthy and the whole McCarthy clan. She's been a fixture on the Wall forever.
You all have seen her, you might not know her, but trust me, she has seen you all. And please continue to 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!

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) And this pic? It's the reflection and the mood of the image. Early morning emptiness. MVF headed for work. Tuesday, May 10th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I posted this pic on facebook the day I shot it and Terence Kirby was bombarded with compliments. Tuesday, May 10th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Elizabeth Ann said this session was one of the best of her life.
Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is Erik Zak. It's funny he said he was out on a yellow longboard. I wasn't sure if I got any of him until I got back to my office. Looks like I gotcha Erik! Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Jared Hay thinking he's on a shortboard. Monday, May 9th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) This guy made it look warmer than it was. Monday, May 9th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Three Days of Perfection. Mother's Day
May 8th, 2016 Photos by RALPH



(Above) Not sure who this is. But I know he was giving me the stink eye.
Sunday May 8th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) But in my honest opinion, the rights were the best.
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The SEQUENCES May 8-9-10, 2016
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Mikey Moran showing you all why he's still the man.
May 8th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Kyle perched on the nose like a hood ornament. May 9th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery