The TEMPORARY Home at 62 Lafayette Rd in North Hampton, NH Tel. (603) 929-7467

TROPICAL STORM PHILIPPE.
ISRAEL HAMAS WAR. PATRIOTS LOSE WORSE TEAM IN THE NFL.


This has been one hell of a week. First and foremost the TS Philippe hitting on a Sunday really threw me off course. As you all are aware, I typically post on Sundays or early Mondays. But with a swell of that magnitude I knew I’d have to push back til Tuesday. But like my wife said to me, “So what if you’re late every now and then? What are they (you the readers) going to do? Fire you?” I laughed at that. And I suppose it’s true. The only real concern I should have is my paying sponsors. But come on, I do this Blog every single week. If I’m late a day or two? I think you can give me a break every now and then. Besides come next April 15th, 2024 there’s big changes coming.

The pic of Mackey V above was featured on SURFLINE .

But back to the TS Philippe swell. Man, those waves were second to only Hurricane Lee. I mean there was size and it was clean. And unlike Lee, it was sunny and bright all day long. The only real comparison was the crowds. They were there in huge numbers. From Canada to NJ and NY. They came to the Granite State to sample the perfection. The problem is, the same problem there always has been. In those crowds are lots of beginners. You know the word. Kooks. No matter how you spell it, the word means clueless. And with that clueless mindset people can and do get hurt. Not to mention major dings in your boards.



Look, there are certain breaks out there where beginners should not be paddling out to. The pic above is of Markey J helping Johnny JIM Meehan
after Johnny broke his board in half during TS PHILLIPPE.

I’ve used this comparison before, but if you think in terms of skiing and snowboarding in our mountains, you know, that there is a coded color system in place. Green circles, blue squares, and black diamonds. If you are a green circle, you should not be paddling out at a spot that is a black diamond. The reason is obvious. You are not ready for that spot. The other reason is those that have been surfing longer and better than you have to deal with your poor decision making. And that is where the problems start. The yelling and screaming. And worse.

So what do you do if you’re a beginner? Find a less popular spot. Go surf a beach break. Learn like we all did. The hard way. Just because you can paddle out in the channel at some of these black diamond breaks, does not mean that YOU should be out there. Last Sunday I saw a young woman surfer who knows how to surf, take a board in her face because some “Kook” bailed on the wave and let his board go. Her board was also seriously damaged because of this Kook move. You need to know your limitations. Nobody is saying you can’t surf these spots in the future, but during your early adult formative years, you need to stay clear of those who know what they are doing. Once you get a handle on the sport/lifestyle, then you can take your place in the lineup. Otherwise, you are a danger to yourself, and others. So please, think twice before you paddle out on a big day at one of the name breaks up here.

This (above) has been a Public Service Announcement. Or a Public Surfers Announcement.





These are two photos of the same person doing the same move by two different photographers. The pic of Kody Grondin at the top was taken by me. The pic of Kody Grondin on the bottom was taken by Dina Crawford. The pic of me and Dina was taken by Cory Fatello. Back in the day the late Ed O'Connell and I were always taking these "mirror" shots. There's actually several "mirror" shots in Dina's gallery and my late afternoon gallery from the TSW Philippe swell on Sunday October 8th, 2023. Go check 'em out.



This is one. Dina shot this pic of Matt Colby on Sunday October 8th, 2023. Now go find almost the exact shot by me in my late afternoon gallery. It's pretty damn cool (so says me).

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.

ED'S CORNER October 15th, 2023



This is yours truly surfing the remnants of TS Nicole on October 2nd, 2010. I'm riding a board that I can no longer ride. I stopped riding shortboards in 2018. I still surf, but only on longboards. Though I admit I sure do miss being able to ride a shortboard.
Age and gravity have caught up to me. As it does to all of us.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

COMING THIS FALL (November-December-January). The long awaited book that I have been writing the last 10 years or so. Yes, there will be a book signing. And I will let you all know in advance, where and when. The book will be available in both hard cover and soft cover on AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, INGRAM, GOOGLE BOOKS, and KOBO PUBLISHING.

It's been a long time coming. I'm pretty stoked about this project.
72 years in the making. So please be patient with me and stay tuned. The book is coming. It's just taking longer than I had originally anticipated. But it's coming.



Most of my close friends have heard some of these stories first hand. But trust me, with over 100 stories, there's a handful that none of you have ever heard. It's true. Be patient my friends. It's all coming in the fall of 2023. Just in time for the holidays.

ISRAEL HAMAS WAR



The other big story of the week is the ISRAEL HAMAS WAR. Good lord, just when you thought you’d seen it all. I had finally become numb to the war in UKRAINE when this shit hit the fan. The pain and suffering we have all witnessed this week has been unbelievable. Where to even start? There was so much evil going on Saturday October 7th, 2023 that it was hard to focus on one single aspect of it all. The bottom line is HAMAS is pure evil. Just like ISIS. And HEZBOLLAH. The Middle East is on fire again. And it’s only going to get worse before it gets better.

I’ve often compared the ISREALIS as Yellow jackets. If you mess with their hive? They are coming for you. No question. They are coming for you. HAMAS had to have known that. Hell, the whole world knows that. And 1ith 20 something Americans killed? And some 14 Americans among the 150 hostages? It’s only going to get worse. They are going to have to go house to house to find them. It’s going to be a bloodbath on both sides.

We are all going to witness horrific battle scenes this coming week and the next.

And all of this lies directly on the shoulders of HAMAS. They and only they are to blame for what is happening and what is coming. And make no mistake about it, it’s coming. The big question is, Will IRAN interfere? Because if they do? The US will get involved. This war has the potential to escalate and get bigger than anything we’ve seen since 9/11 and the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT). Back when I was the Commander of the Veterans Post here on the seacoast, and I had recently spearheaded the GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM Monument in front of our post, I was asked by a reporter. “What are you going to do when the GWOT is over.”
My answer back then in 2006 is the same today. “There are terrorists, that have not been born yet, that our grandchildren will be fighting in the future.” And that is true.

HAMAS, Al QEADA, HEZBOLLAH, ABU SAYYAF, and all the others are never going away.

They are constantly thinking of ways to attack the Free world. It is 24-7. The plotting, the meetings, the recruiting. It’s all never ending. Though, I think for the most part, that we are all accustomed to it. I know Israel is. And since 9-11 we are to a certain degree. Though, it appears that Israel let their guard down on this latest attack. And that was a cold wake up slap in the face call. And it should be for all of us. There’s evil in this world. And judging by the hundreds of thousands of Arab protesters supporting HAMAS in Baghdad today? We are so far from world peace that it’s not even worth mentioning. And I really hate to bring this up again, but I feel pretty strong about it.

We are all going to witness in our lifetime, a nuclear bomb, or device go off somewhere in this world. And we will see it a hundred times on TV because, every person on the planet has a cellphone and they document everything that happens. I know you can just picture it. People pulling out their cellphones, and taking video of the giant mushroom cloud and posting it on Facebook and Instagram before the next one gets launched. And that will be the end of times for humanity.

Or as Porky Pig once said “That’s All Folks!”

I hope I’m wrong. Dead wrong. But some of you out there believe this too. Buckle up kids things are gonna get bumpy up ahead.

WE LOST ANOTHER GAME. WE ARE NOW 1-5. LAST PLACE.



Oh how the mighty have fallen. Bill Belichick is in unchartered waters.



PATRIOTS LOSE TO RAIDERS 21-17
The New England Patriots are now 1-5. That’s one win and 5 losses. This is the worse record since Bill Belichick came to New England. This loss to the Las Vegas Raiders has almost left me with a loss of words. Facing off against Josh McDaniels and Jimmy Garoppolo was one thing, but whenever Jimmy G got injured and in came Brian Hoyer? Yes the same Brian Hoyer who played for New England for 8 years. I knew right then and there, that we were gonna lose again. And Mac Jones had moments to redeem himself from the last 4 weeks, like that long pass to DeVante Parker when they were down by 2 pts late in the 4th qtr, and Parker dropped the ball. The ball was perfectly thrown, and Parker had both hands on it. But he dropped the ball. Once again the Cracker Jack Box Kid went down in defeat.

The season is lost. But more importantly? I think we are seeing the end of Belichick and certainly the end of Mac Jones. And not for nothing, but the Bill O’Brien Experience ain’t working either. Hard to believe that we are this bad, after being so good for 20 years. Pretty sad. Thank God for surfing.

“SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

And keeping in line with last week's KSM. With Kevin McCarthy out as SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, the latest GOP nominee is Mr Sunshine himself, Jim Jordan. Though there's a bunch of GOP members (with hearts and souls) who do not like this man. And really who could blame them. And with the war in the Middle East? The GOP is floundering around like a boat without an oar. And this guy? He's not exactly Mr Rogers. I'm thinking it's back to the drawing table (again).



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 HOW TO BE LESS HATED AND MORE LIKE MR. ROGERS Handbooks at the Home Depot this week.

HEAL QUICKLY Tony Berardini from ankle surgery.
HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY PATCH SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2023!
HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY Evamarie October 19rd, 2023!
HAPPY 36th ANNIVERSARY CORY 10-10-23!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Markey J October 11th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Johnny "JIM" Meehan Oct. 12th, 2023!
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Please keep LOCAL LEGEND Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.

Finally, I'm calling this a special request.
LOCAL SURFER/MUSICIAN PETE KOWALSKI NEEDS A KIDNEY. A TYPE A KIDNEY. PLEASE if you know anyone with a Type A Kidney please contact me at ralph@adlantic.com

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. Surfing Is Supposed to be Fun.

Ralph

34 YEARS AGO. HURRICANE GABRIELLE HITS NEW ENGLAND.
For those of us who were around in 1989 up here in New England, HURRICANE GABRIELLE was one of the biggest and best hurricanes to ever grace our coastline. I got hurt during this swell, I ruptured my ear drum out in the big surf. I told my wife who was pregnant at the time, "If this baby is a girl, we should name her "Gabrielle" and we can call her Gabby."And that's exactly what we did when Gabby was born in May of 1990.
Photo by Ray Hackett
*Click on the photo above to see a larger image

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.

All photos taken this week unless otherwise noted.

Today- TS PHILIPPE Sunday October 8th, 2023.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) The waves from TS Philippe were almost as good as LEE.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to see the Menu and other
important info on their Somerville restaurant and all the
other AMERICAN FLATBREAD locations.

(Above) Johnny "JIM" Meehan was on it first thing and charging.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Mike "LORD OF THE DINGS" Stanek was getting bombs and hoping for Big Dings from broken boards. TS Philippe Sunday
October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Lenny Nichols driving hard before he lost his middle fin.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

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.

(Above) This is Bruno Fernandes taking off deep and steep.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Watching the sets and pointing out the carnage.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to see the NEW SURFER'S JOURNAL

DIPG THE CURE STARTS NOW
To learn more about Evan and his journey click here  https://thecurestartsnow.org/sup.../view-heroes/evan-austin/

(Above) Pev angling into a heaving set wave. Pev got his share of bombs.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) John "Duffy" McCarthy knifing thru the pack at the Hill on a beauty.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Johnny "JIM" Meehan on a familiar right hander.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

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.
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(Above) The Philippe swell was pulsing from first light.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) It's always about the waves. And you all know how much I love empty waves. TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
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The VINNY Band was around from 1976 to 1984




July 30th, 1979 headlining the Paradise Club
In Boston, MA

(Above) I shot this pic as I was driving away. The last of the morning session.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- TS PHILIPPE Sunday Afternoon October 8th, 2023.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) I guess this is as close to an AD on the Blog as I'll get.
TS Philippe Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Brian BMO Morse setting up on a beautifully groomed left.
TS Philippe Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The art of Donna Baldassari

Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.

(Above) Kody Grondin impacted in a Philippe beachbreak barrel.
TS Philippe Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Weston Rogers perfect positioning on a hollow left.
TS Philippe Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Mackey V on a wave that was featured in the SWELL STORY on SURFLINE. TS Philippe Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The follow up to the pic above. Mackey V slotted.
TS Philippe Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Matt Colby ripping a turn off the lip. *This is the mirror shot by
Dina Crawford. TS Philippe Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

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.

(Above) Backside bottom turn on a heaving TS Philippe right.
Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Late in the day. TS Philippe Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The last wave. TS Philippe Sunday afternoon October 8th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The TS PHILIPPE Pics from the Sniper's Nest.
Sunday October 8th, 2023 Gallery.
Photos by Tony Berardini



(Above) Look! It's Johnny "JIM" Meehan on a Rocking Right.
Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery

(Above) Carving across a Hill right. Sunday October 8th, 2023.
Photo by Tony Berardini *Click on the photo to see the whole gallery




(Above) TS Philippe was one of the better swells this fall.
Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery



(Above) This one is gonna hurt. That heavy lip is looking like it's gonna do some damage of this Goofy foot's head.
Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery

Click on this image to visit Driftwood Photography

"GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A KICK IN THE ADS"
Since 1985.

Everybody has a story to tell

Today- TS PHILIPPE Sunday Afternoon October 8th, 2023.
Photos by Dina Crawford





(Above) Kody Grondin sitting back and enjoying the views.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery




(Above) Fully extended Perry Reynolds. TS Philippe
Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery




(Above) Kody Grondin ripping a killer backhand carve.
TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery



(Above) Mackey V hand dragging for the hollowness. TS Philippe
Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery




(Above) James Morse leaning into a late afternoon TS Philippe right.
Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery


Today- TS Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023
Photos by K.D. Durham



(Above) That's a serious rip. The morning session T.S. Philippe
Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by KD Durham
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery



(Above) This swell was not as big as Lee but it sure was pretty.
The morning session T.S. Philippe Sunday October 8th, 2023.
Photo by KD Durham *Click on the photo to see the whole gallery



(Above) Joe Bouchard in a deep dark Philippe hole. T.S. Philippe
Sunday October 8th, 2023. Photo by KD Durham
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery

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

(Above) Jersey boy Geoff Haenn is on the IR list but still managed to squeeze a few off with his camera. TS Philippe October 7th, 2023.
Photo by Geoff Haenn
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) On Monday morning there were still some fun chest high waves from TS Philippe . October 9th, 2023. Photo by Christine Freeman.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

He's more than just a good photographer

(Above) All Rise: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session. The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. Case # 745 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.

Click on this image above to buy this book
and more cool KING'S X merchandise and music

I see some more fun waves at the end of the week

I'm picking Today October 16th, 2023 as the best of the week!

October 15th, 2023

"Oh boy, this one's gonna hurt."

(ABOVE) I don't know who this guy is that's stuck in the lip, I just know I'm glad it wasn't me. TS Philippe October 8th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH



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