October 22nd, 2023 The RUN is 18 out of 18 Weeks.
Waist high or better at least once a week.
There were waist to chest high waves on Monday 10-16-23
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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SURFERS PADDLE FOR LOCAL SURFER ARTIE ABBOTT. MORE OCTOBER SURF.
PATRIOTS BEAT BILLS IN A STUNNING WIN!
The news of another surfer from the New Hampshire seacoast passing away hit home with a bunch of the older surfers here on the NH Surf Scene. Artie Abbott was 71 years old when he passed on October 16th, 2023. I had known Artie back in the 70's and 80's and only saw him occasionally in the 90's. But other surfers like Stanley Bocko and Charlie Daley knew him well.
We will be having a paddle for Artie on Saturday October 28th, 2023.
His wife Kitsy sent this to me today. "Artie inherited my children who loved him so much. How could you not! He was the “the coolest”! Artie considered them his family, Their names are Whit, Josie, Simon (son-in-law), Akasha and Brooks (grandchildren)."
The thing that I remember about Artie was he was always very nice and calm around me. And the one thing that really stands out is he never dropped in on me and I never dropped in on him. We were very cordial to each other out in the water.
I know that Stan Bocko and Charlie Daly have some good stories.
So if you knew Artie please join us on the beach on Saturday October 28th, 2023 at 12 noon at Rye Rocks (Bass Beach) in Rye NH. If you're a surfer bring your surfboard and a wetsuit and paddle out with us. If you don't surf you can still participate on the beach. All of Artie's friends and family are invited.
If you have never witnessed a surfer's Paddle it is something special and very meaningful to the deceased surfer and their loved ones.
KEEP PADDLING ARTIE. KEEP PADDLING.
ISRAEL HAMAS WAR WEEK 3
They let a convoy of 20 tractor trailers with supplies enter GAZA through Egypt this week. I'm amazed at the amount of protests against Israel this past week. Everything that has happened since October 7th, 2023 is all on HAMAS. This war was started by them, and it will only end when HAMAS is wiped out. And if HEZBOLLAH gets in on the action they too will be wiped out. This war is only going to get worse before it gets better. And as far as I am concerned, we are going to be drawn into this conflict if IRAN and RUSSIA get more involved. Just like what happened 40 years ago this week.
OCTOBER 23rd, 1983 FORTY YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 23rd, 1983 FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY
Beirut Lebanon. That place was seared into the memories of all Marines who were around in the 70’s and 80’s. On October 23rd, 1983 at 6:22AM a suicide bomber behind the wheel of a 19 ton yellow Mercedes truck, filled with explosives, drove through two sentry points at the BLT headquarters for the 8th Marine Regiment, and drove straight into the main lobby, came to a stop and then set off a bomb, that was the biggest bomb blast since Hiroshima. Inside the BLT (Battalion Landing Team) headquarters were 350 sleeping US service men. The blast lifted the entire BLT off its concrete pillars and literally crushed the sleeping service members to death.
When the smoke cleared, 240 Marines were killed.
It
was the single biggest loss of life in a single day, in Marine Corps history. Not since Iwo Jima in 1945, had the Marines suffered such tremendous casualties in a single day. I saw this story unfold on CNN at 0700 as I was getting ready to go surfing. Ironically, Juan Carlos LeCompte (my tour manager from The Spring of 1983 when my band toured through South America) was staying at my house that morning the story broke. “Ralph look…the Marines!” he said pointing to the TV set. I was in shock. I went surfing that morning by myself. I paddled out alone in the darkness, and while I was out in the water, I broke down crying. I never cried a single day in Vietnam, but that day? I cried like a baby. It all just came pouring out of me that morning.
It
is well known that ISLAMIC JIHAD out of Iran was behind that deadly blast.
HAMAS, Al QEADA, HEZBOLLAH, ABU SAYYAF, ISIS, and all the other terrorist groups out there are never going away. So we all better suck it up and prepare for what the future will ultimately bring to our shores, and to our allies. Like Israel.
Semper Fi to my Marine brothers who died 40 years ago today.
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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.
ED'S CORNER October 22nd, 2023
Once again this is me surfing on October 16th 2010 and once again Ed was there to document my daily surf. I can't tell you how it made me feel to know that Ed was there documenting the surf most of that year that I surfed every day. God I miss that man.
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.
My late father "Gus" played the part of this character back in the 80's for one of my clients. GULVIS is the older forgotten brother of Elvis.
Right now? I'd almost vote for him for president. I mean why the hell not? 45 and 46 are not the answer to our problems. Not even close. I do admit I like some of the younger candidates. Nikki Haley is someone worth watching. Smart, knowledgeable, and she has experience. And she's pretty tough. Just food for thought.
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PATRIOTS WIN A GAME- BEAT THE BILLS. NOW 2-5. STILL IN LAST PLACE, BUT WE HAVE A FAINT PULSE. THATS'S SOMETHING.
IN A STUNNING VICTORY THAT NOBODY SAW COMING.
PATRIOTS BEAT BILLS 29-25
The New England Patriots are now 2-5. That’s two wins and 5 losses. Still in last place. But we have now have a slight faint pulse that we did not have yesterday. In fact the entire NFL had written us off this season. I guess somebody should have told that to Bill Belichick and Mac Jones. They both had a great game. In fact the team played great 90% of the game, they almost blew it at the end, but they managed to stop the Bills and come back and score with little to no time on the clock. It really was an amazing ending.
The Final score
PATRIOTS 29 BILLS 25. Could this be the spark that ignites their asses to wake up and play Patriot football? I sure hope so.
The victory gave Coach Belichick his 300th win and it put him in 3rd most wins of all the head coaches in the NFL. That's impressive. Mathematically we are still in the hunt because anything could happen going forward. We're still in last place, but this new found confidence could very easily carry over in the next few weeks and things could drastically change in their favor. Who knows what could happen, but one thing is for sure, it feels a whole lot better winning than it does losing. I have always said, "Show me somebody who doesn't mind losing, and I will show you a loser."
“WINING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.”
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If there's one person on this planet that I really despise almost more than anyone else? It is this guy. Alex Jones. I wish him nothing but justice and payback for the families that he has hurt. Close to $1billion dollars he will have to pay to the families of Sandy Hook. Look, even the Sheik has suspicions about him. He was with 45 when they stormed the Capitol of January 6th. He's one of Trump's boys. I wish they both would just go away for good. But at least he will be financially ruined by this settlement. Ye Reap What Ye Sow Alex. I hope this settlement crushes you to the point where we never have to see you, or hear your voice ever again. You disgusting piece of human garbage.
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 ALEX JONES meltdown videos at the Home Depot this week.
HEAL QUICKLY Tony Berardini from ankle surgery.
REST IN PEACE ARTIE ABBOTT 1952-2023
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
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Remember
my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surfing Is Supposed to be Fun.
Ralph
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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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53 YEARS AGO MY PARENTS VISITED HAMPTON BEACH, NH
WHILE I WAS FIGHTING IN VIETNAM. OCTOBER 1970.
For those who can't read the caption embedded on the pic (click on the image to see a larger version). Long story short, my parents Gus and Eva and my youngest brother David at Hampton Beach in October of 1970. At the time this photo was taken I was in Vietnam.
Photos by Gus and Eva Fatello
*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- SNEAK PEAK Of Next Week's Blog.
All photos taken today Sunday October 22nd, 2023.
Photos by RALPH
(Above) Lars Hamilton dropping into one of the first waves of his session.
Sunday October 22nd, 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) Looking out across the bay I'm always drawn to those empty ledges.
Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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The Haffenreffer family have been helping seacoast families
with their holistic health and optimal wellness for decades. |
(Above) Yes I intentionally lined up the flag to get this shot.
Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) I love the long shot using this angle. It looks almost tropical, but it aint.
Sunday October 22nd, 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.
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(Above) And this? You already know that this is one of my favorite views.
Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Lucky Goofy foot dropping into a nicely formed left.
Sunday October 22nd, 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 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/
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(Above) And this is always fun to shoot. Keeping the waves focused
in the background while having an object in your foreground.
Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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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) Longboarding with a classic style and no leash.
Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) How pretty is this little wave?
Sunday October 22nd, 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) The wind and the swell direction made for some fun little runners.
Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
Today- MONDAY OCTOBER 16th, 2023.
Photos by RALPH
(Above) It's always cool to see semi empty beach break waves.
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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) It's got to fit the waist high criteria before I pull the trigger.
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
Joe Carter, Brian Nevins, and Nick Lavecchia |
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(Above) It was waist high. So I shot it.
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) It's got to be there to cover up some graffiti that was inappropriate.
Monday October 16th, 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) I thought the clouds and sun looked cool.
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) If you have never been out to Isle Of Shoals you really should
check it out.
Monday October 16th, 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.
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(Above) I love the empty wave. Monday October 16th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above)
Monday October 16th, 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) It was a local lineup this day. Everybody knew everyone.
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Monday line-up. October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) It's just another Manic
Monday October 16th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) It's a fun little swell on Monday October 16th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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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
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(Above) It's Johnny "JIM" Meehan on another long right.
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) It's the marsh near the Hampton/North Hampton border
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*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) Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Young buck in our back yard last week.
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) We hope he survives the hunting season.
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) The young buck checking out the fake buck.
Monday October 16th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
Today- FOLIAGE IN MAINE OCTOBER 19-20th, 2023.
Photos by RALPH
(Above)The foliage in New England is to die for.
October 19th-20th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery
(Above) The thing about this foliage is, I actually go crawling through it with my friend and my dogs.
October 19th-20th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery
(Above) This is something I look forward to every October.
October 19th-20th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery
(Above) The foliage in Maine. October 19th-20th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery
(Above) The reflections of Maine on Thursday October 19th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo to see the whole gallery
(Above) My friend Rich Appel took this photo while standing about 20 to 30 yards from where I was standing. He may have shot his pic a few minutes before I shot mine. October 19th, 2023. Photo by Rich Appel
*Click on the photo 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) Dougie FRESH in El Salvador last week. October 19th, 2023.
Photo c/o Dougie Fresh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Kainalu Nichols flying along in a blue green dream in Hawaii. October, 2023.
Photo c/o Lenny Nichols
*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 # 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.
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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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I see some more fun waves this week
I'm picking Today October 22nd, 2023 as the best of the week!
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October 22nd, 2023
"Oh boy, this is a little colder than I thought. End of October? Yeah, that's colder than July and August. "
(ABOVE) I don't know what this guy was thinking, but I bet he didn't last long. October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
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