Another week of Surf. Thank You Nicole. Local Boy Perry Reynolds Takes 3rd in Water Bros Contest. Local Girl takes part in surf rescue. And finally...Trump and Hillary Battle it out one last time (Thank God.)

Dear Hurricane Nicole, on behalf of all the surfers in New England, I want to thank you for a wonderful stretch of surf. People are still buzzing over your liquid gifts. So thank you again, and if any of your siblings are mulling around in the Caribbean, please let them know, that they too are welcome to give us a visit. Just as long as they stay off the coast a good distance. Your brother Matthew caused some serious problems and even killed a handful of people. We only want the surf. I know that sounds selfish, but it's true. The flooding and wind damage is not what we're looking for. So, if you wouldn't mind putting in a good word for us, we'd certainly appreciate it.

There's a reason why having surf on the weekends is not good for me.

You all know I post on Sundays. The week is from Sunday to Saturday. So if there's good surf on Saturday and Sunday, I have to shoot. Throw in a Patriots game and well, Lil Ralphie barely has enough time to get the blog done. I know that the majority of you read and check out the pics on Monday morning. So that leaves me little time to get it all together for you.

But look, I'd rather see you weekender's get your waves than me have the time to get the blog done on the weekends. I feel your pain. And with daylight savings time about to slip away, each weekend becomes that more crucial. But this weekend? Man the surf was too good to pass up. And as most of you know, I am a Patriots fan. I need to watch each and every single game. It is part of our ritual with me and my close friends.

They won today. 27-16 against the Steelers. So I'm good until next week.



This contest in RI was posted on the blog for a solid month. Perry Reynolds paid his $100 entry fee and climbed and clawed his way into the finals and placed third. We're all stoked for you Perry! Good on you!



Ex USA Surf coach Kevin Grondin and Perry Reynolds at the contest site. Everyone is stoked about your 3rd place showing. We know there were a lot of heavy hitters lined up to take that first prize loot. Hey 3rd is like the Bronze in the Olympics. Dude you got the Bronze medal! Congrats!



This is Elizabeth Ann she's a local surfer who also happens to be a RN. Her role in life is to basically save lives. And that's exactly what she did on Saturday, October 22nd, 2016 at a local point break. Elizabeth was quick to point out, that she was not alone in this life saving mission. She said there was a doctor, and two others in the water with her.

Here's what she shared with me, in her own words:

"Here's my story! I wish I knew the names of the other three surfers I was with. I vaguely remember one of them, he was a doctor at Boston Medical Center. From Puerto Rico. Jean-Paul, I believe. The other two, I did not catch their names. But, regardless, I did not act alone. There were three other heroes!

So, I was surfing Linkys... set wave came in, I caught it into the inside. I was paddling back out and I see three other surfers crowded around something. I thought it was a seal or someone had been bitten by a shark. I (thank god) was longboarding so I paddled over and they all said this guy just started having a seizure in the lineup. Didn't hit his head, wasn't even going for a wave. So we picked him up and put him on top of my board as best we could. We couldn't touch bottom and this kid was still seizing and all locked up.

His lips were completely blue. His face was as white as a ghosts and you could see all his veins. His eyes, the iris part, was black as black can be. I thought for sure this kid was gonna die before we got him in and I was going to have to perform CPR on the beach. Finally, halfway into paddling to the beach, he took a breath. He started flailing, completely confused, no idea where or what was going on, trying to get off. We let him get off my longboard and get on his shortboard until we could touch the bottom.

I paddled into shore and yelled up to bystanders to call 911. Then trying to get the kid out of the water and up the rocks at linkys was tough. He wouldn't let go of his board and he kept slipping on the seaweed and the last thing he needed was to fall and smack his head on a rock. I finally yelled at him to sit down and he did. He was drooling. He still didn't look right to me.

But anyways we got him up the rocks. Ambulance was there. They tried talking the kid into going to the hospital but he refused. Last thing I knew, the police were going to follow his car and for any erratic driving, PC him. I tried following up with the police department because I was worried but they wouldn't give me any information. I didn't even catch the surfers name... But I hope he's okay.

All I have to say, is this was one lucky kid. We found him face down in the water seizing, so he would have drowned if none of us were there to pull his head above water. Lesson learned to never surf solo. Was also amazing to see strangers in a surf community, come together and help save a surfer in trouble."

Amen to that Elizabeth. I know I'm not alone when I say thank you and the
other three who acted so quickly and efficiently to help save the life of that young man. That's a beyond the call of duty selfless act. And had you been in the military, we would of awarded you with a selfless act of bravery.

• 
  "Surfing, Awareness, and Courage Heals All Wounds"
  
  
  

This is my buddy from down south a ways. Mike M a smooth longboarder and one of Ed's favorite's back in the day.
Some day in November of 2013.

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.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
This has truly been the absolute worst year in the history of Politics. And it does appear that we are nearing the end of this madness.
The third and final debate happened on October 19th, 2016 and it lived up to it's absurdity. Honestly? I don't like either candidate. I don't. And I won't vote for one to stop the other one from getting into office. I don't want either one to run this country into the ground. I'm sorry.



This is the kind of shit that comes from these two ass hats. The constant facebook Memes. The hotly contested arguments between both parties. I mean stop and think about this for a moment. Of all the likely candidates we had, this is who we ended up with.

It is a true DAMMED IF YOU DON'T -DAMMED IF YOU DO!



Both of them should be ashamed of themselves. But they're not.
So what does that tell you about the state they're in, and the state that we will be in come November 8th. You can't write this crap. You really can't. It's like a Twilight Zone episode.

They hate each other. And they hate the followers too.



There was however a time when they were all friends. Look at how happy the four of them are here. They seem to be getting along. And yet they hate each other now. They despise one another.

They hate their spouses and their children and the people who will vote for them. There is so much hatred and bad blood, that I would not be in the least surprised at the potential of rioting in the streets the day after the election. And I mean from both sides.

If Hillary loses? There will be rioting. If Trump loses, there will be riots.

This is no joke my friends. There is so much resting on the outcome of this election that it is really starting to worry some people. The world is a powder keg. The last thing our country needs is dissension. But it's coming. The hate is so thick, that you could cut it with a knife.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
The day after the crazed and whacked debate there was a dinner where both Hillary and Trump had to actually sit next to each other. Boy talk about tension. The dinner was a roast of sorts and both The Donald and Hillary took turns slamming each other only this time with a tinge of humor. Though you would of fooled me.

Trump being Trump said some terrible things about Hillary, and the woman who would be queen also levied some nasty barbs at the orange headed buffoon.

And some how, the most despicable human on the planet managed to some how some way find himself seated behind the two candidates. And while KSM has not yet come out and endorsed either candidate it would be interesting to know where he stands.



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 by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of red beanies at Home Depot this week.

CONGRATS to the NE Patriots defeating the Steelers 27-16 today.
Remembering the Marines who died on this day in Beirut. 10/23/83
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my late mother EVA October 28th, 2016
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to JoEllen (Grammy-GiGi) October 29th, 2016!

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 photo above to see a larger version

(Above) Jesse Gould loves to surf here. It's his homebreak and he knows
her well. October 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This might be the only pic I have of Michael from this session without someone behind him. He did however tell me that he did his best to drop in on everyone out there. October 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Becca Speak on the green playing field. October 17th, 2016
Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Markey J on one of the better pics from this batch. I love this pic.
October 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The NICOLE SEQUENCES October 17th, 2016.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) The first surf since tweaking his ankle. MVF at home.
October 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole SEQUENCE gallery





(Above) Artie Seaman knows how to dress for the Nicole Fall colors.
October 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole SEQUENCE gallery

Today- The Cleaner Day. October 19th, 2016.
Photos by Max Fatello



(Above) You'd never know, if you didn't already know. October 19th, 2016
Photo by Max Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) She looks clean. That Nicole was so clean. October 19th, 2016
Photo by Max Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Martha Shoots Nicole. October 16th, 2016.
Photos by Martha Lardent




(Above) Becca Speak on a screamer of a right. October 16th, 2016
Photo by Martha Lardent *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Look out for that Gull Lenny! October 16th, 2016
Photo by Martha Lardent *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Is it me, or is Becca surfing faster these days? October 16th, 2016
Photo by Martha Lardent *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Even More Nicole. October 19th, 2016.
Photos by John Adams

(Above) He calls this Three Sisters. I can see why...sort of. One thing's for
sure, it sure is beautiful. October 19th, 2016 Photo by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Weston Rogers is one of my favorite local surfers. He's a great guy, and he can surf circles around most people. October 19th, 2016
Photo by John Adams *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Would you if you had to? October 19th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Have you ever seen a rock like this? October 19th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Driftwood I found on the shores of a dry lake. . Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery