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Another Perfect Storm on Halloween?

Wait is this really happening again? Another crazy October Halloween/Perfect storm again? What the hell is going on here? Can't really call this Global warming...or can you? Seriously. What is happening? Hell just last year we had the biggest snow storm all year on halloween. There's something not quite aligned with the stars, moon, and tide. This is getting weird.

As I type this blog material Hurricane Sandy is bearing down on the mid atlantic states like a wild boar. This thing is big. Really big. And she's showing no signs of backing down. By Tuesday morning we will all know just how bad Sandy was. She's already killed 34 people. That's thirty four human beings who are no longer on this planet. Killed by Hurricane Sandy.

The projected path has Sandy heading smack dab into New York and New Jersey. They will more than likely get the brunt of this wild bitch. The fetch of wind and swell is wide. She is reaching out and touching many of us. Not many will escape her wind or rain. And not many will get burned for surf. The waves are coming.

Albeit, it might not be clean for a few days, but surf is coming.

There are places to surf during all swell and wind directions. You just gotta know where to go. This is where knowledge comes into play. Wisdom and knowledge. Or some sort of keen ocean sense that many of you younger surfers seem to have been born with.

But it's basically called adventure. The desire to seek out and explore new un chartered territory all within your own back yard. Or within driving and or boating distance. But make no mistake,
it is out there. You just gotta open your eyes.

And with a track like this? You kidding? Get ready kids...Auntie Sandy is coming to town and she's gonna kick your bony white asses. From Maine to Puerto Rico...Sandy is gonna fill in and give us all something to ride, shoot, and talk about for days, months, and quite possibly years from now.

The last time anything quite like this happened was back on October 30th, 1991. The Halloween Storm. Or The PERFECT STORM. If you are old enough to remember that week, you all know what I am talking about. I'm talking about the BIGGEST
Surf I've personally ever seen on the East Coast. Ever. It was completely insane.

I've written about that storm in the past. I made movies. Hell, Hollywood made the movie to end all movies on that storm. The PERFECT STORM. A story about the sinking of the Andrea Gail. I'm sure you are all familiar with that story.

George Clooney and Mark Walberg. There were a bunch of stars. Talk about horror stories. That was the scariest of them all. If the surf that was depicted in that movie was real? Oh My God. That was without question insane.

Big surf and big boats...on that day? Did not gel. There was no getting out of that mess. Waves that measured over 100' high. Think about that for a minute. Over one hundred feet! Can I get a Gulp? Can I get a BIG GULP people? Unfortunately, there was no gulp big enough to save the crew on the Andrea Gail. All were lost at sea.

I hope and pray that no more lives are lost as Sandy makes landfall. I only hope that good to great surf was had by all. And that all the photographers get some memorable images.

And next week I will post the good here for all to see and marvel at. Be safe and be smart out there my friends.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

The third and final debate happened last week and can I just say this? Being a Marine and knowing hundreds of Marines, Army, SEALS etc etc...I need to point out to Mr President that WE STILL USE Bayonets.

I thought the President was so disrespectful and caustic that it cheapened the whole debate. His snarky, mean spirited remarks were so UNPRESIDENTIAL that it was embarrassing to all of us. And by us, I am talking Americans. I will be (like a lot of you) be glad when this is over. I am hoping FOR REAL HOPE and CHANGE.

And that's where my vote is going. CHANGE. As in pocket change.

OK with Hurricane Sandy beating the crap out of GITMO, the guards have allowed the Bloated Beast KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed) to wear a bright yellow raincoat (uniform) to help navigate through the wind, rain, muck and mire that is Sandy. Yet he still looks miserable. The bloated Terrorists is never happy. Oh well.

Note to self: Must pick up some Windshield wipers at Home Depot.

Patriots are playing in London this week. They face the Rams. Not sure which team will show upon today, but I sure hope it's the team that wins.
The NHL officially cancelled the November games last week. Gee, these guys must really be serious about this deadlock. Though it really stinks that there is no NHL for all the hardcore fans. Come on guys...

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Eva Fatello October 28th (We still miss and love you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Joe Carter October 28th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JoEllen Bunton October 29th!
Rest In Peace Carylyn Grondin October 15th, 2012.
Rest In Peace Merrill Dee Shumway October 15th 2012!
REST IN PEACE Donald Takayama!
GET WELL SOON Matt Denis WHS student!
GET WELL SOON Tony Berardini!
Get Well soon Mr Cropper father of Dave and Mike Cropper. Please keep Mr Cropper in your thoughts and prayers.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic
Of The Week every week for the last 9 years. **Think about BUYING a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW. Keep in mind the photos you steal from this site are low RES. You can't blow them up. Order HIGH RES photos that are suitable for framing. It's a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer or Surf Break!

Remember my friends...Surfing Heals All Wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

JUST RELEASED and IN THE SHOPS and Online!!
Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on My
CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner below on this page.)
Started on July 26, 2010 ENDED July 26, 2011. A Wave a day for 365
consecutive days. Just click on the banner ads on this page.

To contact the advertisers below, simply click on the Ad space. Anyone wishing to find out info about advertising here can do so by emailing me directly. Ralph's Email I'll send you a template and other info on how you can become a paid sponsor

We highly recommend the various businesses and artists listed below. Why? Well simply put, each and every one of them is a Surfer, who lives the Surfing Lifestyle, and their business is a reflection of that lifestyle that we all love.

Yesterday- Winter 1988 on Hawaii's North Shore. Local NH legend Kevin "Doc" Grondin laying it all out at Gas Chambers on Oahu.
(Below) I remember driving in my van one day in the mid 70's when Kevin asked me if I thought he could handle Hawaii's North Shore. Without any hesitation I turned to him and said "Yes. Absolutely." And to this day I have no qualms about that statement. Because it was true back then and it's true today. Kevin could, and still can today, surf big waves.
And I have no doubt that this week during the biggest of what Sandy will throw at us, I know that Kevin will be out there. Charging and doing what he's done for over 40 years, which is basically killing it out there in all conditions. I don't see him slowing down for the next 10-15 years. So you kids better deal with it. Ha!
Photo by Michael Baytoff

Click on the photo above to see the larger version.

TODAY ... all the photos below were taken this week, unless otherwise noted.

Today-Tim Brown's Day. Sunday October 21st, 2012.
Photos by RALPH

(Above) This day was special in more ways that I can begin to write. Yes there were
waves, but there was also something bigger in the making. A day that was both inspiring
and heartwarming. A day so simple, yet so deep and meaningful. I consider myself fortunate to be able to share a few photos from this moment in time.
Sunday October 21st, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) As you can see, there were waves. Head high and clean. But this is not
about the waves. Wait yes it is. It is about the waves. It's about the waves for
Tim Brown. Sunday October 21st, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) That's Tim Brown lying on his back facing a head high wave for the first time
in a very long time. The people holding him aloft are family, friends, and volunteers.
Look at that wave. I could only imagine what was going through Tim's mind as he got
closer to the surf. I was stoked just standing on the sand. Hell, I was stoked just standing.
Tim Brown cannot stand. He is in a transition period. There was a time before he could walk and surf, and of course his present state, and he's looking forward to the next level.

I believe in our lifetime we will see these kinds of injuries become less cumbersome
and through research and high tech care, men like Tim will be able to walk and surf
again. Because lord knows, and I was witness to it...Tim's attitude and his pure stoke
is real. And that my friends, is half the battle.

What's that saying of mine? Oh Yea, "SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS!"
Sunday October 21st, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Each year when we host the WOUNDED WARRIORS HIT THE BEACH event here
in Hampton, I stand on the wall and bark out to the vets and the volunteers these exact words. "Surfing is riding a wave. You can be standing, kneeling, sitting on your butt, or lying down. And the one common thread is that sensation of feeling your body moving along by the power of the wave. The salt water in your face. That's surfing!"
And the photo above is Tim Brown surfing. Sunday October 21st, 2012.
Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Tim Brown after his surf session. This photo? Well this is something we all call STOKED. And this too is very real. Tim Brown went surfing again on this day.
October 21st, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today-Saturday October 20th, 2012. Photos by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Matt Colby surfing the seasickness that was happening at the local breaks.
The next day cleaned up nicely though. October 20th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Ryan Reed entering the SPIN ZONE. October 20th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) This looks like Sean O'Connor ...but I could be wrong. In either case, this is a cleaner looking wave than the others. October 20th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) That's Kai Nichols surfing better and stronger with each passing swell.
Saturday October 20th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) That's Kai Nichol's daddy Lenny Nichols. And like Kai, Lenny is also surfing
better and stronger with each passing swell. Saturday October 20th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today-Backdoor Pipeline October 27th, 2012.
Photo by Bernie Baker

(Above) This sure looks pretty. Or is it pretty scary? Saturday October 27th, 2012.
Photo By Bernie Baker * Click on the photo above to see a larger version.

Today-One more October sky shot. October 25th, 2012.
Photo by RALPH

(Above) You've all heard me say in the past that it's NOT JUST SURFING. Well, I was walking along the Canadian border this past week and took this photo. Something about those clouds and that blue sky. I am going to miss you October. And I can't wait for you to come back next year. October 25th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH* Click on the photo above to see a larger version.

Yesterday -The Perfect Storm-Halloween October 30th, 1991.
Photos and video by RALPH SFOD

(Above) The storm to end all storms. This was one for the record books. Unless of
course Hurricane Sandy surpasses this mutant. I guess we can only wait and see.
October 30th, 1991. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Kevin "Doc" Grondin and Mike "Zappy" Paugh making that long walk to the reef. The wind was wailing so hard that the boys did all they could to hold onto their long guns. This day will forever be one of the most memorable in New England Surfing.
October 30th, 1991. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Great NEW EP from local surfer/musician
Nick Checo download it for free by clicking
on image above.

(Above) The surf was way bigger than it looks. Trust me. It was significant. From the
early morning scenes at the Wall to the reef in Mass...it was insane. And this swell lasted
a solid week. Like I said, it was most memorable for a lot of us. There were many new stories and legends born from this beast. I'm not sure if we will ever see anything quite
like it again. October 30th, 1991. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

The 21st Anniversary of the HALLOWEEN (Perfect) STORM Swell of 1991
from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

Man, this was one of those swells where if you were around, you clearly remember it.
Five days of insane waves capping off with the Mack Daddy of all on Halloween...HUGE Surf. Huge Wind. Huge damage.

Hurricane GRACE mated with a sub tropical Nor'easter and gave birth to this mutant
storm. People died. Homes were destroyed. But the surf was all time.

This all happened 21 years ago this Halloween. I'd like to see more mutant swells like
this. (as long as no one got hurt).

Hope you enjoy this look back at New England surf history.

Ralph

We welcome all Surf Related pics from our Readers. Just make sure they
are at least 900 pixels wide. If you have any OLD photos of local New England surfers and or of local New England surfing, we would love to see them and
share them with our readers.

We can scan them for you. And we get them back to you undamaged. Trust me.
We can do this...people love the older stuff. So if you have any, please send 'em along. If you have prints/slides we can scan them.

And we don't care if you shoot pics with with your cellphones. I mean it.
Most of the images you see on the news and on the Internet were shot with
them Smart Ass Phones. Shoot and ask questions later.

Just shoot them and send them along.

(Above) Brian Thacker sent in some really cool pics from a few weeks ago. Like this
rare photo of an empty wave at a pretty popular spot. Just goes to show, sometimes a
few slip by when we are not paying attention. October 2012 .
Photo By Brian Thacker* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Brian Thacker's northern New England gem. October 2012 .
Photo By Brian Thacker* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) It's out there. You just have to go look for it. October 2012 .
Photo By Brian Thacker* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Nate Norton out with his buds enjoying one of October's last warm days.
October 2012. Photo By Peter Ferrin
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

NEW QWILL Single JUST RELEASED on fathers Day June 17, 2012 GREAT SONG

(Above) All Rise: 10th Street District Court of Surf Justice is now in session, the
Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. CASE 185 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Click the photo to see the outcome of this Surf crime and the verdict.
Photo By Ed O'Connell

* Click on the photo above to see the OUTCOME.

Click above to follow the entire CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY Blog. From start to finish. In chronological order as it happened.

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

This is the latest trailer for the documentary SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS. This was the most labor intensive project I have ever worked on. Both emotionally and physically.
There were times when I did not know if I could finish it. Having to relive the whole year in editing was so stressful. After finishing this movie, I realized that Buck Rowlee is my hero. In fact, the whole Rowlee family are. I was just a vehicle to help tell this story. I really hope you get something out of this. It is available at the Local Surf Shops and online. surffreeordie.com Portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Molly Rowlee Fund. Thank you. Surfing, Community, and Love.

Finally a NEW Crackie video. Crackie answers a Halloween and Hurricane question from a scared pathetic NY Surfer...enjoy losers. Meanwhile If you have a question no matter how stupid, or absurd, please send it here...crackie@adlantic.com

Crackie has his own Face book Page. You should Friend Him...though there are no guarantees that he'll be nice to you.

COMING NEXT WEEK! Hurricane Sandy and what she wrought.

Recorded in 1978. Click on VINNY CD
art to see a larger version and how to
order this CD and others for sale at
GAF Music. www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic

Hurricane Sandy...Coming Next Week!

Recorded in 1983. Click on VINNY CD art
to see a larger version and how to order this CD and others for sale at GAF Music.
www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic

COMING NEXT WEEK! Oh SANDY what are you going to do when
you get here?

Click above to read the entire MOLLY BLOG in Chronological order

(Above) Put the cursor over the images above to see happens when you DROP in
on someone. You become Invisible. Simply put the mouse over the photo to see the
original photo and then marvel at the results of what happens when the criminal
becomes invisible.*Put the cursor over the photo to see the Real image.
Photo by Ed O'Connell

Today October 2012 "I'm gonna put your ass on YouTube!!!"

(Above) At first I chuckled when I saw this. Then I realized this guy might actually be serious. In either case, the GOPRO is here to stay. No matter what we all think of them.
Photo via the Internet

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