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

SURFERS PADDLE FOR LOCAL SURFER ARTIE ABBOTT. KING'S X. MASS SHOOTING
IN MAINE. PATRIOTS LOSE AGAIN.



The paddle for Artie on Saturday October 28th, 2023 was very well received. There were well over 50 attendees on the beach. And a handful of actual surfers showed up. The problem was, there was good surf on Saturday. Not to mention the air temps reached 83 degrees and as I told the crowd on the beach, Surfers will blow off anything and everything to go surfing. My guess is they were all enjoying the late Indian Summer weather and good surf.



This is Arie's tee shirt and surfboard. We paddled it out for Artie.



This is Stan Bocko addressing the crowd as they all sat on the rocks and beach. It was truly a beautiful day. One of the best beach days of the year.



This is Artie's wife Kitsy. She was a rock on this day. Taking it all in and beaming with love, warmth, and affection. She was so incredibly thankful and grateful for all the friends and family who came out to honor Artie on this glorious of days. It truly was a day for the ages.



This is Don Kennedy, a friend of Artie and brother to the late TK Kennedy. Don spoke of his fond memories with Artie from back in the day.



Kevin "DOC" Grondin knew Artie from the early 70's, 80's, and 90's. There were some funny and poignant stories from the surfers who knew Artie.



This is me in the red rash guard pointing at the waves. *And there were some great waves out there. In fact, this is the first paddle I ever did, where there was actual surf. Typically it's a small swell running. But this day? Holy Mackerel there were really good waves. Photo by Tony Berardini.



Like I said, we were short on surfers, but we still performed the service as we always do. This is the part of the Paddle where we toss our flowers and splash water while hooting really loud. And as we did this, those on the beach tossed their flowers and hooted loudly right along with us.
Photo by Tony Berardini



The view from the water. We gave Artie a proper send off. Wherever you are Artie, just keep paddling brother. Save us all a spot out in the line-up. We will be along eventually. So, just keep paddling brother. Keep Paddling.

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 29th, 2023



Unknown longboarder surfing on October 18th 2013 at what appears to be the Wall. Water still looks warm with this guy not wearing gloves. Not surprisingly. 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.

KING'S X COMES TO NEW HAMPSHIRE 10-28-23



My close friends and family all know of my deep love and respect for this band from Katy Texas. KING'S X was formed in 1980. They have been together for 43 years. I first discovered them when I was walking out the door to go to a soundcheck with my band The NOR'EASTERS in 1989. They were on MTV playing "OVER MY HEAD." I heard that guitar riff and saw this tall black guy with a Mohawk and one of them had a bolero hat on, and Ty the guitar player was absolutely incredible.



it all just stopped me dead in my tracks. I remember telling the guys in my band that I had seen a new band that blew me away. Well the very next day I went out of my way to find out who and where they were from. I saw them for the very first time at The Channel in Boston MA on June 12th, 1991. I have seen them every year since that first year. And Cory fell in love with them too, as did our three kids. In fact, they literally grew up on their music. And Gabby and Max saw them play live in Salisbury Mass when they were 6 and 5 years old. My friend Rich Appel was also there with his two kids too.



They (the band) remembered that night on Saturday when we brought it up. Dug was saying how bad he felt because he was throwing out the "F" bombs all night in front of the kids. We all just laughed about it. I did everything in my power to turn everyone I know onto these guys. And on Saturday night, Dave CROP Cropper and Josh JB Bellman was there too.



It was a great night that none of us will ever forget. Jerry Gaskill and my oldest daughter Gabby LaBreck. Gabby had been so excited to see them for the last two to three months.

LONG LIVE KING'S X.

PATRIOTS LOSE TO THE DOLPHINS AND SLIP BACK INTO DEAD LAST PLACE IN THE AFC.



PATRIOTS 17 DOLPHINS 31
The New England Patriots are now 2-6. And they have slipped into last place. There's no digging out the hole they are in. They are firmly in last place and will ultimately remain there for the rest of the season. Barring some incredible collapse of The Dolphins, Bills, and Jets, they will be in dead last. Now I suppose I could complain about the officiating but all the teams could do that. But the non-call on Parker getting a helmet to helmet hit really lowered the bar. If HELMET TO HELMET is illegal? Then you have to call it. I don't care who the play or the team is, you have to call it. Parker had to leave the game because he got his bell rung. That's BS. You have to call those.



Otherwise get rid of the penalty all together. It's a penalty to stop the old fashion head hunting injuries. Get rid of it and have an open head hunting league. Or enforce it every time including the ones you miss. The NFL has a million freaking cameras all over the field. Use them. It won't take that long. Call up each camera angle and make the right call. Because I guarantee if it was Tyreek Hill who was on the receiving end of a vicious helmet to helmet hit you'd never hear the end of it. As is right. If Hill had to leave the game because of a vicious helmet to helmet his? Ha. The Dolphins fans would be up and arms and I would be right there with them. There's just no need for that kind of shit.

MAINE MASS SHOOTING. MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS



The mass shooter who killed 18 innocent people on October 25th, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine had threatened to shoot his fellow soldiers at a National Guard Army base this summer after hearing voices in his head? Wait? What? This guy heard voices in his head to go and shoot up the ARMY base in July and they let him go? Are you kidding me? What part of that HUGE RED FLAG did you not get? I mean GOOD LORD.

He threatened to kill members of his National Guard unit. Hello?

First and foremost they should have immediately confiscated ALL OF HIS WEAPONS. Especially his assault weapons. This POS was a Firearm's instructor in the NATIONAL GUARD, and he was threatening to shoot everyone? What am I missing here? This tragedy rests squarely on the shoulders of the US ARMY. This was a complete breakdown of lack of intelligence on every level. I would demand answers from the ARMY and the local Police who were also called to check on him because of his erratic behavior. This horrible day could have been avoided if the proper authorities had acted on these obvious warning signs.

If I was a family member? I'd want answers.

“VIGILANCE HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

Make sure all you parents go with your children on Halloween.
Walk with them right up to the door. The last thing you or your child needs is to run into someone like KSM at the door. There's no telling what he'd give the kids. My guess is the treat is more than likely something you wouldn't feed a goat, let alone your child. Stay with the kids every minute on Halloween.



The pic below is a rare old photo from Khaliddy's home photo album. I'm not sure how we ended up with it, but clearly the Young Sheik has not changed much in all the years. Still very creepy.



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 old Halloween Candy at the Home Depot this week.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN October 31st, 2023!
HEAL QUICKLY Tony Berardini from ankle surgery.
REST IN PEACE ARTIE ABBOTT 1952-2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Eva Fatello October 28th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JoEllen Bunton 10-29-23!
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Please keep LOCAL LEGEND Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
REST IN PEACE Matthew Perry Star of FRIENDS age 54.

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

YESTERDAY AND TODAY. 52 YEARS AGO IN 1971. AND TODAY 2023.
I could NOT believe my eyes and ears when my friend Johnny Meehan pointed out that the guy riding the waves at The Rocks on Saturday was my old friend Don BRUZ Bowden. That's Bruz and me on the far left and Bruz and me on Saturday October 28th, 2023. My friend Jeff Crawford (on the right) had been looking for Bruz for years. We had been wanting to go back to Nova Scotia for our 50th anniversary in 2021 but we could not locate him. So to run into him at the Paddle on Saturday was a godsend. So what does this mean? Who the hell knows? I'm just stoked that he's still surfing.
Photos c/o Ralph Fatello
*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- SUNDAY FUNDAY.
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

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) 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

(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.

(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 bunch of friends sharing this bowling peak setup.
Sunday October 22nd, 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) 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

(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

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

(Above) This peak is the most visibly exposed wave on the entire coast.
Sunday October 22nd, 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

(Above) The Donatelli boys marching to the surf on
Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The lineup was a little congested, but what else is new?
Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) The rights were not quite ready at this tide.
Sunday October 22nd, 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) Eli P with her trademark bottom turn.
Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The inside was just winding down the reef allowing for all kinds of carves and turns. Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The sets started to pulse. Sunday October 22nd, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Sunday October 22nd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This guy was picking off the swinging wide sets.
Sunday October 22nd, 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.

Today- THE SURFER'S PADDLE FOR ARTIE ABBOTT. SATURDAY OCTOBER 28th, 2023.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) It was the first paddle that I did that actually had waves.
Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I was so stoked to see Brooke and Aby Taylor at Artie's Paddle.
We did a paddle for JT (Brooke's dad and Aby's husband) back in 2014.
Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) It was cool having everyone sitting on the rocks as the waves peeled off in the distance. Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Don Kennedy speaking about his many adventures with Artie.
Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Maggie, Kevin, Steve Clark, and Ryan McGill (swimming with NO wetsuit). Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) It was so cool when that one wave popped up on the reef
and peeled down the line. We all called it "Artie's Wave!"
Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above 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

(Above) I counted to three and we all tossed our flowers and hooted while we splashed water. The people on the beach did the same.
Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Everybody had a memorable time for Artie's paddle.
Keep paddling Artie. Keep paddling brother.
Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Today- PADDLE FOR ARTIE ABBOTT
SATURDAY OCTOBER 28th, 2023.
Photos by Tony Berardini



(Above) This nice police officer stopped by to observe the Paddle and to pay his respects to the family. October 28th, 2023.
Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery




(Above) The waves at Artie's Paddle were a Godsend. Stan is speaking while I am looking at the surf. Saturday October 28th, 2023.
Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery




(Above) Kevin Grondin speaking while Steve Clark, Johnny Meehan, Stan Bocko, and myself reflect on the story. Saturday October 28th, 2023.
Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is Ryan McGill after the paddle. Ryan was killing it out
there with no wetsuit. Saturday October 28th, 2023.
Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery



(Above) This Kevin Grondin after the paddle getting a little speed run.
Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo to see the whole gallery



(Above) Johnny Meehan getting some clean and green runners at Artie's Paddle Saturday October 28th, 2023. Photo by Tony Berardini
*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) Stephen Avola from Beverly sent in this beautiful October Moon shot. October 28th, 2023. Photo by Stephen Avola
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Tony Berardini still in his boot from ankle surgery still came out to shoot the paddle. He did not know Artie, but he came out of respect for those who did know him. Saturday October 28th, 2023.
Photo by Shelly Berardini
*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 # 746 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 Tony Berardini
*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 this week

I'm picking Today October 30th 2023 as the best of the week!

October 29th, 2023

Ryan: "Oh I thought this was the Polar Plunge day."
Stan: "You want me to call an ambulance?"

(ABOVE) I don't know many people who would surf without a wetsuit on a day like this, let along swim in that cool water. But those McGill boys march to the beat of a different drummer. October 28th, 2023. Photo by RALPH



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