Send your SURF Pics to me directly. (See link below) Just make sure they're at least 800 pixels wide. Need photo before 12 noon on Saturdays.
SEND PICS by clicking here- Ralph's Pic Of The Week To check out Past ( RPOTW) Go to the Archives Page
September 8th, 2013 The RUN is 6 out of 7 Weeks
Waist high or better, at least once a week. There was just
about waist high waves on Wednesday.
All materials contained in this blog are protected by copyright laws, and may not be reproduced, republished, distributed, transmitted, displayed, broadcast
or otherwise exploited in any manner without the express prior written permission of the owner, the author, authors or sources of said materials.
Remembering September 11th, 2001 and
the start of the NFL season...

The irony of last week's blog about our annual WOUNDED WARRIORS HIT THE BEACH, to my involvement with the annual September 11th GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM observance has not been lost on me.

In fact, it does not take too much of an imagination to see, that some of those men and women who were wounded in this Global War On Terrorism (GWOT), could have easily ended up as another name engraved on our monument. Looking at those smiling faces last week, I would let my mind drift to this next event. And I would get a lump in my throat.



As of today, we have 62 names on our monument. That is 62 names of brave Americans from the state of New Hampshire who have lost their lives in the GWOT since September 11th, 2001. That's 62 souls who are no longer with us. That's 62 families who's lives were changed forever. That's hundreds of friends who were touched by
the lives lost since 9-11. That's a staggering figure.

This year we are adding five new names.

No one who was around on that bright shining day will ever forget where they were and what they were doing when the first planes hit the WTC in NYC. And I mean no one. Young or old. It was and will be for those of us who were old enough to remember, a day that will be etched in our minds for the rest of our lives.

Most of the surfers who live here in New England, were either at the beach, or heading to the beach. Or, if you were working, you were clearly thinking about the beach, and the surf you would be missing.




Because the surf that day was amazing. Hurricane ERIN was producing some perfect overhead surf for those of us who could surf that day. I mean it was perfect. Not a cloud in the sky. Just a perfect day all around. Then this happened.



And in a moment, all of our lives changed forever.

Even the kids who were not born yet. Our lives all changed from that day forward. Suddenly surfing didn't seem to matter much. We were all in shock that day. I have a video clip that I post each year and I will post it again this year because, I still think it's important to remember.



In fact, it's important that each and every one of us take a moment to remember and reflect on that day, and the days that followed.

I remember this guy. Bob Hayes.

Bob was a surfer with a beautiful wife, and two beautiful sons. He used to surf here with all of us. Bob was the first person to buy one of my surf videos. The very first. In 1999. I never forgot that. Mostly because, he was not even in the video. He just wanted to buy it because it was all local NH footage.

I'm sure that Bob looked out the window on Flt 11 that morning, flying out of Boston's Logan Airport and saw the perfect surf hitting the coastline. My only hope for Bob was, that he was happy for his friends who were surfing the good waves from ERIN. Bob was heading to Los Angles for work. I'm sure he was thinking that he might get a surf in before, or after, his business appointments.

Why wouldn't he? He was a surfer.




Another local surf connection was this guy. Tommy Pecorelli was the brother of local surfer Angela Veltsos and the uncle of Jared Veltsos. Tommy was on Flt 11 with Bob Hayes on 9-11.

Again, it's important to remember those who died that day, and those who died in the years that followed, fighting in the GWOT that all started on 9-11-01.

I remember it all, and I remember going surfing with my friends later that night, and the next day, as we all silently said prayers for all of those who were affected by the terrible events of that day. And the days after. It was like a long never ending nightmare. 12 years ago.

Once again..."Surfing heals all wounds.”



The NFL started this week. Thank God. Not for nothing but I've never been much of a Baseball fan. I mean, I'm into it when the Sox make it into the Play-offs. I can watch the play-offs. But the regular season? Snore. I admit. I'm a fair weather fan. Don't hate me. I admit it. And I certainly don't have anything against those of you who eat, sleep, and drink baseball. It's just not for me. I like Football and I like hockey. That's it.

And my fave sport of all started this week. The NFL.

It was hard watching Peyton Manning throw the football to Wes Welka. Very hard. Especially when Wes caught his first TD pass from Peyton. I'm sure there will be many more coming. Ugh. And with our two Tight Ends from last year out of the picture, this year will be hard for us fans.



I just finished watching the season opener against Buffalo and man that was hard to watch as well. Rookies are rookies and we got ourselves some serious rookies who act like rookies.

Though, I must admit that number 80 Danny Amendola was impressive today as was Julian Endelman. And running Shane Vereen helped save this from being one of the most embarrassing games ever. We won it with 9 seconds left on the game clock.

This game should of been a blow out. It really should have.



This coming September 11th, 2013 local veteran's Post 35 in Hampton will be adding 5 new names to their GWOT monument. With all the hoopla in Syria these past few weeks, it's important to remember, and acknowledge the fallen from the state of NH who have given their lives for our very freedom since 9-11-01.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

OK so the big news this week continues to be Syria. Are we going to get the blessing needed to go in there and lob a few $2million dollar cruise missiles? President Obama is working his best mojo to go to War with Syria.

Having seen both the awful images of the gas victims in Syria and the awful images of the rebels killing Syrian soldiers is really a dilemma for me personally.

This is clearly a dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.

The question remains. Are the Rebels that we would be helping, have any ties with Al Qaida? If they do? We should not bomb Syria. Especially with 9/11 coming up in a few days.

And yes, I'm talking about the same Al Qaida that attacked the US on 9-11. Getting us involved in yet another war in the Middle East, just seems like a bad idea. Am I wrong people?

Let Syria and Al Qeada work out their own problems.


These are the Fallen from New Hampshire. A majority of these men were killed by Al Qeada. A few of these guys were surfers. Think about that. Surfers! We don't want to help the Terrorists who killed these brave Americans.

Again, this is not a joke this week. KSM is an evil son of a bitch who was the mastermind behind September 11th, 2001. The GREAT news is he is still rotting away in a cell at GITMO on yet another anniversary of 9-11. His boss Osama Bin Laden is still dead and America is still strong. You did not break us asshole. You did not win. We won.

As always, let's take a minute and enjoy the weekly humiliation of the mastermind terrorist who killed 3,000 innocent civilians on September 11th, 2001.



* Note to self. Must pick up some tick and bug spray
at Home Depot.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jaiden Ciarmataro September 4th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hoku Nichols September 7th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jesse Rose September 13th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Max Fatello September 14th, 2013!

GOOD LUCK to our Good Friend and fellow Veteran Wes Osswald as he prepares for his 26.5 Run/Walk to help Battle Cancer . Click on this image to find out more and how you can help Wes out.



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

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.
Yesterday- Mackey V water shot summer of 1999
 (Below) Those of you with young kids who surf should take a good long look at this photo. This is my son at age 8. These days seemed like they would never end. Surfing at 10th Street and teaching our kids how to surf. I surfed with Max this week and we had fun. First time in months. I look at photos like this and shake my head. It's hard to believe that we all grow up as fast as we do. So enjoy your time with your young grommies. They don't stay young forever. Photo by RALPH


Click on the photo above to see the larger version.


To contact the advertisers below, simply click on the Ad itself. Anyone wishing to find out info about advertising here can do so by emailing me directly by clicking here. 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.


All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK *Unless otherwise noted.

Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo
Today- Waist High Wednesday. September 4th, 2013.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Looking beyond the trash cans and into a perfect little Wall wave.
Wednesday September 4th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) That wave out the back is clearly waist high.
Wednesday September 4th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above)*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS
from Lansdale JEEP the last 23 years, and have not had
a single regret. They are the BEST!!
*Click on the Ad above to see more!



(Above) Hannah Vokey taking the high line at Jenness
Wednesday September 4th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Waist high Wall wave. Just a handful out to sample the small swell.
Wednesday September 4th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



Today- Empty Waist High Waves. September 4th, 2013.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Waist high and empty Wall wave. Wednesday September 4th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Yes it's small. But look how glassy and perfect she is.
Wednesday September 4th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) I love the smoothness of this wave. Wednesday September 4th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) As you can plainly see. It was waist high. Wednesday September 4th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


Today- Remembering Old Hurricanes
 Photos by Brian Nevins, Ed O'Connell. John Carden, Kevin Doherty, Ralph and more



(Above) TS Danny August 30th, 2009. Photo by Brian Nevins
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




( Above) Hurricane Bill August 23, 2009. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





( Above) This is me at the Wall from Hurricane IGOR September of 2010.
Photo by Ed O'Connell *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Billy Ritchie on a BIG Hurricane BILL Wave August 23, 2009.
Photo by John Carden *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) BIG Hurricane Bill Wave. August 23, 2009. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) There were big waves from BILL all day. August 23, 2009.
 Photo by Ed O'Connell *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Kevin Grondin is an ageless surfer. Hurricane BILL August 23, 2009.
Photo by John Carden*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) One of many hollow waves from past Tropical Storms
September 2009. Photo by Brian Nevins
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) The sun rises on yet another Tropical storm. September 2011.
 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.








(Above) A big wave Rhode Island Wave September 2010.
Photo by Kevin Doherty
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) This is Mike Stanek stuffed in a Tropical Storm hole. Photo by John Carden.
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

AVAILABLE IN THE SHOPS and Online. Click on image
above to see how to order.
Today- The Pics From Around The World.
September 8th, 2013. Photos via The Internet



(Above) How bad do you NOT want to be here? Photo via the Internet
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) How cool is this backwash? Oh my God. I can feel the bounce coming.
 Photo by Via the Internet
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


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 for you.

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.



(Above ) From my email box. Not sure who sent this. It's pretty cool though. A guy and his dog. Photo unknown
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above ) The Horrific shorebreak at Fort Point Photo unknown
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) The GWOT Monument Memorial at Post 35 in Hampton, NH
Photo Max Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) Local surfer Johnny Meehan cut his foot while surfing on Friday August 30th, 2013.
Photo by RGF Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
boat


(Above) All Rise: 10th Street District Court of Surf Justice is now in session, the
Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. CASE 230 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Click the photo to see the outcome of this Surf crime and the verdict.
Photo by RALPH

* Click on the photo above to see the OUTCOME.
Click banner below to follow the entire CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY Year Long Blog. From start to finish. In chronological order as it happened. And trust me, a lot happened. Some of it almost too hard
to believe. But it's all there. Every single day.


CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

HIT THE BEACH VI August 30, 2013


The 6th Annual HIT THE BEACH with The Wounded Warrior Project and NE Disabled Sports. Thanks to American Legion POST 35, Cinnamon Rainbows, Pioneers, Zapstix, Summer Sessions, Hampton Fire and Rescue, ESA-NNE, Flatbread, Fresh Valley Foods, HPD, and the many volunteers (you guys are the best!). And a HUGE thanks to the veterans and their families. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Shot on August 30th, 2013 in Hampton, NH.


 

This is the actual footage I shot the morning of September 11th, 2001. There was a hurricane off the coast, Hurricane ERIN, and we had a perfect 6' swell running. There was not a single cloud in the sky...

The footage is of a handful of local surfers listening to the radio broadcast of Howard Stern on WBCN , as perfect waves peeled off in the background. We had friends flying to Mexico that morning, and we were all concerned.

Later we found out that our good friend Bob Hayes was on the first plane out of Boston. Flt 11 that hit the North Tower. Bob Hayes, a surfer, was married with two young sons. And another surfer, then Angela Velstos, lost her brother Tommy on the same flight.

None of us who were around that day, will ever forget it. This is the first time this has been broadcast anywhere.

The camera work is jumpy and my voice sounds stressed, but this is what happened in our world on that dark day, 10 years ago today.

May the souls of all who died on that day, and those who have died since, fighting in the Global War on Terrorism Rest In Peace.

Ralph


CLICK CRACKIE BELOW TO SEE CRACKIE VIDS

CLICK ON THE CRACKIE IMAGE TO SEE ALL THE CRACKIE VIDEOS. Crackie's still on an unpaid administrative leave. However if you need a Crackie Fix just click on his face and go to his YouTube page and watch all his absurd videos. And if you have a question for Crackie, no matter how stupid, or absurd, please send it here...crackie@adlantic.com

You can also check Crackie out on Facebook. You should Friend Him...though there are no guarantees that he'll be nice to you.
 


COMING NEXT WEEK.More PHANTOM shizzle and this time Ole Capn Phantom brought his new GO PRO photo by The PHANTOMS

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


COMING NEXT WEEK More Phantom
Photo by The Phantom


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
 


(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 RALPH
 
Today September 8th, 2013
" Hey is that a Falcon in that tree?"



(Above) There are so many funny photos on the Internet. Thanks Judith and John . Photo from the Internet


Click on Wave to return to top of page

 This site/blog designed and maintained
by Adlantic copyright 2013