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September 9, 2012- The RUN is 5 out of 6 Weeks. Waist high or better, at least once a week. There was a solid ground swell from Tuesday thru today that was head high or better from LESLIE and Michael, and there's more coming!.
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I love it when Tropical Storms mate.

You know, like what Hurricane Leslie and Hurricane Michael did this week. They mated (sort of). The two storms were so close together out in the Atlantic, that they fell in love, and well, had spawned off a series of head high swells that are still coming to our shores. And lest you think this is something new, it is not.

I remember back in 1989, when Hurricane Gabrielle and Hurricane Felix mated. Man that was one swell to remember. We had some of the best waves ever here in New England during that swell period.

And before this coming week is over we could have some days that would rival those storms of the past. I know a lot of you younger surfers are all excited over this new Tropical swell. It is exciting stuff if this is all new to you. Hell, it's exciting to all of us. The older surfers may not not be as excited on the outside as you younger guys, but we are just as happy.

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes can bring smiles to all surfers.

Though this is also a week of sadness. It is the anniversary of September 11th, 2001. And while many of you younger surfers may not remember that day as clear as the older surfers, it is a time to reflect on that dark day and the dark days that followed 9-11-01.

The irony of this Hurricane Swell of Leslie and Michael, and the Hurricane that was directly offshore during 9-11-01 is not lost on a lot of us. On September 11th, 2001, Hurricane Erin was spinning off the coast under bright blue skies sending perfect waves to our New England coastline.



Think there was good surf on 9-11?

It was an amazing morning of surf. Perfect overhead surf hitting every reef, pointbreak, and sandbar in New England. Hell, the swell from Erin was hitting the entire East Coast. It had the makings of a perfect swell and perfect day all around. But that hairy asshole in the next column along with his partners in crime had other plans.

To kill as many innocent Americans as possible.

One of those killed was Bob Hayes. Married with two children. Bob was the first surfer to ever buy one of my surf movies.
" 99 to 90" was just released on VHS and Bob was the first to order one. He was a great guy. I got to know Bob during my "Catch A Wave For Gus" surf campaign in 2000-2001. He was
a great guy, and I am sure that if you were to ask anyone who knew him, they would all tell you the same.



Bob Hayes was on Flt 11 out of Boston's Logan airport that morning heading to the West Coast for a business trip. Bob who was an avid surfer had to have seen the surf that morning as his plane lifted off from Logan and banked out and over the Atlantic. He saw the surf. Imagine being a surfer and seeing those waves...I guess it's sort of poignant now to think that one of the last things Bob saw in this life was perfect surf.



It's hard to believe that Surfers were affected by that dark day in our nation's history. But Bob was one of a handful of surfers who had ties here to New England.

Another local surfer with direct ties to 9-11-01 is the Veltsos family. They were related to Tommy Peccorelli . (Above)

 

 



Tommy Peccorelli was the only brother of then local Surfer Angela Veltsos. Tommy was on the same plane at Bob Hayes. Flt 11 out of Boston's Logan Airport. Local Surfers Michael Veltsos who was then married to Angela and his sons who were all surfers remember that day like it was yesterday.

Some of you know Jared Veltsos. He works at Zapstix.

Tommy was Jared's uncle. Try and fathom what those dark days felt like for all of them. And because we are a community, it was hard on all of us as well. To have close ties with that dark day is something we will never forget.

The days, months, and years that followed have not been easy.

There are 57 names engraved on the monument in front the American Legion Post 35 in Hampton. Each September 11th, we honor and remember those who have fought and died in the Global War On Terrorism from New Hampshire since that terrible day... 9-11-01.

This Tuesday, we will remember and reflect on New Hampshire's fallen again. We made a promise to the families that first year, and that promise is, we will never forget the sacrifices of their loved ones, nor would we forget their own personal sacrifices. We kept that promise.



If any of you are around on Tuesday September 11th, 2012 at 6PM on High Street in Hampton, NH we will have a somber observance. And yes, we are doing this service no matter what the Surf is doing. There are some things that just matter more than getting wet. This is one of those.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

The Democratic convention has ended this week and it too was filled with all kinds of Political Hogwash and false promises. And like I said last week, you just have to answer this simple question. Are you REALLY better off today than you were 4 years ago? If you are, well good for you. If you are like most of us, and can't honestly say that, you need to remember that in November and vote accordingly.

I think change is coming...and I think it will be good for all of us.

So this week is sort of a Bittersweet day for this Hairy Beast below.

Khalid Sheik Mohammed was the asshole who masterminded the terrible day of 9-11-01. So in helping with remembering this awful day, I took the Liberty of airbrushing Ole KSM's head. And I cut his mustache to look like a demented cousin to Adolf Hitler. After all there was not much difference between the two. And before I forget, I hope I am not offending any KSM fans out there. Wait, YES I do. I do hope I am offending you.

I don't care what you think of my rantings about this bloated hairy beast.

In fact, I think they should waterboard his ass all day on Tuesday for old times sake. Only I wished they would televise it. I wouldn't mind watching this piece of shit squirm on 9-11 while thinking he is drowning.

And yes, I would like to see it it live. Is that wrong? I don't think so. He helped plan the murder of over 3,000 innocent human beings. Someday he will rot in hell, but before that day he should be made to live an uncomfortable life.



Note to self: Must pick up a new "Waterboarding Kit" at Home Depot.

Yay! The NFL season started this week. And YAY (again) because our local boys the New England Patriots won their game opener against the Titans in Tennessee. Heck, they killed them. It was great. I love watching New England teams kick ass in any sport. But I especially love it when the Patriots are doing the ass kicking! Today our boys looked great.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Patrick Murray Sept 10th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TC Christo Sept 12th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Phil Beauchesne Sept 12th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ashley Bailey Sept 12th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Max Vincent Fatello Sept 14th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nikki Hopkins Sept 15th!
GET WELL SOON Matt Denis WHS student!
REST IN PEACE Lenny Foye.
*ANOTHER STOLEN Board to Report. If anyone knows the whereabouts of a Brand New 5'7" Byrne with a Black and Red tail band on top of the image. PLEASE CONTACT Ross at Cinnamon Rainbows.

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

 

 


IN THE SHOPS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14th, 2012!!
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- September 11th, 2001. New Hampshire.
(Below) For those of us who were around that awful day, it is still hard to fathom the horrors that unfolded in our country as near perfect waves poured in from Hurricane ERIN that was spinning off the coast. This is a video frame grab of Shane Smith. He had no idea what was happening in NYC, The Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania. He did shortly after, as we all did, and slowly realized that our lives had changed forever.
Photo by RALPH.



Click on the photo above to see the larger version.


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

Today- Friday September 7th, 2012. HURRICANE LESLIE.
Photos by RALPH




(Above) Another irony. This is Bobby Morgan surfing at the exact same spot as the photo of Shane in the yesterday section. Bobby was on a plane the morning of 9-11-01 heading for Mexico. His flight was diverted to Texas. None of us knew that Bobby was safe until later in the day. But here he is, 11 years later and still styling. Friday September 7th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) Mike Stanek. Coming around a ledgy section. Friday, September 7th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Ann Schulz enjoying her session at Lumpys. Friday, September 7th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) Toby Parke cutting back on the inside track. Friday, September 7th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Jesse Gould FINS OUT. Friday, September 7th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.








Today- MVF SEQUENCE September 7, 2012 Photos by RALPH




(Above) Mackey V in a multi shot sequence on Friday 9-7-12. Did he make it? Check it
out for yourselves . Photos By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole SEQUENCE.



Today- Friday September 7th, 2012. HURRICANE LESLIE.
Photos by Ed O'Connell




(Above) Good Morning Ms Leslie...Friday September 7th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) Think this guy made this? My guess is no...Friday September 7th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Michael Emery styling on Leslie. Friday September 7th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Sidebottom and Emery sharing waves from Leslie...Friday September 7th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





Today- The John Carden "Leslie Gallery" Sept. 6th, 2012
Photos by John Carden



(Above) The Gathering Tribe. September 6th, 2012.
Photo By John Carden * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Hard to imagine a Tropical storm swell without Billy scoring waves.
September 6th, 2012. Photo By John Carden
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.









(Above) Johnny Reynolds. Gaining speed off the bottom. September 6th, 2012.
Photo By John Carden * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- Thursday September 6th, 2012. HURRICANE LESLIE.
Photos by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Kevin "Doc" Grondin cutback. September 6th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Kai Nichols cutback. September 6th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



Today- September 5th, 2012. HURRICANE LESLIE.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Casey Lockwood under the lip. Wednesday, September 5th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) Mackey V in shot number 5 of a decent barrel sequence.
Wednesday, September 5th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) Jesse Gould under the lip. Wednesday, September 5th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


Today- Wednesday September 5th, 2012. HURRICANE LESLIE.
Photos by Ed O'Connell




(Above) Jon Kiskinis in what I am calling the shot of the swell so far. September 5th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) Jon Gozzo in his bright Gozzo colors that matches the color of this wave
perfectly . September 5th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) One of my favorite local surfers. Kevin "Kevlar" Rafferty. September 5th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



Today- Labor Day Swell at Trestles September 3rd, 2012.
Photos by Steve Dillon



(Above) Damian Hobgood at Lowers. September 3, 2012. Photo By Steve Dillon
 * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) Medina at Lowers. September 3, 2012. Photo By Steve Dillon
 * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- Len Foye's Memorial Surfer's Paddle
September 5th, 2012 Photos by RALPH

  


(Above) When I wrote the words "Surfing Heals All Wounds" it was basically just a metaphor. I knew that surfing was not really a cure for any illness. Surfing is just what
works for most of us. But it can be anything. Cooking, horseback riding, your family...whatever it takes to keep you going. I also know that the darkness is very real. I have been there myself. And yes, I used surfing to help me find my way back to the light. I'm just saying that if you feel the darkness come on...there is help. And there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Your family and your friends would gladly reach out and help you. All I am saying to anyone out there who may feel lost, is there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel. There is love...and for most of us there is surfing. Rest in Peace Lenny.
September 5, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




Paddle for Lenny...September 5, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* 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 surfers and 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.

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 Smart Ass Phones.

Just shoot them and send them along.



(Above) Eddie T Hurricane Leslie. September 5th. 2012. Photo courtesy of ET
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Dr Rick McAvoy on a Big Left somewhere North of where you are sitting.
Friday September 7, 2012. Photo By Pam McAvoy
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) My dear friends the Chamberlains on the West Coast.
Friday September 7, 2012. Photo courtesy of Dr Chambo
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.







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





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

Today- ESA-NNE Saturday September 8th, 2012.
Photos by RALPH



* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Jon Anderson, Lenny Nichols and Bob McNeil are the unsung heroes of this
amazing organization. The ESA NNE . Please support the ESA.
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.























CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos


SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

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 radio, 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 Veltsos, lost her brother Tommy on the same flight.

None of us who were around that day, will ever forget it.

The camera work is jumpy and my voice sounds stressed, but this is what happened in our world on that dark day, 11 years ago this week.

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

 








This is the 5 minute trailer to the NEW SFOD Memory Lane Movies documentary called

"SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS"

It's the true story of the 60 year old man who surfed 365 consecutive Days in memory of a 5 year old girl who lost her battle to cancer in 2009. He called it "Catch a Wave For Molly".

Music is by QWILL

RELEASE DATE 9-14-12

 

SURF ART Exhibit at The Provident Bank in Hampton, NH
Now Thru September 30, 2012
Now through Sept 31 as part of the Provident Bank Lobby for
the Arts Program exhibit of surf art and photography by Ralph
Fatello, Ed O’Connell, John Carden, Ryan Denning, of Alpine
Live, and Ryan Scura and Dylan Ladds of The Granite Stoke.

The bank is located at 321 Lafayette Road Hampton NH and
the lobby is open Mon-Friday 8am-7pm, Sat 9-1 Sun 10-2.




Crackie's been taking "Self Waterboarding" classes. He will be back September 16th. If you have a question no matter how stupid, or absurd, please send it here...crackie@adlantic.com

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




 


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

(Above) All Rise: 10th Street District Court of Surf Justice is now in session, the
Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. CASE 178 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Click the photo to see the outcome of this Surf crime and the verdict.
Photo By RALPH


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













CLICK ABOVE to read the WHOLE DAILY"Catch A Wave For Molly" BLOG. I started the campaign on July 26, 2010 and Ended July 26, 2011. I kept a daily digital blog, of each and every day. There's tons of photos too! It was an amazing adventure. And yes you can still donate to the MOLLY ROWLEE Fundraiser. Click it.




Click above to read the entire MOLLY BLOG in Chronological order



 






We're just getting started here kids...wax those boards and get ready for the REAL deal...



 















(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 2012 "Better to look good than to surf good!"



(Above) Garret breaking new fashion ground. Photo by Gozzo








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