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The third and final SWS of the 2025 summer season. And boy did we end this season a good note. With actual waves from Tropical Storm Dexter
the kids got to experience a true thrill of a lifetime. As I was taking photos and video this night I couldn't help but think about what actually goes
on behind the scenes of these amazing events. And I am more convinced than ever, that we are all truly blessed to live in this wonderful,
compassionate, and loving community. When you see hundreds of volunteers from all over the seacoast coming together with
one simple goal. To make these kids and young adults smile. How incredibly beautiful is that?
From Lindsey and Taylor to Dave and Heather to Tony and Kevin.
The Hampton Beach Lifeguards under Patrick Murphy,
The Jersey Mike's subs with Crowley Gentile.
To all the hardcore surfers who volunteer their time NOT surfing but actually helping kids surf.
And every single volunteer who come to every event. We see you and we love you for doing what you do.
When you see members of different groups, and surf shops coming together to make these kids have fun in the surf.
That's love.

A BIG shout out to Martha Lardent for the drone footage and In-Water Surf Cinematography Devin Chaganis.
Thanks to you both, this video is my favorite of all 16 years I've been making these SWS videos.
And of course, Ty Tabor's amazing music. Visit his website and purchase some of his music. www.tytabor.com

WATCH IN 1080



Finally, after weeks of knee high we finally got a swell that gave us something to get excited about. Tropical Storm DEXTER gave us chest to head high
waves for several day in a row. And not only fun surfable waves but bright sunshine and warm water. It was damn near tropical round these parts.

I'm dedicating this edit to Shayne and Vanessa. They got married on the best day of this 3-day run of surf. Saturday August 9th, 2025.
Be sure and watch to the very end. I actually got the first video of the newly weds at the Rocks as they went speeding by me
in the XKE Jaguar. Very cool.

Music is by Stephen Wilson Jr. Buy his music at www.stephenwilsonjr.com

WATCH IN 1080
 

August 17th, 2025 The RUN is 1 out of 1 Weeks.
CRITERIA: Waist high or better at least once a week.
There were waist to head high waves for 3-5 days from DEXTER
and a low pressure off the coast.


THE RECORD FOR THE MOST CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IN A ROW FOR WAIST HIGH OR BETTER. January 13th, 2025 was 59 WEEKS!

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.

NEXT BLOG August 31st, 2025.
All future Blogs will be posted on the 1st and 3rd week of every month (give or take a day or two). *Also in the event of any significant swell I will post the week of that swell. Although the blog is now bi-weekly, I'm certainly not gonna pass up a decent swell. So while it's basically going to be every other week, I left it open for some wiggle room.



THE PASSING OF DUGG DESJARDINS. TS DEXTER.
SHAYNE AND VANESSA WED 8-9-2025. MY CONCUSSION.
THE PASSSING OF DALE WEBSTER.



One week ago today, the local surf community lost one of their most colorful figures of recent times. Dugg Desjardins passed on August 3rd, 2025. Dugg was not only a surfer, but he was an accomplished surf artist. Ironically, the day he passed was the day I posted my annual Surf Art Blog. And as I recently mentioned to his wife Ana, I was thinking about Dugg all weekend. Wishing I had reached out to him to send me some of his unique art.

I've only known Dugg since 2009.

But we became friends during my "CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY" Campaign 2010-2011. Dugg would join me during that year sharing waves with me down at 18th Street at North Beach. All we did was smile and laugh and talk about art.

Anyone who knew Dugg has a story to tell. We are having a traditional SURFER'S PADDLE for DUGG on Sunday August 31st, 2025 at The Rocks at 6:00PM. If you knew Dugg and Ana, Please join us as we give Dugg a proper Surfer's send off.

Meanwhile, here's a batch of photos that I took of Dugg and I back in the day. I can still hear us hooting and laughing out there.
Keep paddling brother. Keep paddling.

He was a unique individual. I never met anyone like him.

He LOVED surfing. He loved to create art. He loved his wife Ana.
And if you were his friend? He loved you too.



Please join us on Sunday August 31st, 2025 at the ROCKS for a Paddle
to honor and remember Dugg's life.



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 close and 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 August 17th, 2025



This is a photo of Jerry at the 2012 HIT THE BEACH. Ed was a constant figure at the HIT THE BEACH Days. He was both emotionally connected to these Wounded Warriors and physically connected. He ate slept and bled with the men he served with in Vietnam. Ed and Jerry were both Nam vets and on DAY I of my CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. July 26th. Jerry lost both hands in 1967 and Ed was wounded in 1968. They had a special bond. Both Jerry and I miss Ed as do all who knew and loved him. Photo by Ed O'Connell

*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

COMING LATE SUMMER OF 2025



UPDATE: Fingers crossed. This is the NEW COVER and Back cover. CLICK ON THIS IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE THE full cover. The book will be done by late Summer. By late I mean late early September 2025. Click on the image above to see the full cover and back cover endorsements.

And this book will be available in both hard cover and soft cover on AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, INGRAM, GOOGLE BOOKS, and KOBO PUBLISHING.

SAM GEORGE'S NEW BOOK IS OUT! I'LL BE WRITING A REVIEW SOON. MEANWHILE CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO GET YOUR COPY.

Most of you reading this Blog already know who Sam George is. But for those of you who do not. Sam is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and former editor of SURFER Magazine and SURFING Magazine.

He's also a dear friend that I have known since 1979. He along with Jeff Chamberlain are two of the most prolific writers of our Surfing lifestyle.



SAM and MATT GEORGE's books are both available on
DAP BOOKS. Click on the image above to purchase a copy.

*As soon as my book is finished I plan on doing a big piece on Sam. Complete with an interview. Like I have said many times before, I don't know a single surfer who has been more stoked on surfing for as long as Sam has. He is that never ending grom who eats sleeps and drinks surfing. And that is true no matter where he is on this planet. Sam knows Surfing better than anyone else I know.

DAY V DEXTER.
Monday August 11th, 2025.
0700 hrs. 18th Street, North Beach Hampton, NH
I put my camera down and paddled out. Nobody out there but me. I caught 5 waves. Still some chest high sets. Water still very warm. This was the last place I surfed with Dugg. I surfed this session in his memory. On my last wave (a right) I came into the inside section and tried to kick out. Nope.

The lip caught my board and I exited sans board up and over the pitching lip. In a downward trajectory, I landed head first on top of one of those inside underwater hidden boulders. (*note to self. Must remind the volunteers at HIT THE BEACH about the locale of that boulder)
Anyway, upon contact I immediately felt nauseous and dizzy. I couldn’t stand up at first. Stumbling through the way inside, I knew I was done.
The nauseousness was heavy. The dizziness was causing me to walk like a drunkard 1 yr old toddler.

Truth be told, I was more embarrassed than anything. And I was so upset with myself because I ruined the plans I made with Gabby and the kids to take them surfing today. I came home and Gabby was there with the girls. And I couldn’t lift my head to talk. Took a quick shower and laid down and fell asleep.

Gabby took the girls to the beach by herself and had her hands full. The swell was too strong for her to deal with the kids. I needed to be there. She didn’t last long. It was too much. Anyway, they just left, and 4 hours later I still feel dizzy and sick to my stomach.

I did not call a doctor. But, I did get in touch with my favorite uncle. Uncle Google. If I’m concussed? I need to just take it easy. So I’m good.
What’s the lesson of the day?

“We all start out as kooks-and we all end up as kooks.”

Lost of people chimed in on Facebook demanding that I go to the ER. Here's my reply to that.

"Hey guys thank you for the well heeded concerns. I have been in touch with one of the local Surfer Physicians. The symptoms are subsiding as of the last hour. Have a headache in the back of my head. But the nauseousness is subsiding as well. Just know that I'm not being dismissive about any of this. Besides, I have too much to live for, and far too many people to still piss off. So, I'm good my friends."

Then I caved and went to the ER after reading about Brain Bleeds.


UPDATE. ER and CT Scan results. Concussion/Head injury. No brain bleeds. I need to take it easy and avoid any further head trauma especially while recovering from this injury.

So thank you all for your concerns.




Congrats to Shayne and Vanessa Married on August 9th, 2025!

THE 17th ANNUAL HIT THE BEACH



AND THE VERY NEXT DAY...



Hard to believe we have been doing this for 33 years.

HIT THE BEACH & SURF FAMILY ROBINSON HEALS ALL WOUNDS!



DALE WEBSTER DIES AT AGE 76.



Dale Webster 76 yrs old Some records in surfing will never be broken. Kelly Slater's 11 world titles are top of mind, but in terms of sheer endurance and grit, Dale Webster’s record of surfing 14,642 consecutive days, which is essentially 40 years without missing a session, is virtually unbreakable. Sadly, after 76 laps around the sun, Webster, aka Daily Dale, aka the Daily Wavester, has gracefully kicked out.

Both times I surfed everyday for a year. The first 2000-2001 when I surferd every day in memory of my dad at age 50. And the 2nd time when I turned 60 surfing in memory of Molly Rowlee I would think about Dale. How could I not?

Granted he wasn't dealing with extreme conditions Like I did, but every single day for multiple years? Yeah, that's impressive. And God only knows how long he would have kept going? I mean he was only 76. He could have easily kept that streak alive.

PLEASE KEEP THE PRAYERS COMING FOR SKY ROSA



"SURFING, ART, AND LOVE HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 




I'm sorry. But this image really bothered me. Our president shaking hands with a war criminal. This after bragging for months that if America elects him for president, that he will stop the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. If you are one of those Trump supporters who doesn't believe that? I would simply ask if you would ask that exact question to uncle Google. "How long would it take for Trump to stop the war in Ukraine if we elect him?"
Do it. Google it. I'll wait. He said 24 HOURS! Never happened.
And this BIG Alaska meeting didn't even get a ceasefire. Putin owns Trump. They are two peas in a pod. Criminals.

Meanwhile KSM is playing Clark Kent for the GITMO GAZETTE.
He got the scoop on this gathering of criminals.



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 FORGOTTEN CAMPAIGN PROMISES Books at Home Depot this week.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pete Rizzo August 21st, 2025!
HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY Veda Day Cropper! August 23-2025!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Terence Kirby August 23-2025!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BMO August 23rd, 2025!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kainaulu Nichols August 24th, 2025!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hannah Vokey August 24-2025!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Johnny Fatello August 25th, 2025!
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Please keep LOCAL SURF LEGEND Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
"SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS."

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 21 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

 


Everybody loves seeing the old pics of surfing. Especially here in Northern New England. If you have any old pics please send them off to me via email or social media. My email is ralph@adlantic.com



ROBIN AND RALPH UNDER THE WALL CIRCA 1980's.
This is me showing Robin how to hold the camera while taking movies. Look at how good Robin looks here. With a towel wrapped around him, he's clearly just been surfing. He was one of the best surfers I ever knew. He could surf as good as anyone back then. I miss you big man.
Photo by Elena
*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 or two and go through this year long 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- DEXTER DAY I August 7th, 2025.
Photos by RALPH




(Above) Crowley Gentile opening shots of Dexter. August 7th, 2025.
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.



Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.



(Above) Anthony making it look like summer. Dexter August 7th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Jumping Jack Madden. Dexter Day I. August 7th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



The Haffenreffer family have been helping seacoast families
with their holistic health and optimal wellness for decades.



Welcome Solsticenh.com Melinda is a local NH surfer.
Click on the ad above to visit her site.



(Above) Ryan McGill Riding the Roof Dexter Day I. August 7th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) SC transplant Chris Campbell. Dexter Day I. August 7th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





NEW Client to the BLOG WELCOME 935 OCEAN
Click on the ad to find out where to stay the next time
you're in town.

Today- DEXTER DAY II August 8th, 2025.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Kody Grondin Dexter Day II. August 8th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Braeden Logue Dexter Day II. August 8th, 2025.
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)Chris Campbell Dexter Day II. August 8th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to find out more about owner
and creator Ryan Jackson and NH2o's cool selection
of surf related products.





(Above) Braeden Logue Dexter Day II. August 8th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Ryan McGill Dexter Day II. August 8th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



SALTY PAWS DAYCARE NOW OPEN
Click on the Ad above for more info

 









Today- DEXTER DAY III August 9th, 2025.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Max Fatello Dexter Day III. August 9th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Elisa Delgado Dexter Day III. August 9th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






(Above) Presto Reusch Dexter Day III. August 9th, 2025.
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 David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page



Produced by Steve Saddler.
Visit our Facebook page



The VINNY Band was around from 1976 to 1984




July 30th, 1979 headlining the Paradise Club
In Boston, MA






(Above) Crowley Gentile Dexter Day III. August 9th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Shayne and Vanessa Married on this day. Dexter Day III.
August 9th, 2025. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Today- SURFING WITH SMILES August 7th, 2025.
Photos by RALPH


(Above) The Last SWS of the 2025 Summer Season August 7th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Joe Carter, Brian Nevins, and Nick Machiavelli

Click on the ad above to visit their website



The art of Donna Ambassadorial

 

 



(Above) The McGill family bringing the stoke to this seacoast community event. August 7th, 2025. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Kody Grondin pushing one of the kids into a wave that she won't ever forget. SWS August 7th, 2025. 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.




(Above) Making dreams come true. SWS August 7th, 2025.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

 

 

(Above) This is SURFING WITH SMILES and STOKE.
SWS August 7th, 2025. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

 

 



Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.




Click on the ad above to find out more about
more about local surf artist Stan Chew's art

 

 

Today- SURFING WITH SMILES August 7th, 2025.
Photos by In-Water Cinematography Devin Chaganis



(Above) Be sure to watch the video at the top of this page. Devin has some amazing footage. SWS August 7th, 2025.
Photo by Devin Chaganis
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I think these two were siblings. One thing is for sure, they are so stoked to be doing this. SWS August 7th, 2025.
Photo by Devin Chaganis
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) JoJop righting the ship. SWS August 7th, 2025.
Photo by Devin Chaganis
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) High fives and big smiles. SWS August 7th, 2025.
Photo by Devin Chaganis
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I love this kid. He was beyond cool and super stoked.
SWS August 7th, 2025. Photo by Devin Chaganis
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



 

 






Visit Jimmy Dunn's website to find out where
else he will be performing. Watch Jimmy on the
new FRASIER Click on Jimmy to find out more.
ALL EPISODES OF SEASON 2 of FRASIER ARE NOW STREAMING ON PARAMOUNT+



Jimmy Dunn and Kelsey Grammer
Click the image above or below to see more.






Click on the ad above to visit her Facebook page.

Today- Summer Swell August 11th, 2025.
Photos by Ed Moran



(Above) Ed loves to get up before the sun to capture these amazing images. Summer Swell August 11th, 2025. Photo by Ed Moran
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) I love the spray against the orange fire smokey sky.
Summer Swell August 11th, 2025. Photo by Ed Moran
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

 



I love Erica's whimsical Gull art. So cool and unique.



SECRET SPOT IS NOW OPEN IN HAMPTON.
SECRET SPOT is back in operation on the seacoast.
Thank you.
Jon Gozzo and family.







(Above) Can I get an ENDLESS SUMMER Shout out!
Summer Swell August 11th, 2025. Photo by Ed Moran
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Today- DEXTER DAY II August 8th, 2025.
Photos by Bob Costanzo



(Above) I drove by and saw Bob shooting this pic. Dexter Day II.
August 8th, 2025. Photo by Bob Costanzo
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






Listen to QWILL on the video page.

 

 












(Above) My man Toby Parke toe tapping his way through Dexter Day II.
August 8th, 2025. Photo by Bob Costanzo
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



Today- THE CHAMBO FILES August 3rd, 2025.
Photos by Cap'n Chambo



(Above) Have Boat Will Travel. This kelp cutting surf rig will take you places that not many rarely dream about, let alone see and surf it.
Sunday August 3rd, 2025. Photo c/o Cap'n Chambo
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) This photo will long be treasured by Robert and his son Noah as well as by Cap'n Chambo himself. Dreams and memories were made on this wonderful surf session. Sunday August 3rd, 2025.
Photo by Cap'n Chambo
*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.



Click on the image above to see the cool ocean art
from Alex Walsh.

 




(Above) Dreamy setups and heaps of camaraderie were the order of the day. Sunday August 3rd, 2025. Photo c/o Cap'n Chambo
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- DUGG ART August 3rd, 2025.
Photos c/o DUGG DESJARDINS



(Above) To know DUGG was to love his unique and cool art.
Sunday August 3rd, 2025. Photo c/o DUGG ART
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Every piece he ever did was done with love and pure spiritual stoke. Sunday August 3rd, 2025. Photo c/o DUGG ART
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) DUGG's art was all a reflection of his inner soul.
Sunday August 3rd, 2025. Photo c/o DUGG ART
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Dolpins and surfers sharing a big blue wave.
Sunday August 3rd, 2025. Photo c/o DUGG ART
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I LOVE THIS. DUGG I will see you again some day.
Sunday August 3rd, 2025. Photo c/o DUGG ART
*Click on the photo above 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 1500 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) My friend Stephen Avola LOVES to shoot Big Balls of morning sunrises. And I'm glad he does.
Photo by Stephen Avola
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This totally surprised me. Kayla Gigandet took these while I was shooting the surf the other day. Thank you.
August 2025. Photo by Kayla Gigandet
*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 # 801 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 RALPH
*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 something Friday and Saturday



I'm picking this Saturday August 23rd

 

 

August 17th, 2025

"Ma ma. Oh mommy! Help me please Lord don't let me die out here with all those people watching. Mama, ma!"



(ABOVE) This can't be a good feeling. How anyone would surf this place in the first place blows my mind.
Photo c/o Googleland



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Click here to read Shaun Tomson's first book.