It's getting to the point in my life, where it has now become the norm, to hear of friends and peers passing away way before their time. Last Sunday the world suddenly became a less funnier planet. Patrick Murray an ex WBCN and WZLX DJ passed away. Don't know the causes, but I do know that it was unexpected. We were all still reeling from the passing of Prince (who's passing now appears to have been prescription drug related) when we heard about Patrick. I'm sure some of you are wondering why I would blog about Patrick.

Well, Patrick was a surfer. I know this, because I turned him onto it in the late 80's. He grabbed surfing by the balls and ran with it. To say that Patrick was a stoked individual would be a great understatement. Shit, he left Rhode Island for the Island of Maui. He ate, slept, and drank surfing.



I had, it seemed, created another surf monster. I'm sure you all have turned someone onto surfing at some point in your lives. They either take to it, or they want nothing else to do with it. Patrick took the bait. Hook, line, and sinker.

But Patrick was many other things too. First of all he was hilarious. I mean he was one funny human being. He was a protege to the infamous Charles Laquidara on WBCN. That's where I first met Patrick. Tony Berardini and I were reminiscing about Patrick this past week. Tony said he would come into his office and want to talk surfing. Non stop.

He had an infectious energy about him. He absolutely loved the Nor'easter's version of BLUE JEAN BLUES. He was in the audience at the Channel in Boston, when the video of us playing that song was recorded.

Patrick was the DJ on BCN when I did my final beach report on labor day weekend in 1993, while riding a wave and talking on a big assed cell phone. My friend Jacko Keefe was there to witness it all. Only Patrick could of pulled that off.



He was always commenting on my posts on Facebook. And it seems so strange now, that he and his sharp wit, will be vacant from that social media scene. Though I have to say, if not for Facebook, so many of our old friends would never be in touch. I will be forever thankful, that we stayed in touch after so many years.



Patrick and his wife Jeannie on Maui. I suppose there will be a Surfer's
Memorial Paddle for Patrick somewhere. I'll keep you all posted on that.

Rest In Peace Patrick. May the swell you ride, always be a perfect head high peak, and hollow, with the winds a gentle offshore, under a blue sky.

Speaking of Paddles. Yesterday April 30th, 2016 about 300 surfers converged on Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA to honor and pay tribute to Marine Cpl Chris Orlando. The paddle was put together by his close friend and fellow surfer James McGraghan. Four of us from NH made the trek down. Myself, my son Max, Thom Hay, and Weston Rogers. Like most Surfer's Paddles it was a nice send off to a deserving individual.



And with Chris being a Marine, there was no way I was missing this.



ESM had a nice little blurb about him a month or two back. I shot a bunch of water pics. So there's a gallery down in the pic section. Chris flew in the CH 53 Super Stallion helicopters. Those big birds typically carried around 30 Marines. Grunts on the ground depended on those choppers. For that alone, I salute him.

I never got the chance to meet him in person. But I could tell he was a good surfer. He could surf. I'm sure he's seen the blog a few times too. Just sucks that the only time I had pics of him surfing was after he passed. Maybe he was an unknown in some of the million pics I have. There's a task for his friends. Go through the archives on the blog, and see if you find any of him.



Rest In Peace Chris. Your local surf community and beyond, were
all there for you. You will not be forgotten. Semper Fi brother.

"Surfing Heals All Wounds"

I remember this night. The eclipse of the Moon. Ed "BIG LENS" O'Connell got this great pic of the moon. This was one of my favorites of his. The steady hand of a surgeon, that was Ed O'Connell.
To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Be sure and pick up a copy of the COLD COAST and check out Ed's own gallery.

Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

On Saturday May 21st, 2016 the 2nd Annual McCarthy Strong Walk will kick off from the American Legion Post 35. Click on the image below to see a larger version of this.



The McCarthy name is legendary here on the Seacoast. Please join us in this walk and FIGHT against Cancer.

Also check out the galleries and videos from last week's visit of Long board Pros, Guy Takayama, Harley Ingleby, CJ Nelson, and Austin Hollingshead.



Not only did they get to hang with the locals and show off the new custom longboards, but they lucked into a ghost swell on Wednesday at the Wall. The results of that session are captured by stills and video from yours truly.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
So once again, we are faced with the MOST absurd punishment a NFL team has ever faced. And it's all
because of this clown.



"Hey whoa whoa, don't shoot me I'm just the messenger. Wait that's not entirely true. I was the asswipe behind the 4 game suspension of the BEST NFL QB EVER!!!" Roger fucking
Goodell, can I speak up here? You pathetic piece of vile.

Do you have any idea of the legacy you have created for yourself? I bet you don't. You will be remembered as the BONEHEAD commissioner who fucked up an entire season of NFL fans. Honestly Roger? I think you should check the air pressure in your fucking head. I'll bet anything it's low.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Ah ha! Now it's making sense. KSM was behind this decision. You would think that Goodell would keep better company. Wait, is that Robert too? uh oh. Now we're in trouble.



As always... take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self must pick up a case of suspenders at Home Depot this week.

REST IN PEACE PATRICK MURRAY 1958-2016
Please Pray for a NH Icon from the Seacoast. North Beach Matriarch Jane McCarthy is needing some love and prayers. Jane is the mother of Duffy McCarthy and the whole McCarthy clan. She's been a fixture on the Wall forever.
You all have seen her, you might not know her, but trust me, she has seen you all. And please continue to pray for local Hampton surfer Terry Morrison and his family.

Also please pray for Marine SSGT George Masten. A combat Marine who served in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the purple heart for wounds received in Vietnam in 1967. George is battling cancer. PLEASE say a prayer for him.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 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. Surf For Fun.

Ralph






CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 11 YEARS!

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) This gull knew that we had just scored, and he promised to be quiet.
Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) My black Vinny fish has served us both well in the 36 years in service.
Max keeping the stoke burning. Wednesday, April 27th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Then the boys came out. Austin Hollingshead can't get anymore of those 5 toes over the nose than this. Wednesday, April 27th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Hannah Vokey slicing a little off the top of this green faced gem.
Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Harley stretching one out on Wednesday, April 27th, 2016
Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Memorial Surfer's Paddle for Chris Orlando.
Saturday April 30th, 2016 Photos by RALPH



(Above) Chris was a Marine. He served his country in the Marine Corps flying
in those big CH53 Super Stallions. And Chris was a surfer. The paddle on Saturday was a combination of family, friends, surfers, and a handful of Marines. It was fitting service to this Marine/surfer/hero who died serving
his country. Semper Fi Chris. Saturday April 30th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) James McGraghan was a close friend of Chris. He put the paddle together and he did a good job. It's not easy trying to pull one of these paddles off. But it was good. I'm sure Chris was smiling down on James and everyone else. Saturday April 30th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Me and one of Chris's Marine buddies who also is a surfer. My custom board raised a few eyebrows. But every Marine who saw it smiled.
Semper Fi Marine. Saturday April 30th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery