SIX DAYS OF WAVES FROM HURRICANE DANIELLE & EARL.
I suppose I owe you all an apology for being late. It's not like I'm late all the time. In fact, if I go back in my memory bank, I think I've been late maybe 4-5 times in the last 18 years. But here's the deal. As most of you know, the Blog is from Sunday to Saturday every week.
But EARL hit on Friday and went right through to Monday. I couldn't just stop midway through the swell to get the Blog up. Especially if the Blog is all about EARL. So I made the decision to keep shooting until EARL's last gasp. And as a result of that decision, you have 10 galleries of EARL in this week's Blog. You can thank me later. Actually, thank the other photographers as well. This week's Blog was a community effort.
This is Cam MacLeod on Friday morning 9-9-22. He was one of the only people I knew out there. But this was the first real day of EARL. I could see the long period swells making their way to the beach that morning. It was so glassy (almost the entire swell), and very consistent. Keep in mind that Cam is 6'7" so the waves were clearly starting to get bigger with each pulse.
I shot this on Saturday morning September 10th, 2022. Not sure who this is, I am sure of what it is though. This is what happens when AIRS go bad. He's gonna land in some shallow water right there, with some not so friendly rocks just below the surface. When the water temps are super warm, and the tropical air permeates the air temps, people tend to get looser in their approach to surfing. This is not something you'd typically see on a cold winter's day.
This is my son Max on Friday September 9th, 2022 on Nantucket Island.
Photo by Jacquie Wright.
This is Dougie Wright on Sunday September 11th, 2022. "Fresh" timed his visit back home perfectly. So stoked that he got this swell.
Photo by Ed Moran
And these boys drove all the way up from Cape Hatteras. Must have been quite the treat for them surfing point breaks as opposed to sand bottom beach breaks. I shot a lot of video of these guys. They could surf. The EARL video will be in next week's Blog.
What a pleasant surprise seeing this old friend again. Ryan Schnell was in town from California documenting the EARL swell. Ryan is one hell of a surfer, but he's been doing more shooting the surf these past 5 years or so than actually surfing. But you know what? He can shoot as good as he surfs. He's got a killer gallery down in the photo section.
21 years ago today, we were all out surfing Hurricane Erin. Today we were all out surfing Hurricane Earl. Most of you who follow this Blog know of the annual 9-11 Tradition that we (surfers) all started 20 years ago. We all meet at the same spot we were at, the day the world came to a stand still. Every 9-11 a small handful of surfers show up at the surf spot we were surfing that day to pay our respect to those who perished that day. From left to right: Duffy, Johnny, Tony, myself, and Markey. Call it an unwanted tradition.
Let it be known, that we surfers remember. And we will never forget.
Tyler and Markey send out a gesture to Al Qeada on 9-11-22.
The 9-11 GWOT ceremony at AMERICAN LEGION Post 35 on Sunday September 11th, 2022 was very well attended. Of all the things I have done in my life, this is the one I am most proud of. Spearheading this monument and this somber observance back in 2006. Including, designing the monument itself. The only monument of its kind, in the entire nation. Each year on 9-11 we add the names of the newly fallen from the state of New Hampshire in the Global War On Terrorism.
I was Commander from 2001-2014. I was asked by a reporter back then “Ralph what are you going to do when the war on terrorism is over?” My answer back then, is the same answer today. “There are terrorists who have not been born yet, that our children, and grandchildren will be fighting in the future.” In other words. The Global War On Terrorism is forever.
Looking back on this project and the men who worked with me. Joe Kutt, John Barvenik, Jimmy Cushman, Arny Platridge, and the late George Masten.
I have nothing but fond memories of those days. I'm happy to report that our current Commander Berk Bennett, has carried that torch and kept this somber Observance and Remembrance alive. The whole seacoast community comes out every 9-11 to pay our respect to those who have died fighting in the Global War On Terrorism since September 11th, 2001.
"HONOR AND RESPECTING THE FALLEN HEALS ALL WOUNDS."
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From the Ed O'Connell galleries. This is "yours truly" surfing the wall on September 8th, 2008. Unbeknown to me, Ed was sitting in the Jetty using his 500mm lens and was picking off shots left and right. To this day, it's one of my favorite pics of me surfing. Thank you for that Ed. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.
NOW FOR SOME LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWS
Thanks to your generous donations, we are closing in on $45K in under a week. I know that I speak on behalf of the entire staff at Cinnamon Rainbows, when I say, "Thank You from the bottom of our hearts."
It's all so truly humbling. Because of you, there's light at the end of the tunnel. And it gets even better, there's going to be a POP UP SHOP in the parking lot! Stop by the shop and pick up whatever gear you need under the tents in the parking lot. Meanwhile, I'll see you on the beach. If you spot me shooting pics and vids, come on over and say hello (just wait until I put my camera down). And whatever you do, try not to walk in front of my lens. (ha ha).
Again, Mahalo my brothers and sisters who made such generous donations. You guys are the freaking best!
*Click on the photo above to make a donation
CINNAMON RAINBOWS SURF COMPANY
GO FUND ME PAGE
This is a photo of the shop the night of the fire. Our hearts go out to the owners of SECRET SPOT and The NORTH BEACH Bar & GRILLE Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers too.
*Click on the photo above to make a donation
The HARVEST MOON coincided with the Hurricane Earl Swell. And it was every bit as breathtaking as you could imagine. I took this pic with my cell phone. So the quality is mediocre at best. It was one hell of a weekend.
Unless your a Patriots fan...ugh.
The Patriots played the Dolphins on OPENING DAY 9-11-22. They lost in more ways than one. The only real highlight of the game was when they focused on Mike Tyson in the booth with Robert and Jonathan Kraft. This is some bizarre shit.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II passed away last week. She was an exceptionally gifted woman who did so much in her 96 years.
The whole world is mourning her passing.
"Grief is the price we pay for love."
Queen Elizabeth
II
KSM Photoshop of the Week
So if I had to guess, I would imagine that most of the readers of this Blog have no idea who KSM is. Some people actually thought it was Saddam Hussein. It's not. Khalid Sheik Mohammed is the man who came up with the concept of flying airplanes into designated targets. In short, it was KSM who thought that flying fully loaded jet airplanes, filled with jet fuel into tall buildings, would cripple America. He was, as it turned out, only partly right. It did cripple us, momentarily, but it also did something else. It filled us with a terrible resolve to fight back.
And we've been fighting back ever since. So while he still sits in GITMO day after day, living in a boring existence, we have continued to hunt down his cohorts, and have systematically killed them. One after another. And we will continue to hunt them down, as long as they exist. REMEMBER 9-11. Have a nice day Khaliddy (NOT!)
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 Korans at Home Depot this week.
*Click on the photo above to make a donation
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jaiden Ciarmataro September 4th, 2022!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Max Fatello September 14th, 2022!
REST IN PEACE Jack Kelly longtime friend and fan.
REST IN PEACE Jim Harold. 1943-2022
REST IN PEACE Robin Rowell 1953 -2022
GET WELL SOON Ryan Jackson NH2O!
PLEASE keep Kim Grondin in your thoughts and prayers.
Please keep local surfer Mike Keefe in your thoughts and prayers in the next few months during his treatments. Hang in there Mike!
Please keep local Surfer/Musician Pete Kowalski in your thoughts and prayers. SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS!
Please Keep local surfer Bill M. in your thoughts and prayers.
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 18 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
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Yesterday- TWENTY ONE YEARS AGO TODAY.
(Below) The waves from Hurricane Erin were the kind of waves we surfers dream about. Perfect 6' grinding waves pouring onto the beaches and point breaks up and down the east coast. A day that one of us will ever forget.
Before the clock hit high noon, none of us could think about surfing. This day changed the world forever.
Video frame grab by Ralph
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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.
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(Above)
Tyler Moore survived a hairball wipeout the day before.
But still managed to scratch into this glassy beast. HURRICANE EARL. Sunday September 11th, 2022 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Carter Walsh Kelp City. HURRICANE EARL
Sunday September 11th, 2022 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Don't know who this is, I just know that he was trunking it. HURRICANE EARL Sunday September 11th, 2022 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
Today- HURRICANE EARL. DAY IV. September 12th, 2022.
Photos by RALPH
(Above) The first pic I shot this morning. This might be BMO.
HURRICANE EARL. Monday September 12th, 2022
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) 31 year old Max Fatello on his brand new CR board.
HURRICANE EARL. Monday September 12th, 2022
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Casey Lockwood from a long sequence. Did he or didn't he?
Find out in the gallery.
HURRICANE EARL. Monday September 12th, 2022
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) The one and only, Kevin "DOC" Grondin. HURRICANE EARL. Monday September 12th, 2022 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Becca Speak on a longer board and wearing a helmet.
Both good calls in my honest opinion.
HURRICANE EARL.
Monday September 12th, 2022 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
Today- The Ryan Schnell HURRICANE EARL Gallery.
September 9-10-11, 2022. Photos by Ryan Schnell
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