Got good surf pics? Send em off to me directly.
(See link below) Just make sure they're NOT huge
files. In fact if you have any questions about the
size, email me first and I'll write back.
Start shooting crackie!!
Ralph Pic Of The Week


If you want to access the Pic of the
week from past weeks click here.
Archives

October 8, 2006

Hope you all got some today. I stood on the beach shooting all day and could not believe how many people walked up to me and said..."I had NO idea there were waves today!" Now how is that possible? I mean really. How is it possible that in 2006 you would NOT know there's surf? With wave cams at every other beach, and surf reports on every shop line, and the online surf reports...? Not to mention, your buddies and their cell phones. And how about, just plain local knowledge? What did we all do before modern technology made our lives so easy and simple? I know. We woke up early and checked the surf. The old fashion way.

That's what we did today, and we scored.

If you didn't surf, you missed some clean waist to chest high glassy perfection. Not epic by any standards, but good, solid, fun, high performance surf. Lenny Nichols and the local ESA crew hooked up with Mike Paugh's Zapstix shop and ran a contest today, and it was fun for all contestants, of all divisions. I mean, any time you can surf clean fun waves, with just a handful of friends, has got to be good. Some of these young groms are getting pretty good. Good clean healthy fun.

And if you don't believe me...take a look at the photos I shot today...oh yea baby, now that's what homey's talking about!

Before I forget, I wanted to point some things out to those who might not know me. Or, to those, who may have forgotten who I am, and what I'm about.

First of all, my name is Ralph. This page is called Ralph's Pic Of The Week. My life is an Open Book. Anyone who knows me, will vouch for that. My name is all over my movies and on this page every week.

Secondly, I DON'T HATE ALL CANADIANS. (Go back and read what I wrote) I said I had a problem with a few of them. Some of my best friends are from Canada.
I had a problem with one guy from Quebec who told me to F- -K OFF in the water. Period. Guess what? I'd have the same problem with anyone who said that to me. Whether he was from Quebec, Kansas or Hampton. You getting this?

And finally, I support local photographers. The page is called Ralph's Pic of The Week. I get photos from local photographers every week. I post these photos every week. It's what the page is all about. Yes, it's partly my editorial comments, but it's always been about the photos. Always.

I write about New England surfing. I make movies about surfing in New England. And my audience is New England. I'm NOT trying to produce the next ENDLESS SUMMER. I've never tried to get any of my movies distributed. I don't want to. I like making movies about New England for New Englanders. I'm not trying to spread the word of surfing in New England to the ENTIRE Surf world.

My comments about keeping images vague is just that. My opinion. Half the photos that come into my mailbox each week has a caption of where the shot was taken. Guess what? I edit them. The photographers don't mind that I edit the content, and it leaves the viewer with a sense of imagination and adventure, which is what surfing is all about. In case anyone out there forgot that.

Imagination and adventure.

I will say this. I will NEVER post an aerial shot of New England on my page. Why? Because, I believe they are Maps. They rob the viewer of their imagination. And if there's anyone out there who can't see that, well, I can't help you. I'm sorry, I'm not a doctor.

That's my own personal opinion.

And lastly. To those of you who are calling Older Surfers out on the beach and actually threatening them with violence. Be careful of what you wish for. Be VERY CAREFUL. And don't forget, you too will some day be old. And that day, will come sooner than you think.

Mark my words.

Let me finish by talking about what a true local is. As far as I can tell. The only true locals I'm aware of are, the original Native Americans who hunted, fished and swam in these waters, in and around New England. So unless you've got Native American blood running through your veins. You're NOT a true local. As far as Surfing locals? Well that's a different story. I've heard all kinds of accusations being bandied around about who's a true local, and who's not a local. And really, there are no true guide lines about how to measure your status at a local break. But let's start with the basics here.

If you were born and raised in an area that has surf (Like Hampton) and that's where you surf, then clearly, you are a local. If you were born and raised in a general area such as Northern New England and you've surfed in Northern New England all your life (RI-Maine) ...guess what? You're a local. If you've only surfed in an area for say, 10 years. You're a local. If you've only surfed for 5 years...well you get the picture. The point I'm trying to make is...if you're familiar with a break and the people who surf it. Then you can, and should, feel comfortable being considered a local.

You don't have to live on the beach, to be a local.

However, you should RESPECT those who live in the area that you are surfing. You should RESPECT those who came before you, and you should always pick up your trash and keep your trash talking down to ZERO. Buy from the local shops. Be pleasant in and out of the water.
Give a wave- get a wave.

Pretty simple rules to live and surf by.

So much for October starting out as my favorite month. My poor mother is dealing with terminal brain cancer...it's been stressful. I know the cycle of having your parents go before you all makes sense, it's just that watching a parent slip away is very difficult. And if that wasn't bad enough, her birthday is at the end of this month.

I lost my dad six years ago, and a year ago this month, we lost our beloved Jerry. My wife's father, my father-in-law and our kids Grampy. He was 64 when he passed away suddenly of a heart attack. We've never gotten over it. Now watching my mother go, well, it's hard. The thought of never tasting her home cooked meals again, or listening to her laugh, or just watching her reaction when I tell her of our surfing adventures, has weighed heavily on my family. So I guess, I should share with you, this bit of friendly advice. Make sure you tell your parents that you love them every chance you get.

You'll never know when they'll be gone for good.

I was wrong about ISSAC last week, and I was soooooo wrong about the Patriots. Man was I wrong. If you remember, I made a bet with my brother Johnny about the game between the Pats and Bengals. He thought the Pats would win. I did not. I thought the loss of, Ty Law, David Givens, Willie McGinest, Adam Vinatiari and Deion Branch had finally hurt them. I was wrong. Dead wrong . But, at least I admit it. The bet between my brother and I was an old fashion "NOOGIE" on the head. The good news is, he was so happy that they won, he actually forgot about our bet. Ha!

I mean, who the hell gives out Noogies now-a-days?

Ok I'm going to go out on a branch (No not Deion Branch) here this week and claim that the Patriots should win their division. I mean, from what I can see, it looks like they should win easily. The AFC East Champions is my prediction. Check back in a few weeks to see how close I am. Hope I'm right.

REST IN PEACE Buzzy Trent.
Happy Birthday John Lennon
Happy Anniversary Cory. I love you.
And a Big Sorry to all you Yankee Fans out there...cuz I know there's a few of you.
Hey check out this cool petition about the Sea Wall
at North Beach in Hampton.


Remember my friends...Surfing heals all wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.


Ralph


P.S. Thank you for keeping my Mother in your thoughts and prayers.

 



Yesterday 1975 Local New England Boy JT in the Caribbean
This was the trip of a lifetime for JT and I. We had no idea where we were going when we landed at this
dusty airport. We did not know for sure if there would be surf when we got there. Yes we got ripped off by
some local cab driver. Yes I got food poisoning. And hell yes, we did get surf! And we made some friends
for life on this trip. Jeff Chamberlain and Sam George.
That's what great surfing trips are all about.
Photo by Jeff Chamberlain



Today 2006 As in Today Sunday October 8, 2006
I shot all of these this morning before the contest. And a few during the contest. As you can see, it was
clean and green. All photos by SFOD R. Fatello




(Above) Empty Line-up with no takers. Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Closer view of the Empty Lineup Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Mackey V paddles out...before the contest starts. Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Steve Franson Rides his Blue Fish on a Green Face. Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Mackey V samples a right...before the contest Photo by SFOD R. Fatello




(Above) Can you feel the sensation of the surfer sitting on his board drifting up the face?
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Unidentified backsider just outside the contest area. Photo by SFOD R. Fatello




(Above) Kenny Woegel from Maine enjoying the glassy conditions Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) How do you put these things on? What the jersey? No the boots! Surf buds Jeff Smith
and Mike Paugh.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) He ain't heavy he's my son. Papa Lenny Nichols giving little Kai a lift out of the shorebreak
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello



(Above) Remember when you were 14 and 15 years old? Kids having fun at the beach in October.
Photo by SFOD R. Fatello




Parting Shot -Who needs a nose?
The guys in Hawaii get the most out of their gear. This guy lost his nose but it didn't seem to slow his
actions down much.
Photo courtesy of Bernie Baker



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Click On Wave to Go Back to The Top.