4GF Mail Call...

Hi Paul,

Even though it´s trivial, I just wanted to send you a "report" of my first attempts on the XL in seriously crappy 5 sec. interval 1-2 ft. Miami "surf":

- I don´t have a chin rash again and had that "good feeling" in (!!!) the wave. Did you change the black fabric or am I actually progressing?...

- The XL worked much better for my 200lbs than the Tracker RT in small conditions. (Who would have thought so?)...

- Again!! This time my kiteboarding copilot - smiled about the speedy "glide" once the wave picked him up.

- The other copilot was fascinated by: "You can roll the thing up and put it in your pocket"

Savor the praise and the positive vibe - one can never get enough of that.

Any customers in Dubai? I´ll be there on the 13th.

Cheers from cold and snowy-white Germany

Tom

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Paul,

Mats got here this afternoon, in time for a thanksgiving session!!

I snuck out on the UDT this afternoon. First one I caught, dropped in, banked a bottom turn, and just flew down the line and took it all the way in to the beach.

Number two, banked another bottom turn, took a little line, bottom turned again, and pulled into the barrel and came out.

And then, the next 6 or 7 I completely kooked out and could barely get in or hold a line.

I'm hooked!

Thanks again. I'll keep you updated.

Brett

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Hey Paul,

I just wanted to drop you a small email since I've had several surfs recently on the behemoth mat you made for me! (Greenough-spec UDT.)

The conditions lately have been poor to be quite honest, but the UDT (with round tail and short I - beams) performed as promised!

The take-off was always an easy treat BUT what energy I did conserve kicking into waves was quickly sapped from me after making my way slowly to the line-up again. It's a whole lotta fabric! To be fair, the waves were not always the micro waves I had thought them to be upon entering the water, a lot in the 4ft range and unpredictable. What REALLY surprised me was its ability to 'suck' down onto the wave surface. We suffered no slide-outs whatsoever!

It was really fun being able to only make one basic correction at take-off and then doing else except tearing along the face of messy walls at speed!

The mat is a winner and I thank you!

Regards,

NP

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Hey Paul,

Just wanted to let you know how stoked I am with the mat i got from you, the roundtail tracker! Having a lot of fun out there, despite the entire line up ignoring my presence (narrow minds eh!).

Took a few surf's to get used to it, but each session was building my experience/skill exponentially. Very forgiving and fun mat, stoked I got one!

Thanks again, kind regards,

Barry, NSW, Australia.

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Hello Paul,

Just letting you know the Standard arrived today,23 Nov. Thanks. Also had a great session on the RT at a spot near Margaret River on the weekend Head high sucky wave and the RT went fantastic!!. It will be interesting to see how the Standard compares with the RT. We are getting into summer now so swell is usually low in our summer not that our winter has been good for swell this year ,very few good days.

Thanks again.

Cheers Eric

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Paul,

Yes, Ron is riding a mat all the time and loving it! Doesn't ride his surfboards anymore. We have a trip to Cardon, Mexico planned for next year and are looking forward to bringing our mats.

Easy packing!

Lisa

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Paul

I actually like that I can't read my standard's label anymore because it means that I've surfed it a lot. :-)

Nate

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Thank you Paul, great service a s usual.

I now have a complete quiver of 4th Gear Flyers :)

Go-well,

Peter

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Paul,

UDT arrived on Friday. That's fast. Had a chance to try this past weekend, and wow. Got a few waves that hinted at what is possible. Surf was kinda mushy, but had some size. Quite a work-out. Not used to kicking fins, especially full-size UDT (old style). You need to be a navy seal to use those. A few more sessions and I think I will have a feel for the mat.

Thanks again for your patience and generosity. I think I may be a life-long matter.

Tim

More Orca Action, Courtesy of Michael Cunningham...

NZ Weighs In!

Hi-

Jonathan from NZ here. The mat arrived last week, safe and sound. I can see that you got additional postal information for it, so - thanks for that - and that it cost a bundle to ship. Thanks for that too. I'm sorry to cut into your profit margin that way. I'm doing my best to get my friends to buy mats, spreading the gospel - so I hope you get some more orders, and you certainly will from me in the future!

Been going through some revelations about wave riding in my life. I read something you wrote about the "egoless" quality of wave riding on a mat. I've been seeing/feeling the way wave riding becomes pared to a sort of animal (dolphin, and now we see, orca!) essence... steering away from the hand-jive, dance-like expression that's maybe the best of knee and stand up styles (and far away from the modern skateboard trick style - I call this capitalist surfing, but I won't get started...). Using the mat feels like an exploratory journey deeper into pure wave riding- once again, a surprisingly new thing at this stage of my life.

Next: crawl into some sea-cave and forget my own name....

Regards,

Uh, forgot my name already!

Grapes Of Wraith...

Ian at *%&#^@*# (it's a secret!) some time back.

Cheers,
G

P.S. Feel free to remind people to look at our UKMS merchandise too! :-D

Simon Winchester's Tome To The Atlantic Ocean

Reviewed here...

What Your Air Carrier Doesn't Want You To Know!!!

Tom, a pilot of some repute, inflating his new Tracker RT during a layover in Chicago!

While surfboards and bicycles are getting the shaft under the guise of "excess baggage" at check-in, surfmats are gliding through with nary a notice.

Why is that, you ask?

Sure...deflated mats are tucked neatly away in your suitcase. But a more nefarious mechanism is at work!

You see, "The International Airline Pilot, Mat Rider And Off Duty Social Drinker's Association" (TIAPMRAODSDA in airline industry shorthand) has leveraged its awesome power to influence major carriers' policy. In short, the nose-dripping-saltwater chaps in the cockpit are responsible for your super cheap, surf mat vacations!

Hats off to these flyboys...without them, who knows what it would cost to schlep a quiver of mats on board your flight to Sri Lanka!

Mat Max's New Best Friend!

Details of the surfing Killer Whales in NZ here...

Mat Riding Tips From The Pros!!!

(Photos: Lance Smith)

"The Smash-Mouth Take-Off," as demonstrated by The Kendog. Out of the darkness and into the light!

Chicks Mat Meet 2, Worldwide Edition

A couple of time travelling mat sisters got into the act, 50 years early!


At the Playboy Mansion, Hef's staff had their own get together!

Japan chimed in with the latest multi-tasking mat riding gear...

And at a fashion shoot in the OC, Jarrett Adult Entertainment models took a quick break from their work to show off the latest in mat graphics!

Chicks Mat Meet 2 (Now With No Pictures!)

Yes, I know. Pictures would have been nice. But when it's just you, a fellow female matter, four 4GFs, a dirt trail and a break full of kelp, it becomes a matter of "first things first". The first thing was meeting at the spot. We were coming from opposite directions. I am notorious for having lived in L.A. forever (except for the years in college and the short time I spent living in Europe) and still having no idea of the names of streets. I use landmarks in order to get to places. I always have and always will. So I didn't know how to tell Val to get there. Thankfully, she is a diehard surfer who's going to find a break by hook or by crook. She ended up finding it without much problem.

Once there, we stood on the overlooking cliff to check it out. It was breaking. The kelp was thick. The board surfers were confined to a small takeoff zone. Score!!!!

The next task was deciding which mats to take with us down the trail to the spot. It's not exactly a place where you feel comfortable leaving valuable stuff on the shore. For one thing, it's a long paddle out so the idea of coming all the way in to switch mats wasn't that enticing. Second, there's always the fear of someone walking off with your stuff (because it's a rather deserted break). We each decided it was a day for the Trackers. I took the Square Tail and Val took her new Round Tail.

And the rest, is mat riding history (?) as we had a blast!

One of the things we talked about while in the water was the mat meet at Cottons. Neither one of us had ridden mats much prior to that day. We both agreed that we didn't really know how to ride mats prior to that day. The word "scared" came up a few times as we talked about the conditions. It was perfect for experienced mat riders. For those of us new to the fold, it was a bit daunting, what with those overhead waves and nasty shorepound. With that said, that event was the turning point for both of us. After that, it seems we both were on a mission to become bona fide riders of the mat.

I know I'm speaking subjectively when I say we would have made the matting community proud. We were all over those waves. Kelp be damned! One of my best memories was riding behind Valerie and watching her set the rail on her mat and head down the line. We certainly got our fill. I know my mat riding has come a long way as my mind is no longer going a mile a minute when I take waves. On one wave, I even took my hands off the mat and rode it Superman style. Yes, we've come a long way in our mat riding.

Now I'm already thinking it's time for Chicks Mat Meet 3. If possible, I'd like to hook up with Cher and Gilda. If Steve comes (and, of course, men are always welcome since it's a mat thing, not a gender thing), we shall call it Chicks (and Steve) Mat Meet 3.

Boardbag Blues?

A travel-wise mat rider cashes in on big airline savings!

Paul,

Thanks for getting back to me on this and thanks for all your help in spec'ing and ordering the mats.

I don't know if you have seen it, but just the other day Surfline published an update of the airline transport fees for boardbags from most major airlines ("Boardbag Blues"). Between the high rates and the fact that most times you can't even tell whether the airline will even take your boardbag until you get to the airport, travelling with surfboards is getting to be untenable these days. Perhaps something you can work into the portion of the website which extols the virtues of travelling with surfmats....

Delta - $200 each way per surfboard bag.

United - Domestic $100 each way per surfboard, International $200 each way per surfboard.

American - $150 each way (charge is per surfboard bag if neatly packed and under 50lbs).

Continental - $100 each way for 2 surfboards , $400 each way for 3 surfboards, $700 each way for 4 surfboards.

Taca - $125 each way per surfboard bag (max. 2 surfboards), $175 extra for additional surfboards.

Copa - $75 each way per surfboard bag.

Jet Blue - $75 per bag (max. length 80 inches and accepted on space available basis only).

Southwest - $50 each way per surfboard bag.

Air Paciifc - $50 each way per surfboard bag.

More here...

Just some food for thought...

Regards,
Mike M.

Mats Represented at Andy Irons Paddle Out

I just happened to be at Snapper Rocks, Australia when hundreds of surfers paddled out to form a huge circle to commemorate the brilliant life and tragic passing of Andy Irons, improvisational surfing genius and all-around humorous guy. As the only person on the scene with a lilo, I joined the circle on my 4GF, and represented for matters everywhere. During my three day stay in Coolangatta I was able to mat all the way across Rainbow Bay to Greenmount numerous times.

One really good shortboarder reckoned that everyone should ride mats on crowded days to alleviate the pressure and make for more fun for everyone. The longboarders were stoked to share waves with someone who could glide even further than they could. Everyone was cordial and encouraging.

The whole trip was seamless good clean fun. After a few back to back sessions at Snapper on a brand new 4GF Tracker RT and a fresh 4GF Standard, I reckon that the RT has a bit more glide, and the extra length under the sensitive crotch area provides increased comfort. Whereas the Standard holds onto the waves better, and can turn a bit harder, but splashes the family jewels somewhat more. Thus I found both mats to be tons of fun and could not decide which I liked more. All in all, I reckon that the Standard is still my desert island mat, and the RT rules on long lined-up waves.

On the flight home, the guy sitting next to me had seen me matting both here in NZ and over in Aus, so we talked the whole way, making the flight time pass in seemingly a few minutes. Overall, I was super-stoked to mat heaps of long waves at the most crowded spot on the planet, and to join hands with over five-hundred other surfers to send good vibes to Andy in surf heaven.

Heads Up, UKMS Mob!

A new tow-in spot for you! :)

Pigs On The Beach!

Paul,

If you're interested, I've got a travel blog about my trip to New Zealand here...

A bit more mat love- I've been surfing a place that requires a hike of several kilometers to access. Some folks take their ATVs and four-wheel drives there. I've been offered rides from those people (an adventure in itself!), and am positive that carrying a rolled-up mat as opposed to a full-size surfboard, helped me get a lift!

Thanks...

--Jonathan

Hello Kitty Tat Craze Threatens The Mat Riding World!!!

Surf Sister's new tattoo keeps her landlocked for a week!

Will this disturbing trend keep even more mat riders out of the water?

This is getting out of hand, Paul...

I spent the last week out of the water because of my new tattoo. I was chomping at the bit to get wet today. I got to the break. I suited up. I pulled The Minx out of the car. As I was about to wax her, I looked at the small waves that no one was on. They were over here. The majority of the surfers were over there. Guess what happened? I kept looking at those waves, at the crowd and at my board. Before I knew it, I was sliding the board back into the car. A few minutes later, I was on the sand—blowing up the mat and throwing on some fins.

One of the people I always see at this break said I was grinning from ear to ear on one of my waves. I know there were a couple where I came up whooping. It was yet another perfect session on my mat. I was on my Tracker Squaretail, by the way. I think that mat works better for me than the Standard. I'm wondering if this has something to do with the female anatomy and the fact that we carry most of our body weight lower than men do. It doesn't matter though. Both mats surf beautifully.

This mat thing has got a hold on me. Lord, it must be love!!

SS

How Much Fun Do You Wanna Have???

A big shipment of material just arrived!

And...

The 4GF Standard will go on sale for the month of November.

$135 USD.

The Standard is our all-time favorite high performance mat, and we think everybody under 200 pounds should have one in their quiver.

But, if you're over 200 lbs, consider one anyway, because when it's head high or better, it flies. A lot of plus-sized mat riders have tried a Standard, and are blown away by how much fun they have when the surf has some grunt.

How to order:

Write me at fourthgearflyer at yahoo.com, and put "Standard Sale" in the subject line. (You don't have to use that subject line, but it will help us.) I'll get back to you within a day or two with the ordering instructions.


Several Provisos:

This offer won't be held over past the end of November. One month only. If someone orders one on November 30th, and the time stamp on the order is Dec 1 or even 2, that's OK. Things like that happen when dealing with world wide customers living in all the various time zones, etc. But no whining that you want the Standard deal on December 3rd!!!!

This offer will not be a part of the "buy two get one free" deal. If you want a quiver during the month of November, it's $398 for three mats, regardless of what mats you want.

No promises on the delivery time. We're all caught up at the moment, but if a lot of orders come in due to the sale, then we might have a 2-3 week build time. But no more than that.

Any non-sale orders that come in this month will go straight to the head of the line.

This offer won't be posted on our web page. This is for the readers of Surfmatters. Of course, anyone can order a Standard on sale, but we aren't going to post it on our site.

Some nice shots of Greenough riding the Standard...