Cottons - Like we did last summer

Stolen from Pranaglider's blog (23 Breaths):

So with a good 200 degree swell in the water we are heading to Cottons on Sunday for another mat meet.

Be there early, you'll miss some traffic.

Parking is the same as Trestles, you walk down the same path just turn right instead of left when you get to the beach. You can't miss it.

The forecast calls for decent surf so it should be fun. Low tide is at 8:07 am at 2.7 feet which will be good.

If you have questions leave them in the comments section.

Tom and Surfsis Mat L.A.

A study in inflation levels

"Look, ma! No hands!"

Hanging tough in the washing machine conditions

Tom finds a shoulder!

"Yeeeeee haaaaaaaaaw!"

Two mat nerds resting up before making another assault on the waves

Tom and I hadn't met before today, but we did exchange emails in anticipation of his short stay in L.A. We were able to share a session at a local beach break. The conditions left much to be desired. Nevertheless, we were out there getting some. At one point, a guy on an SUP commented to me that he saw us "getting [our] wiggle on"!

I had fun. Tom did too. In fact, he went back for a second session later in the day. (I was home making the kid do summer homework.)

Go get some tomorrow, Tom!! And have a safe, uneventful flight back!

All photos by Ken Samuels

Three 4GFs on One Wave = A Lot of Laughing

Tremor and I decided today would be a good day to hit up the location of the last L.A. mat meet. The waves seemed a bit weak and pointless on first glance. We still kicked/paddled out nonetheless. Tremor wanted to try out his new UDT. I just wanted to ride my mat. And a funny thing happened while I was assuming the session would be mediocre.

The waves got kind of good! Then, I spied someone onshore with . . . what's this? . . a mat!! Marvin!!

And then there were three.

We proceeded to crack up both ourselves and the surfers. The crowd was mellow and nice. That doesn't mean, of course, they were nice enough not to drop in on us or not snake our waves. I've noticed that people think surf etiquette doesn't apply to those of us on mats. Nonetheless, we had more fun than I could ever begin to describe.

One of my highlights was when Tremor gave his mat to a girl on a surfboard. Although she didn't have fins, she still managed to catch a wave. I could hear her screaming and giggling as she found a wave that hurtled her toward the shore.

I'm tempted to say that this was the most fun I've had on a mat. It wasn't. It was, however, the most I've laughed since . . . last Sunday's Orange County mat meet.

Highlights:
- Seeing Tremor find trim on a mat that's more suited to his size
- Seeing Tremor trying to steer a round tail mat that's more suited to his size
- Hearing Marvin laughing hysterically as a wave picked him up and took him away
- Getting a thumbs up from the official mat photographer after I got a nice wave
- Laughing and laughing and laughing until my stomach hurt



Pray for surf!

Photos by Ken Samuels

Out with the Old...

Hello there.

For various reasons which don't need to be gone into, the UK Mat Surfers forum is no more.  It has served us all well over the last couple of years and allowed us to build a robust, close-knit family of mat surfers in the UK with a string of really fun meets under our belts.

Fear not though as we have a blog in it's place which can be found here:

http://ukmatsurfers.blogspot.com/

We have a great momentum going with UKMS and are all committed to keep it moving so please support the blog.

Cheers

G

PS We're now stocking Da Fins in OUR SHOP  :-)

California Mat Meet #3 in Photos

All photos by Ken Samuels

UK Mat Surfers - Mat Meet 7 - Report, etc

OK then. UK Mat Surfers - Matmeet 7 went off in aweful onshore dribble on 13th August 2011.  Despite the poor conditions, 10 surfers made it and as always had a real blast!

Full report and pics are here: http://www.surfmat.org/t785-matmeet-7-report-pics-video

Video will follow... Gonna be a short one...

So, over to the US contingent. Looks like a small long-period swell with very light cross-onshores for you plus a bit of sun so have a good one!


Cheers

G

Another POV Ride



Wategos at Cape Byron

Odds and Ends...

I'm heading up to Oregon for a week on family business, so I thought I'd download all the stuff that's going on in the 4GF world in one big lump!

Sale...

The 4GF Sale is still going strong. Details are spelled out here...

Dead Solid Perfect...

Wandering off the sacred topic of mat riding, Pranaglider nails it with regard to the recently completed "U.S. Open Pro Board Riding, Rioting, and Shameless Sexism Championship," or whatever they call it now...


Spotted by Steiny...

More Dreaded 4GF Testimonials...

Hi Paul,

Just a quick note to say that we've had a few days of decent swell here in the last week so i've finally had a chance to get out with the Vespa. It took a while to get used to as it felt huge compared to the fatty, but i'm loving it now.

Viva la mat! - Neil

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Hi Paul,

I received the 4GF T-shirt a couple of days ago. Very quick too, thank you.

I had an awesome June/July on the Atlantic coast of France. for over 2 weeks in June the surf was outstanding especially at Capbreton, & this is my favorite spot a very consistent left off the jetty, holds up even with onshore winds & a right from the other side of the beach, smaller but still fast. (photo attached)

Most days it was early morning glass & late afternoon juice when the sea breeze kicked in. The "Standard" was perfect. I was getting longer rides then either the board riders or the bodyboard crew. I had arms & legs like noodles at the end of the day. It was "surf, eat, sleep, repeat" for 16 consecutive days, with wave sizes from shoulder high to near double overhead. Tired but stoked every day :))

I got lots of very strange looks & comments & a few laughs, but that usually changed when folk saw how fast these mats go & how they track. Only once as I was walking up the beach at the end of an early morning session a long boarder, commented "Ah just like George Greenough!" I nodded & said "That's right, your the first one in 5 weeks who knows!"

What struck me too was how little fun most of the short boarders & a good proportion for the body-boarders were having. But then I am 63 with nothing to prove & grateful to still be able to do this. I have been back in the water these last 3 years after what must be a 30 year break, its taken some training, but this year I surfed the biggest & best I can remember. I find the mats perfect for me, though I still sometimes use a kneeboard, that feels stiff & unresponsive in comparison. I remember a quote from the "short board revolution" in the early 70's "reduce the medium" mats are the ultimate reduction of the medium between rider & wave! Thanks for a couple of amazing surf craft. I'm going back at the end of August for another go :))

Peter M.

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Hi Paul,

We went matting twice this weekend, and even though it was pretty cold, my daughter had a ton of fun plowing around in the whitewash. Given the smiles I saw after each ride, I think this will be a gateway to paddling outside and getting some clean faces before the Summer is out.

I tried to get some pics to send with my cell phone, but they didn't really come out too well. Hopefully I can talk my wide into bringing the real camera one day soon so we can send something in for your website...

All the best,   Peter O.

---------------

Hello Paul

Thank you for sending out the commodity.

I looks forward to the arrival.

I want to try early because of the wave of Japan.

I'm exciting since now. I report for you.

Takashi

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Hi Paul,

Here's a brief update on my first mat-experience...

First surf was in June in Dubai !! Freaking hot and 32 degr. C water !!
Waves were mushy shoulder high. I had a blast and felt a lot less
silly than the regular guys in the line-up.

The mat feels really good. I like the grip the top layer gives.

This summer I had some more sessions in France. It was fun so I'm stoked !!
Finally noticed the scrible in the fold. Cool !

I think you make a nice product Paul, thanks !

Sandor

---------------

HELL YEAH!! My first surfmat! Thanks to Surfsister!

-Marvin

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Latest From Down Under...

Boyd sent a CD with some recent, super-fun mat riding action from his neck of the woods. Riders are Boyd, George and Dave. Photogs are Max and Wardie.

See all you guys when I get back!!!

Paul

Mat Meet on Sunday

Mat meet this Sunday at Bolsa Chica State Beach in North Huntington Beach.

We are meeting at Tower 21 early (6:30am) to gather and reconnoiter.

Big state beach, lots of parking, bathrooms etc. a family event.

Easy wave, everyone is welcome!

Come early stay late!

Remember "Snakes on a Plane"?

This picture will accompany the print ads for Samuel L. Jackson's newest flick, aptly titled Mats in a Tree!

Photo by Ken Samuels.

Minute Ride

Here's a POV vid from the other day at The Pass in Byron Bay, Australia.

The surf was 2' and fairly fun. This minute wave provided a minute long ride.

------------------------------

Reply from Ian ...

"Just a bystander's view of Matmax's minute ride in Byron..."

(California) Mat Meet #1 Revisited

These photos were taken one year ago this month on an amazing and beautiful day.

It's time to give serious thought to Mat Meet #3. (Recall that #2 took place earlier this summer in L.A. County. It, too, was a hands down success.)

Pranaglider will raise the mat signal when the time is right!!

Photos by Ken Samuels