I just sent off a new 4GF prototype to Mat Max down in New Zealand.
As you can see, the Mini Mat (on the right) is a whole lot shorter and narrower than the Standard it's sitting next too.
Max's idea was to have a mat short enough that he could paddle into sucking double ups and transition from paddling to riding without having to pull himself forward. Then, it had to be narrow enough to hold into anything the ocean could throw at it.
I pushed the length and width of the first Mini Mat prototype as small as they could go, just to find out what the extreme limit would do. We should know more within a few weeks...
20 comments:
That sounds great for the shore pound!
Paul,
Is it fair to think of this as a short 5GF?
Or is it even narrower than a 5GF?
Steve...
It's narrower and shorter than a 5GF. A whole new design.
I'm with Mateo. Sounds perfect for the shore pound double ups!
Da Max Mat! We shall see how it fares in steeps and deeps...
Speaking of double-ups, perfect grom's may too!
G
3GF?
The Nutcracker?
"Speaking of double-ups, perfect grom's mat too!"
G-Man: Leave speculative design work to the professionals!
:) :) :)
Another idea:
This might make a good grom's mat as well!
:-D
But what we really want to know is "What does Charlie think?" just sayin'
Jet-propelled Body-Surfing after all, eh?
Seriousliy, PG, there could be a market for kids-of-matnerds.
Something in the shorepound-foamieroller-+-5ft-kidsize+-50lb-range. And it would be in no way cashing in on demographics.
Just consider:
- less material (more waste?)
- less work due to shorter weldlines
- STOKED MATGROMS!!!
I'd order one for our summer trip to Brittany (9 weeks to go) this summer!
Cheers
T
When I came home from gliding some glassy 1' mushers on an XL I found the Mini waiting. What a contrast! 18 breaths and it looks just right for steep and powerful walls. The 2 to 1 aspect plan shape (3' x 1.5') seems proper. Plus of course it's ideal little kid size. Our local inside sand bars are good. Now we just need a decent swell... MAX
The Mini totally works in 1/2 foot waves. The forecast here is for big surf in the next few days, so I'll be able to report more soon... Max
No test flights today as atmospheric conditions were cold and bumpy. MaX
2 to 4 foot peaks today. The Mini is quite fun and easy very to handle. It allows more of the dive aspect when duckdiving. Actually, the volume is such that when I sit on the Mini the whole mat is submerged by a few inches, like a thick shortboard. Catching waves is easy. And it's possible to preposition so as to not need to shift forward. This mat is going to be a real hoot in steep and deep waves! max
Schweet....
G
Sounds like a winner!
Hey Paul is the name "Mini Max" set in stone? Because I was thinking "The Minnow" had a nice ring to it! Nice omage to Gilligan's Island too. Of course you could go with the MaryAnn in reference to the shorter of the two GI possible love interests and keep with the GI theme maybe even rename the 5th GF to Ginger being the taller and thinner of the two. Anyway looks like a great mat.
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