Dec 30, 2013

From Aaron ...



Photos by John Fourqurean
 

Aaron on a Lotus 7 at Rincon, the day after Thanksgiving...
 
 

Dec 29, 2013

Dec 27, 2013

The Money Shot ...



Aaron at Rincon.

Lotus 7.

Photo:  Ryan Lovelace

Dec 23, 2013

From Surfy Surfy ...



Paul

I got the Lotus 7 today and got to ride it in some pretty good waves, glassy shoulder high with some overhead sets long peeling walls on some, fat shoulders after bowly take offs on others.

Must say the curtains have parted for me on this mat deal. For the first time I really felt like I was surfing the the thing instead of just riding it. Nice to be able to engage the rail and drive off the bottom and bla bla bla. To keep it brief I'm really stoked on the width works really good and I can duck dive it 1000% better.

Think this may be my daily driver as it just feels right for my height and weight. Pulled out of one set wave thinking I could go a little narrower next time.

Thanks so much,
Peter St Pierre

Sent from my iPad

Dec 20, 2013

Michelle and Bretto ...


 
 








Hi Paul,

I have a couple of ripper pics of George, taken from my balcony. Im down the coast at the moment and they are on a chip at home so I will forward them on my return.

Meanwhile here's a couple of Michelle on her first try of the DRP Standard, she says the mat goes off and she loves it !!!

Bretto

Dec 18, 2013

Video of the Year !!!




Just in time for the new year, Queensland weighs in with the most incredible surf footage imaginable...

Dec 17, 2013

From Aaron ..



Photos: John Fourqurean


Paul,
 
Met a nice man at Rincon yesterday morning during a high-tide session. He is interested in getting a mat. He looks like he weighs around 160 lbs. Omni could be a good mat for him to learn on.
 
He was nice enough to forward a photo sequence he took. This was a small inside wave where I was setting up to go head-first, with a little hand drag for style. The mat is the Lotus 7. 
 
All the best,
 
Aaron

From Tom ...



One cool thing about being a surfmatter is spotting another mat rider and knowing who he or she is, even from a great distance away. This looks like Ace, last week. By the time I got out there, he had paddled off to another reef.

Tom

Dec 14, 2013

From Sam B ...





Photo of the big cube at Maroubra beach. Second photo at nearby suburb where a local developed the first surfmat some 80 years ago.

According to Surf Research website, "On 14th December 1933 the Patent Office accepted a Trade Mark design for the "Surfo-plane".

PG, I'm loving the 4GF Classic experience so much it's my one and only squeeze. If you can make out the scars on the second photo it's where the Classic has kissed reef we were navigating over - so am considering a back-up.

Hello from Sydney where: all we want for Xmas is a Tropical Cyclone swell.

Sam

Dec 10, 2013

4GF Sale Reminder ...



The 4GF Holiday Sale is still going on!

$25 rebate on high end mats through the end of the year.

We're caught up on the initial order rush, so any orders received in the next few days will go out within 48 hours. 2-3 day shipping time in the United States...7-14 days foreign.

Dec 8, 2013

Last Testimonials of 2013 ...



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

Thanks Paul

Gift for our son we're looking foward to his bday and some beach time.

Regards ....dc

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hi paul,

as an old Malibu surfer who started on a raft in  1956, after 56 years of surfing i'm back, due to physical limitations, on a raft. yes you can go home again...

will
msa member 1965

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

Cheers Paul,
 
I rode my little hull on the weekend. The waves were really nice on the hull. But too many guys out, only got a couple of waves. So went in, got a mat out, surfed some mush further down and had a far better session :)
Take it easy.
Steve
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hey PG, hope you're well!
 
I've been scoring a bunch of great waves on my GS-UDT! Man, what a mat. I've only tried the 5gf a few times - a ton of speed and hold in the juicy stuff, but it feels like too much of my shoulder hangs off the inside edge, creating a lot of drag when I'm in trim. Any advice for adjusting to a mat that's so much narrower than my shoulders?
Updates aside, I'm emailing is to inquire about one of those mini-mats. A friend of mine, Jon Wegener (one of the two brothers behind the Alaia and Paipo trend, and also a pretty notable shaper of sustainable surfboards) asked me about getting one for his daughter, Sydney, who's a skinny, tiny 10 year old girl. Their whole family spends time in the water, and Sydney LOVES matting - but her pool-toy version sprung a leak...
The Wegeners live down in Encinitas, and depending on the price, I might just order her one and bring it down to her. Alternatively, if you're interested, I could put you in touch with Jon, and maybe you two could work out a trade for a paipo. It's totally your call, and there's no pressure either way.
In case you're interested, here's a little info on the paipo from Jon's (more famous) brother, Tom: http://www.thepaiposociety.com/2012/07/02/tom-wegener-the-paipo-and-surfing/
Cheers!
Tremor
 
--------------------------------------------------------------



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

Paul.  Just purchased.  Thanks for expediting the order – headed to Newport Beach, my kids should love it. I appreciate that you brought back the old Classic!
 
Thanks

Cary
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Nate is very excited about trying it. I think his roommate in San Diego has the same model.
Thanks again!

M

 
--------------------------------------------------------------
 
Had a few fun surfs on the omni/fatty. Fatty was great! Flat-faced waves everywhere. We surfed wategoes on the way home yesterday. Such a fun wave. Audi and I were having party waves almost every wave and crossing over and sharing the power. We love that the most. 
 
NP
 
------------------------------------------------------------------
 

hey Paul been a while since we've caught up.

 
have done a few missions to SR this season already. 2 trips ago i caught 1 wave down the point never felt the mat go so fast was fourth gear flying lol. this last swell I went left off the reef caught a solid deep tube ride. My round tail tracker has been working better then ever. so pumped on that mat. Trying to save up to get the greenough 17ft boat but that will be a few years in the making. Hope all's well.
 
Chad
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,
 
Perfect timing as we plan to 
head to the beach this
weekend!
I will let you know how our first 
Surf Mat adventure goes. I
am so excited!!
 
Thanks again & I'll keep
you posted.
 
Have a nice nice evening & 
thanks for putting my name
on mine! 😄
xo
Tess :)
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Paul- Many thanks for the very prompt reply. I'll be ordering my Surfmat within the next few days.
 
I'm not used to such good service.....
 
Once again thank you.......Scott
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
I'm lost in Sacramento with four days till I head south. I might even get in the water on tuesday of next week. What novel thought!

I am feeling, thinking and dreaming a new mat.

Kendog
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,
The surf mats arrived! Yeah!
We will hopefully be trying them out this weekend. 
Keep you posted!
Thanks for everything!
 
Happy Friday -
Tess :)
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Paul-
 
Rode the Omni in lined up point waves for the first time this morning. It works wonderfully!
 
There was a bit more swell than I expected, I got some nice open faces. Excellent glide and speed. It seemed to be easier to trim up out of a bottom turn/drift. Easy entry into waves and, after riding the mini exclusively for a few weeks, plenty of float. I am really stoked. The mat works quite well.
 

Thanks again,

Steiny

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


-------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Paul,
 
I have never gotten this level of customer service.
Thanks for your time.
 
Now just to decide.
 
Rick

---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul
 
Got the mat today after we got back from the beach. Thank you very much for finding a solution for me and for getting it here so quickly. Looking forward to trying it out in the ocean tomorrow (my oldest put it in the bath tub and wanted to try it but had to call safety violation and make him wait until tomorrow).
 
Thanks again very much. I appreciate it and wish you the best.
 
Chris
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Awesome!  Thanks!  I can’t wait to get in the water with my new Fatty.  Haven’t surfed a matt since the 70’s.  This is going to be so much fun.
 

Kathy

Ocean City, MD
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 


I've read everything I can find on mats...not like just blow it up all the way and just lay on top is it?
Sounds like a real kick. I'm surprised its not more popular...
 
Jim
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 Just tried out my tracker. Super fun. 
Thanks
Teak
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,
Got the surf mat today and gave it a test ride this morning in about waist high surf.  Super easy to catch waves, too bad I can only go straight.  I'm not much of a body boarder so I was dragging my legs all over the place.  Plus I don't use fins a lot.  I gave it to my wife and she was super stoked.  Can't wait for her to get back with a report and how it works with the baby belly.  Thanks again Paul!!!!!
Andre
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
U DA MAN!!  
 
thanks again 
 
gary
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hey Paul,

                Me and my kid (11 years old) took our mats to Santa Barbara last week and had a blast. We laughed so hard our bellies hurt.

                The mats are FAST, and they make mat surfing totally different.

I’ll probably order more to take to Mexico.

Bruce
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Paul,

I just ordered the Fatty... getting stoked already :). Thank you so much for getting it going so quickly for me and please let me know if you need me to add more PayPal $ for any expedited shipping (according to the PayPal site delivery was estimated to take 1-2 weeks).

with much appreciation,
Adam
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Good Morning Paul,

First: I want to let you know that I greatly appreciate and respect your efforts and longevity as a part of surf culture. Much mahalos.

I am 6'7" tall and weigh 225 lbs (tall/swimmer-type build). I just measured 45" inches from the top of my shoulder to my kneecap if that is any help.

Omni?, XL?, a round-tail?... I've got no experience on surf mats or boogie boards and I am open to your recommendations from any mats you may have in stock.

Thank you again,
Adam
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Thanks Paul,
 
I'm really looking forward to it.
Thinking it may open some fresh opportunities here.
Thanks again
Aloha
Denis
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,

 

Been having some computer issues, but i wanted to let you know that the Vespa arrived today.

Thank you so much for your quick delivery and correspondence.
 

Your professionalism is much appreciated and a high water mark for many small businesses to strive for.

Can't wait to get it in the water this weekend, i'll be sure to pass on any inquires from other surfriders to your site.
 

BTW; The SurfMatters blog is a great resource, i was originally researching body surfing fins a while back, found your blog and that's how i found out about the surf mats. 
 

Cheers,

Peter G

 


-------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Paul,
It has been an active summer for me, and quite some time (four and half months) since I purchased the Standard from you during that spring sale.  As it turns out, for a rider of my size (5' 8", 145#) it is a fantastic mat in the 3-6' range, especially when the waves are fast and hollow.  After riding my TRT and 5GF mats all winter, I found the Standard responds much in the way a squash tail thruster (80s shape) does, as compared to winged or rounded pin tail surfboard (70s or fun shape).

With its decidedly square template, the Standard is quite maneuverable in the pocket and turns on a dime out on the face.  The real key lies, as most experienced mat riders know, in riding it at only partial inflation, say 90-100 degree bend in the mat when inflated.  When "floppy," the Standard provides amazing speed in the curl and off the bottom, and a trim sensation heightened by having less mat underneath me.
Hope you are getting waves and looking forward to a great fall.  Good luck with mat production and sales.  One day me and my bro Jason want to hook up with you for a surf/story session, as surf stoke is the stuff of life.  Thanks for such a great blog; it's truly inspiring to see how many stoked riders there are out there, especially when it feels like I'm the only one for miles here on the North Coast.
Two thumbs up on the Standard model, my bro may just want one too!
Stoked as Ever,
Jeffrey G.  
 
-------------------------------------------------------
Thanks.
 
All the mat grabbers at Moonlight Glassing thank you. I just hope I get to use 
it. 
 
Allen
 
-----------------------------------------------------
 
Thanks!  We are looking forward to it!  It is for my husband and he can't wait to get in the water with it!

Julie
--------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul
The Mat arrived yesterday, it's a beautiful work of art done by yourself
 
Thank's for the written dedication on the flanges !

Surfed it today in waist-high surf and it felt fantastic, i'll send some action photos of my future sessions when possible
 
thank you very much
 
gil
 
--------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------------------------------
 
just got the refund- you are better than Nordstoms !!

Warm Regards,

Gene
 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
Thank you Paul.
 
What great service. I've been meaning to get my own surfmat for years then my friend mentioned your product. I'm planning a gold coast oz/ possible New Z trip in 6 months. Want to get it into some broken head and Byron swell. I also have a few single fins. I need to decide which to travel with... 
 
Matt
 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,

We've had a run of small swell many classic days for the mat unfortunately unable to get out on the L7. Indo is only 8 weeks away and counting !

Check out Wardie Wards youtube channel some good mat riding clips unsure if you have seen them or not.

Got to rush out for a mat surf I'll send a better report later...

Many cheers
Bretto
 
---------------------------------------------------------
 
Hello Paul,
 
As for the Vespa, got i out in some 3-4 foot faces on Sunday morning and man, what a kick in the wetsuit.
Got pitched out the front door on my first take off, and after that it just got better and better. Plenty of speed, glide and control. Thank you so much for crafting such awesome equipment.
 
I am definitely trying to get funds to order an OMNI before the sale ends.
 
I would like to get a more square tailed mat to see if it tracks the wave like the cheapo mat i took out before getting the Vespa Roundtail. Basically, used the cheapo to practice duck diving and just to kick with at the rivers, the one time i took it out in surf, i was mostly setting my daughters up for rides on their boards while i jumped on some small little runners that gave me the idea of the speed mats attain. i did notice that the parallel rails did track the wave diferent, and would love to try a 4GF square tail.
 
Best Regards,
Peter G
 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
hey, pablo.

loving my mat(s)... doing all i can to spread the word.
Greets from Panama!
Jason
 
--------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,
 
Just wanted to thank you ahead of time for the surf mats. I have been interested in getting back into surfing for some time now but have been turned off by the crowds. Mat surfing seems like a great solution to expanding my horizons.
 
I'm a lucky guy to have a wife who is open to new experiences and order a mat for herself. We used my wife's PayPal account for the orders. The Classic is for her and the Vespa RT is for myself.
 
Thanks again!
 
Rick M
 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
Sweet! Thank you! I can't believe how fast you work!
 
I can't wait for some surf to get into 4th gear!
 
Erik
 
--------------------------------------------------------


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

 

Awesome! Thanks Paul


Can’t wait, haven’t seen a mat in Long island yet

Brenden

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

Hi Paul,

Just put my order in for the OMNI.

Can't express how stoked i am on these awesome surf craft you produce.

I've been out twice more on the Vespa this week at two different spots up here, both were maxing out at about head high and had so much fun. I'll spare you the details, but it is so fun to be working on a new wave riding technique that utilizes my experience reading waves and judging take off zones, and then creating a whole new method of riding waves. I'm so stoked on mats, i wish i would have found them ten years ago, but 'all good things in all good time', and the time is now for me and this awesome new ocean pursuit.

Thanks so much being a portal to such a unique way of interacting with the ocean. You are truly a purveyor of stoke and the power of the ocean.

Thanks again, i'm sure i'll be back for another mat before long, maybe a mini for my girls, i'm going to try and tandem them on the Vespa eventually.

Sincerely,

Peter G

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

Very cool

These sure have matured since the ones we rode in the 80s.

Can't wait

Sent from my phone . . . barely . . .

rick

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

Thanks Paul,  

I’m looking forward to receiving the Fatty!  Thanks for the guide, and I’ll let you know how everything goes.

Thanks again,
 

Geoff

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


Hi Paul,

Really appreciate the design info on your web site.  I"m getting close to buying a new mat?

Thanks for maintaining my favorite website. 

Rich
 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
Excellent Paul!  Thanks so much for the quick response.


Now if a swell would arrive as quick I'd be ecstatic.


D
 
-------------------------------------------------

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

Just got back from Pismo with 2-3 ft. and certainly more push than last 5-6 weeks.  Perfect for me as I had no problem pushing through and caught many more waves that if boarding.  Found waves I would ignore with a board were a gas with my mat.

Lots to work on but after watching  Greenough videos I think I'm not far off with what was pretty much instinct.  Need to watch my position at take off to make sure I'm far enough forward as I tend to slip back in between sets.  I can tell how subtle changes in position and weight can make a big difference. I'm forgetting entirely about leg position but oh well, need to be patient.
 
Love being more in the water and the sensation of speed seems greater.
 
Thanks for the help and encouragement.
 
Dennis
 
------------------------------------------------
 
Hey Paul,
 
Hope you are doing well, just read about he dropped rail design which sounds most interesting, also sounds like you've been surfing which is always great.
 
The mats came at the end of last week, i have been super busy, and have only got out once in the last week,
It was kinda small so i took out the Vespa and once again had a blast. Caught a bunch of waves and am constantly amazed at the connectivity i feel to the wave sliding on my mat, such a great source of energy and stoke. which by the way, i am now totally hooked and find myself thinking about matting with all my free time, thank you so much for sharing these incredible wavecraft with the world.
 
.I really never thought i'd find something to be so stoked about, again.
 
The girls are anxious to get their mat wet, which will probably have to wait til next weekend as i am busy with work this weekend.
 
Just wanted to say thanks again. I better run, just wanted to say thanks again and let you know how much your work and dedication to this wonderful art of mat riding has given me already.
 
Best Regards,
Peter G
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 
hi paul,
 
just got back from 3 days in Tofino(beach break) I was on the standard you sent me last year the swell was still good for a few days and I'm happy to say the skinny girl went awesome
but needed more effort all-round soo… my question… omni or another tracker?
I surf mostly reef and river mouth (south vancouver island)
I'm 6'2' 205lb.
 
 THANKS A MILLION!!
 
Willy M
 
--------------------------------------------------

 
Thanks Paul! Nice turnaround! There's a turnout at the Manhattan Beach pier this weekend for mat and paipo nuttz so if I get my mat by thursday I know what I'll be doing! Thanks!

John
 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,

After waiting for weeks finally a good swell hits Holland. Last week we had very good waves and tons of good rides. Roundtail tracker and the XL model gives me a blast!

It's getting colder already, winter is knocking on the door within a month or so...

Greets,

Marc
 
----------------------------------------------------

 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,

Steve and I hope that you, Gloria and your whole family are doing well.

We've had some great fun riding our 4GF mats lately, with the NW wind swells.

Steve had a great session last week on the bigger day, riding his 5GF. It's become his go-to mat of late. He was taking off deeper than anyone and racing fast down the line, sometimes doing controlled slides to slow down and stay in the pocket.

I enjoyed riding my Omni in the thick wind swells, too. I was so stoked to make late take-offs and get in the pocket, and then make sections all the way to the beach when the waves lined up. Paul, thanks so much, late take-offs are so much better for me on the Omni.

Thank you Paul for creating such awesomely fun wave riding crafts!

Love and Aloha,
Cher and Steve
 
----------------------------------------------------
 
Aloha Paul,
 
 looking to increase my 1 mat quiver. Looks like im matting for a while had some stem cell therapy done to hip so no stand up surfing for maybe a year, so i am now full fledgling matman!!!
 
Ruben
 
---------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,
 
Just received the Vespa. Love it! And it's so light. Can't wait to try it on the canary islands in 2 weeks.
 
All the best from Berlin,
Niklas
 
--------------------------------------------------------
 
Wow Thanks !
 
I will be traveling to Maine soon and to Puerto Rico to teach surfing in Luquillo. I think a mat is the best for versatility / traveling. 
Send a couple stickers if you have any.
 
Thank you, 
David M
 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
Paul,
 I had the opportunity yesterday to surf with Gary at Rincon in perfect 1-2 foot overhead waves wrapping from the indicator to the top of the cove. I rode the Fatty and did great, but kept thinking I should have been on the standard except there were the occasional flat section that I know I would not have gotten over with the standard. Gary rode his new Omni.  He had nearly the same flat section glide as the fatty but seemed to stick to the face much better in the most critical sections. We rode many waves together to compare and I think the omni was the ideal mat for yesterday's conditions. The fatty was amazing, but I could tell I had more fabric than necessary to get the job done. I rode one rogue wave with a 10' face all the way down the point without drama, but less fabric would have made it more exciting ( I love the standard ).
I am now interested in the XL, Omni and Lotus 7. I am in the process of getting a few friends and family to combine an order. It looks like Gary wants a Fatty, my dad wants a standard/omni, and few friends are getting back to me with what they want to do. How much lead time would you need to put together an order of 6-8 mats? I may drive up to get them when visiting a friend up your way, or may have you ship them.
 
Aaron
 
P.S. I met a man at Rincon named Guerden who says he is a friend of yours. He was happy to see that others are riding mats with confidence.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------
 
Great to see the innovation never stops.
 
Take it easy
Steve
 
--------------------------------------------------------------
 
Thanks Paul! Maybe we'll get a chance to try it out in Santa Cruz this weekend!
 
Elizabeth
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,

I just wanted you to know how great the standard has been working for 
me.  Yesterday was the best of the year at my local, R coast beach. 
It was amazing how well the standard held a line, even with both fins 
out of the water.  Plenty of speed for the sections that the surfers 
were having a hard time making.

Rich
 
------------------------------------------------------------

 
 ----------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,

Surfed Dirkos yesterday -- the miniature reefs in front of the playground. Gorgeous sunny low tide, consistent peaks here and there, only 3 foot max but dead glass and delicately formed. I was all alone, and really got to mess around with my positioning, my technique lifting the front corner, keeping my head low, gliding thru the flats into the reforms. It was most excellent. I'm still not as light and strong as I wish, but I feel ready to give Rincon a try.
 
Dirk
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,

Thank you!  Either myself or my wife Lisa will be ordering an Omni very soon. It's technically my Christmas present but she knows I've wanted one for a while now so we'll both be stoked.  Me for getting a new mat and her for early Christmas shopping completed. 
 
Thanks again,
Erik
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Paul,
 

Wanted to let you know my mat arrived in the mail yesterday.  I'm really impressed and I can't wait to use it...

 

Thanks for the fast service.

 

Marty
 
----------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul


Some more feedback on the standard, not that it is needed for such a well proven mat. 

Maybe this is because I am light and skinny (and a novice), but it is now my go-to mat for all but the smallest of waves. It feels like an easier Mat to tune in than the larger mats, even in small waves. One of your earlier blogs seemed to confirm this, regarding less squeeze being needed to reach the limits of inflation and deflation in a smaller mat.

In the past have been riding the standard at about 180 degree fold in small waves, and it has been going real fast on fat sections, but (for a novice) a bit like driving a car on ice, once the wave develops a steep wall. This morning in 2-3 foot below average waves I gave it a go at 90 degree fold instead, after reading some old comments by Max and you. I found this setting worked better because it allowed me to sit much deeper in the pocket than usual. Being closer to the power, it still had the effortless glide feel of 180 fold out on the shoulder. But it didn't need as much squeezing to change from slide to control. It was such a buzz doing a controlled slide under a pitching lip.

 

All the best

 

Steve
 
----------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,

Wow so quick!  Thank you very much!  I can't wait to ride it.  
 
I've read the riders guide as well.  I'm up for the challenge and like the fact it will take time to learn.  I think it will make me a better surfer altogether and sure looks like fun.  Gotta say I've seen more pics of people smiling while riding mats than other surf craft.  I haven't spoken to him in a while but I've heard nothing but good things from Steve Pendarvaris as well.  He puts deck pads on my kneeboards from time to time and has always raved about mat surfing when I ask him about surfing. Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes.
 
Erik

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

 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
 
Oh yea thanks very much!! It's going up to my moms in humboldt county, goin to visit for a week . May try it out there , a couple spots that are fun to hand plane around there!

Yea I figure having the option of two different models to play with and feel the difference would be sweet. Thx very much , I read the riders guide and have been doing as much reading and watching of YouTube vids I can to learn more. Awesome stuff . Thanks so much!

Dan
 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,

Thanks very much, Im very excited about this mat as the last standard you sent me is probably my most used and favourite mat, and it goes so good .... if this new one is better.. wow.

Unfortunately I didnt make it to Prono Paradiso due to other commitments so we had a mini mat meet out the front with 6 matters of which 4 were girls !!!

We have had a really good month for matting, only a couple of exceptional days, but many days of great mat waves which would be sub grade for the boards. I never get tired of hearing board riders whine about no waves whilst we are surfed out from the mat. In fact this past week I actually had three days off in a row which is the longest stint without a matsurf Ive had since riding your mats for almost two years.

Many thanks
Bretto
 
-----------------------------------------------------
 
Thanks Paul,
 
I'm a 65 year old lifetime surfer. I have a quiver of at least a dozen boards and have surfed virtually everywhere in the world.
My last few go outs have compelled me to acknowledge that my skills are gradually eroding and my surfing is becoming somewhat less satisfying as a result but I still hope for at least another decade in the water.
 
I saw a guy ripping on one of your mats last year at Razors, and a conversation ensued that let me know you were the builder. I'm anxious to experience mat surfing once again since that was my original introduction to wave tools in the early 1960's in Huntington Beach.
Anxious now to play with your mat in some of this winters peeler's. I'll send some photos ( I have a host of friends and inevitably I'll end up with some once we start the winter surf train,) as the season progresses.
Thanks,
Larry
 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
Aloha Paul,
 
I got one of your Tracker RT mats about 3 years ago and been having a great time surfing it here in Hawaii. We had some unreal surf in the beginning of the summer and the Tracker absolutely shined! However the pumping swells eventually stopped, leaving us with a month-long lull of flat to shin-high surf. 
 
Although I was still able to get in to the micro surf with the Tracker, I found myself doing more kicking than gliding through the weak sections of the waves. 
I wanted to ask if you are accepting orders for the Greenough spec UDT? And if you think this design might be a better option for the tiniest surf we get here on the South Shore of Oahu?
 
I am 6'2" 195lbs and 37 years old. I have been surfing about 22 years and mat-riding for about 13 of those years. 
 
If you think the Greenough UDT would fit the bill for long, please let me know the best way I can place an order. 
 
Thank you for your time and the great mats!

Mahalo,
Anthony
 
------------------------------------------------------------

 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
 
Hi Paul,

Mats arrived just now. Spoke to Boyd on the phone and he wants me to give his mat to George as he is going away this weekend. So I will see George tomorrow and deliver the mats along with his letter.

Surfs not that crash hot, a bit windy and head height so Im straight out there for a test run. The forecast is excellent for early next week so will definitely be getting a good try before indo in 3 weeks.

Thanks again and regards
Bretto
 
-------------------------------------------------------------
 
Paul,

The omni felt great. It is noticeably larger than the standard I was riding but smaller feeling than my trusty fatty. It held on the wave face with minimal effort and generated good speed.

Aaron
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi Paul,
 
I received the mat on Monday and surfed over the weekend.  It was really fun!
Caught a lot of waves even though the surf was only like waist high, and look 
forward to taking it out on a bigger day.  So far the biggest adjustment I think
I'll need to make is positioning on the mat.  It was kind of tricky for me to 
move forward on the mat transitioning from paddling to riding the waves.  
Maybe this was because I inflated the mat a little more than I will need to as
I get better, but I needed to be back on the mat a little while paddling or my fins
would be too high in/out of the water. Then when catching the waves I need to 
practice on getting further forward on the mat faster when transitioning from 
paddling to dropping in the waves. 
Thanks!
Erik
 
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Me be engineer and running and engineering company I was quite fascinated with your mat construction. Very cool , well thought out !
jim
 
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I am pretty mat-evangelical. I love matting so much. One of the boogie teenagers from the Lane has borrowed a mat and is loving it. I really liked Ace's letter. I understand Steve Pendarvis has also become pretty mat-centric. We love Cher and Steve. Such sweet folks.

I did longboard the other day for the first time in a while at 38th Ave. It was pretty fun.
Hoping to surf indicators after work today. Low tide and a little NW- could be fun. I wish you could come up and mat with us, that would be a gas.
Alright, all the best.
Steiny
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the lane was fun, surf middle peak and the reform. not quite enough swell for indicators to be consistant. In the water two people asked where I got my mat- I must have looked like I was having fun. I was.
 
came home to mixed drinks and a lovely pasta dish.

listening to Sister Rosetta Tharpe and getting ready to do the dishes.
best to you, thanks for all. my mats are wonderful

uncle stein
 
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I can't wait to try it out.

Thanks,
Gail
 
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Ive been exclusively riding the new standard DRP every day, from a wave face height from 2 - 8 feet. While on the smaller fatter stuff the glide is slightly diminished the solid feel of a super low inflation compensates. Generally though Ive been riding about a number7 to 180 fold inflation thereabouts and find it just locks onto that rail even at a lower inflation level.
 
A couple of days when the surf was clean and good the mat was going off, generating unbelievable speed by holding higher quicker and longer ( does that make sense ??) without any sliding to the bottom of the wave . So good for pulling in, even in closeouts seem to be able to travel for longer. I think it may have the widest rangre of wave size so far. The one thing that really amazes me, and for the life of me I cant comprehend why, is how easy it catches waves !!!! So yes I love it !!!!
 
Oh and it also tracks on the diagonal like its going straight !!!!!!
 
Bretto
 
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Tremor, Clay and I had a good session at Dume yesterday. The highlight was when, after Tremor and I laughed about how I always ran him over at least once in past sessions, I floored it and barreled into him on purpose! He and I were screaming with laughter. We both got knocked off course. It was great!
 
Mary
 
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Thanks again for everything. I'm so excited to get back in the water ( warm water) what I'm writing for is to let you know my friends Greg and Polly Barber turned me on to your surf mats. They were so happy with their experience I will now try it.

So thanks and have a great winter. Wish me luck
 
Carol
 
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Hi Paul

Thanks heaps. Wow super quick. I will  let you know about our progress.

TW
 
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Hi Paul,

Today i had a session on the UDT mat, on microwaves conditions (but clean ones and offshore).
The mat works so good on small surf!

The Dutch sea is getting empty, cause of the cold. I love this time of the year. No crowds and screaming surfers. Just the wave, the mat and myself. Life can be so easy!
Counting the days for our CA trip!

Greets,

Marc (and Esther)
 
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You get A+ for service.
 
rich
 
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Hey Paul,
 
thanks so much for my Omni surf mat.  I've been out a couple times and it's been a blast.  One question though for you - both times I've scuffed my chin pretty good from riding the mat - not sure if you've heard this from other riders or have any suggestions.  
 
thanks!
Brice
 
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Hi Paul,

1M swell today so took the L7 out. 2-3 feet face height breaking in 6 inches of water over razor sharp coral, unsurfable on a board but I got piped off my head in perfect crystal cylinders time after time until I was worn out. Got chased by a big sea snake paddling the lagoon...... got to love the tropics. Swell increase tomorrow.

Bretto
 
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Hi Paul;
 
Thank you very much!
 
I am pretty excited with the idea of riding a mat. I´ve never seen anybody riding a mat. Actually I´ll bet that nobody in Spain practice this kind of surfing.
 
Keep in touch! I´ll tell you my first experience with the 4GF.
 
Kind regards.
Jaime
 
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The mat has arrived
 
damn that was fast Paul
 
DH
 
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You rock, Paul! 
 
Ole has really been looking forward to getting one of your mats. I am going to give it to him as an early Xmas present. I might be ordering one for myself in the near future :) I will try his out and will let you know. 
 
I just ordered him a pair of DaFins as well to help him kick into waves. Excited to get in the water with your product!
 
Thanks!

-Sarah
 
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Paul,

6 hours today on the Lotus at Rincon. Waves were a 5 out of 10 for quality.  Size was chest to head high, but for testing purposes I rode many waves in the waist to stomach high range. I had no problem catching waves, in fact I think the lotus is superb at catching waves. The acceleration on takeoff feels better than my standard and fatty. It likes to go fast. Got the deepest tube I have had on a mat today, on a screaming stomach high wave! I made 4 rifling sections and then back doored into a tube deep where the lip was hitting in front of me and came out dry.  The DRP rail really held in nice. If I had to compare the old bottom to the new bottom, I would say the old bottom is better for all out trimming on the flattest parts of the wave where the mat is sitting flat on the water, but the new bottom is better when on rail. I like them both, so now I am contemplating getting a DRP Fatty and DRP standard so I have the best of both worlds!
 
Forgot to mention that I "demoed" the Lotus to a bodyboarder.  I rode the "wave of the day" on his uber-high-end bodyboard and was shocked at how inefficient and harsh riding it was. The mats just soak up so much bump and chop that you have to ride a booger to really appreciate the difference. The booger was also much slower than the mat, this coming from a very experienced bodyboarder (in a another life and a long time ago). Not that you didn't know all this already :)

Thanks again for rushing the Lotus, just in time for the first real waves in a while!

Aaron
 
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Hi Paul

Our mats arrived today in tip top condition. We are super super stoked with them. Only problem is we are having storm surf for the next couple of days. Oh well. It can’t last for ever.

Thanks Heaps

TW

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Thanks Paul!  Will let you know how it goes for sure.  My son Luke may not be able to get out for a while but we'll definitely try and take pictures when he does.

David
 
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Hey Paul,
 
got the three Fattys today.  Thanks!  Can't wait to hit the surf with these!
 
Gonna be a blast!
 
PS
 
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Hi Paul,
 
Tried the Omni DRP, Yesterday at 4 foot sucky beach breaks it went excellent, I did not over inflate it and like all Omni’s  they go great.
 
I’ll get Adam to send some photo’s when they are available.
 
Regards Eric
 
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Hi Paul
 
John and I had our first surf on the Mats today at our local point break. The waves were biggish, about head high and a bit and the crowd was fairly intense and a bit cranky. Didn't worry us. The mats went so well. I know we have much to learn, but it was an unbelievable amount of fun. Can't wait for the next session.
 
Thanks again for making these fine vessels for us.
 
Terry
 
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Thanks Paul Monday post will be great, my husband's name is Paul But his nic name is GRUB so if you could put GRUB on the mat that would be great, thank you very muchly

Regards Jenny
 
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Hi Paul,

The surf mat arrived and my boyfriend cannot wait to get it into the water.  Unfortunately, the surf was blown out today so any plans to hit the beach were aborted (the surf cam is checked daily).  I'm sure the surf will pick up in the next few days and there will be one very happy guy in the water.
 
Thanks again and have a great holiday.
 
Kary Emoji
 
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Hello Paul
 
got a few good days on the mat the past few weeks one day was large about 8 foot or so and long rights with a few sections the mat slipped fast across the flats with no loss of speed and pulled me back into the wall locked and rocketed me mid wall glide tell the next section. 
 
I was riding it at a complete fold over but not floppy I would grab the outer front corner and rise and fall I loved how it held the wall and take off when released. I also rode it at a L bend and a 45 I could really feel the grab in the wall and off the bottom in these inflations so I swam over to the sidewalk a steeper more hollow wave I rode it at a 45 and it held solid keeping me right in the pocket through a few tubes.
 
The few other days surf was smaller rode it full bend and it took off on these little 4 foot peelers thinking for me the full bend and soft L are the inflation I liked on it also tried different flips but I wont get into that my udts worked well and the ducks for smaller days need more swell and a bit for time on it for sure I'll.
 
Keep you posted
thanks PG
 
Daniel 
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Hi Paul,

That mat just arrived. Thanks, i look forward to trying it over the Christmas weekend

- Neil

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Please send some waves along with my new Lotus!
 
Surf Sister
 
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Hi Paul,

The Omni arrived last week. Thanks for the speedy service! I have taken it out twice already and the speed has blown my mind!

In the past, I have surfed pretty much every surf vehicle known to man! But I have never experienced speed like I did on this surf mat! On a couple of overhead waves I caught, the mat just reached the bottom of the wave and hit some sort of 'turbo-button' or something and just took off and flew! I grabbed to big fist fulls of mat at the front the first time it happened because I felt like I was going to take off! I cant wait to learn how to utilize this speed like I've seen guys do on 'youtube'! It's going to be so much fun!

It's not just the speed that was a surprise either. I caught one wave that held me in the lip a little too long and then bottomed out over a shallow inside bank. I was in the lip thinking I was going to get hammered when the wave hit the shallow bank, but when I started free falling the mat then seemed to suck onto the wave face and change it's shape to fit perfectly to the contour of the wave and then hurl me down the face like a roller-coaster ride at amazing speed and then out and around the section! What other surfing vehicle can do that? No other surfing vehicle is flexible enough to change itself to the shape of the wave and then utilize the energy of the wave like that.....amazing!

Anyway, I can't thank you enough for the mat Paul. Not only has it given me this incredible surfing experience but it has also opened up a whole new world of surfing opportunities in a area that has already reached surfer saturation point (Gold Coast). On-shore, cross-shore, off-shore....all fine! I'm planning to hit the "Super-Bank" next time it's on-shore with no one out!

Thank you Paul,

Chris.

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