Spring Break Sale Update, And More Testamonials...

We've received a bunch of orders in the first two weeks of the 4GF Spring Break Sale.

About a half dozen 5GFs have gone out...but no Wedges yet! The Wedge apparently hasn't captured the imagination of the mat riding public, at least via words and pictures. If every mat rider tried one, a lot of you would nibble, 'cause it's a blast in junk surf. But it's not important to act on it now. We'll have the design available for the cognicenti even if it doesn't make it into our model list.

(No UKMS jokes, please...)

What is important, at least to us, is that a lot of "fence-sitters" have taken the plunge and bought their first mat based on the sale price. Getting people to try a mat is the hardest hurdle we face! 

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Feedback/testimonial writers generally fall into one of four categories. The "Hey Paul" group, the "Hi Paul" group, the bare bones "Paul" group, and the "Thanks Paul" group. Then there's the no-salutation crowd. I have no preference, although the no-salutation types leave a lot to the imagination, and that isn't good in my case! (Fortunately, so far, no one has opened up an email with something like, "Hey Asshole," or anything of that nature.)

A fair number of writers end their communique's with the sign-off, "Cheers." I can't remember when that started to get popular, but now it's widespread even among 'Muricuns. And of course, "Thanks," "Aloha," and "Best Wishes" are classic stand bys.

I especially like "Aloha" from surfers who live outside of Hawaii. It's probably the best word ever invented in any language, based on the sound, the appearance in print, and its multi-faceted, uber-positive meaning. Imagine if aloha was the only word in the human lexicon? It'd be hard for anyone to start any trouble, wouldn't it?

Of course, we see a wide arrary of grammatic styles. I swear, some people have written without any spaces between the words! One old friend writes everyone he knows in all caps, all the time. What's odd is he's one of the mellowest, least demonstrative person I know. So I guess we shouldn't read too deeply into the elements of email style.  

With all that in mind, let's get into the latest 4GF mailbag...

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 I'd order one now, but I value my balls.

Cheers

Matt

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Udt squaretail floated much easier than the roundtail, stayed on it easier and rode very well considering my rookie status, had 3-5 foot faces, 6-8 knt slight off shore, had a wonderful wave where everything was working, 4 or 5 guys were looking right down the line at me, and one yelled so I could still hear as i passed by, "what the fuck was that old guy riding?" its just perfect, now if i can just do something about the rider ( i'am making very good progress though) thanks for your continued design thoughts and comments thanks, Michael

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Paul

No such animal as a junk wave

When u ride a mat

One foot today + 2 flying in what was on offer

Warren

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Hi Paul,

Thank you. I wasn't expecting this at all. Nice touch of customer service!

Dave

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Thank you, Paul. As my dad would have said, "you're a solid citizen!"

Robert

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cant wait to throw myself in the cold grey atlantic !!! man up time!.ps.why is the mat called a Vespa? only wondered as used to be a bit of a mod!

Thanks once again and best wishes phil.

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Paul, put me down for an order for a 5GF. If you are backed up, you can fill my order later. My wife is about ready to give birth, so my free time is nonexistent.

Thanks

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Hi Paul,

I wanted to let you know that I love my surf mat! I've been using it off and on for the past 5 months, on a long-term surf trip, and it never fails to put a huge grin on my face.

Thanks!

Delphine

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I LOVE THE TWIRLING EARTH!!!!!

thanks -- you made my day

Marta

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Hey Paul, Loving your R&D posts on Surfmatters. Keep up the good work, Jeff

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Paul
Fatty fantastic
Warren

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hey Paul.
rode the mat for several hours today. i got SO many barrels. i can't even tell you.
super fun. passed it around to my buddies in the water too. that thing is just pure stoke.
seriously. but you already know that.

MA

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 had a great session today, dumped the air down as low as I can go.perfect hiline drifts,thinking about the new matt the hole time I was out.I will make shure to get you some feedback and hopefully some pics,gregs mad because I always have a camera around but were haven so much fun no one will swim out to take some pictures.any way thanks,chris.

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Hey Paul,

Saw the glass mat on surf matters but was in palo alto for a few weeks and my email wasn't working but got some good surf and matting south of Santa cruse in aptos . I think a few of my friends

are going to get some mats been having fun

Aloha mike

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Hi Paul

I have been really enjoying the Fatty you made for me this past
September. I've ridden it everywhere from Ocean Beach (SF) to La
Jolla Shores and I dont think I've had so much fun in the water since
I was a teenager.

Also, is it ok to sit on a mat while in the line up
as you would a surfboard? I find my back starts to get sore after a
few hours prone, but it seems like sitting on the mat puts quite a lot
of pressure on the nose and tail as it bends under my weight. Thanks
for your time-

Cameron

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Mike W from Maui says I have to start matting, so here I go! Thank you for keeping the dream alive! -Dan

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Pure D pleasure doin bizness with ya, Paul. Nice also to see a successful entrepreneur being rewarded for doing something he has a passion for. Hope the inventory keeps up because I suspect I will be back! Best wishes from latitude 57. BoB G

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Hey Paul,

yeah mate so excited to see how the vespa compares to the 5GF. It's all I've been riding , and can't seem to get off it. Been working it out in the smaller stuff too, it definitely goes in anything. Had a really good session on it Saturday afternoon at The Pass. Head high walls and it truly got going on those things!!it seems to still go when it's small!

I've just noticed at the pass when it gets super small on the inside it still seems to want to trim and keep going on the almost non existent swell. But that's what the Vespa will be for. When it's gutless walls at the pass and I can keep going on those waves with ease. Can't wait!!

Will let you know when the Vespa turns up.

thanks again,

Evan

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Dear Paul

The mat arrived on Thursday. Great joy from me, tears from my son as I had to stop him stabbing it with his toy sword. Can't wait to get in the water. Many thanks.

Regards

Philip and Belinda

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Thanks Paul!!

I'm going down to Punta de Mita for Spring break so I hope to ride it a lot. I'll let you know how it goes.

Nate

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HI PAUL,just picked up my mat it looks great.big storm came through last night 4" of snow on the beach and onshore winds.no surf till late wed,thur.thanks again that’s the best birthday present ever.chris

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Hi Paul

I have about hundred go-outs now on the UDT and maybe 5-10 on the vespa. I've been thinking about something narrower than the UDT for all around smaller weaker surf ........I'm not sure?

 A worn out elbow forced me to try the mats about three years ago, what a life changing experience, and your mats made it happen, and I thank you for your creativity, service, and helpfulness.
My partner for the last 37 years, who never really cared for board surfing now has her own mat (UDT) and several friends with mats, so going to the beach now is completely different and I have to say, much more enjoyable.

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT RIDING A MAT
THAT JUST MAKES YOU LAUGH
thanks again

Greg

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When I go to your blog, I am glad that you are doing what you should be. You add to our world in that you have never lost sight of fun. Thanks. Guerdon

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