From Adam ...

Hey Paul,

Had a fun surf with Neal yesterday, with him riding his Vespa RT and myself giving my trusty Omni a run as well.

The waves were only small, but at least we had it to ourselves.

After a post surf coffee at the local cafe, we called into the factory where Neal does board repairs and spotted this beautiful Steve Lis fish. To the untrained eye, most people would just walk past it. But as soon as I spotted the logo I was instantly frothing...saw $80 written on the bottom and was about to whip out my wallet, then realized it was for the ding repair and not for sale!!! 😉


Adam

 

From Rob ...

 

 

Paul,

We made it home from Universal Studios, and I was able to make it to a Dawn Patrol session with some friends! What a great day full of smiles and Joy!

Chris grabbed a couple great shots from the session! Gotta run trying to catch DP this morning before work! 

Thanks for all you do 🤙🏼! Keep Spreading the Stoke!

P.S. My buddy Ryman is starting to get the mat itch! He rode the Fatty in shore break and had a blast! I tried to get him to buy one when the sale was on, but he missed the boat! It's only a matter of time ;)!

Super Stoked,
Rob

From Bud ...

I started on a mat, and I've come back to the mat.

With my sister Susan, 1959. Ocean City, MD.

Bud

Another Sunday Fun Day From Rob ...

 

Paul,

 

I just had an amazing time with my Family at the Poles. There was just a little bit of swell left and my Son Tristan wanted to try and tandem surf the Vespa! We gave it a go and had such a great time! 

 

My Wife Mariah took the pictures. 

 

I can't tell you with words what these memories mean to me! Thank you for creating these vehicles of Joy!

Super Stoked,
Rob Pollard

From Mike ...

 

 

 

 

Paul, 

Omni goes great. Been having a blast!

I think mats are one of the most challenging craft to ride a wave on. So much fun, once you start to get the hang of it. 

Thanks again for the great mat. 

Mike

From Rob ...

Paul,

We have been blessed with swell...and the new Vespa Flies! I rode mostly shorebreak today as the waves where pretty soft until they got inside.  I was able to get into them early and set my line to get closeout barreled nearly every time :)! I had so much Fun! I'm so grateful for the time I spent out there today!

There was a tequila sunrise that was so beautiful it took my breathe away, and I saw a pod of dolphins taking party waves :)!

I also noticed something that I've never noticed until mat surfing. Shells are tiny perfect waves breaking! It blew my mind :)! Thanks for everything Paul! Your mats give me so much Joy! I can't stop smiling! Keep spreading the Stoke!

Super Stoked,

Rob

From Maloney ...

Greetings,

I have not been lost, just trying to retire. A miserable failure so far at it.

Hope all is well with you and family and you had a good/great 2016. Just starting to go out in water after being sick for a few months, down in NZ for a few weeks.

My friend who takes me surfing sent me this photo, just thought it was kind of funny, head buried in wave. (At my age, everything is funny.)

 I’m looking forward to more water time as things warm up.

All the best, Michael

PS My wife said if I bungee jumped down in NZ not to come home. I don't think you can go down to NZ without jumping off of something!

 

 

Tips From The Prones ...

 (Max, mid-60's)

Lately I’ve been getting into crossing my outside leg over my inside knee when turning and trimming. This body configuration seems to allow the mat to lay flatter on the wave while changing directions and holding lines so as to carry more speed. 

I’m guessing that weight shift has a lot to do with it. Plus, the outside fin becomes an inside fin that is on edge, so as to cut into the water for steering and traction. This technique took quite a while to comfortably incorporate into my repertoire. However it’s second nature now, and gives great results, plus enormous satisfaction from having a new dance move. 

The flipper crossover is good for bottom turns, hanging on steep faces, and especially pulling hard cutbacks with big slams off the foam. Give it a go mates, and see how you fare...

Sorry no pics yet.

Cheers Mates,

Mat Max

 (Max, late-oughts)

Another Sunday With Rob ...

Tips From The Pros: Zig-Zagging Over Flat Spots ....

On smaller, weaker waves, Greenough will often unweight, and guide his mat back and forth across a crumbling wave face as it rolls to shore. This is in lieu of the more instinctual approach of simply laying on the mat and going straight off.

Right after his takeoff on this wave, George maneuvers around a puzzled longboarder, then gently moves back and forth. His speed over the water is faster than if he traveled in a straight line towards the beach, so his mat stays up and planing...




On this wave, at the 1:10  mark, George employs the same technique. It's a subtle move, but effective...

Sam Cody ...

Anyone in and around the San Diego board building milieu knows all too well that Sam Cody is a major talent. His work as a surfing-related artist is rarely matched. And he's been doing it for over 50 years!

I had the privilege of working at the old G&S factory on Gaines Street in SD when Sam was there, and marveled at his talent on a daily basis...

 

 

So where did it all start you ask? Let's let Sam explain...

"I started bodysurfing in 1956, and by 1958, I was mat surfing around La Jolla Cove (see photo). I’m the one on the left with the glasses. You also might notice the early stages of “Surfmat Graphics” on my mat which might be showing you a direction I was heading."

George Greenough, 1969

Some frame grabs from The Innermost Limits Of Pure Fun.

The top shot is from Lennox. The side slip sequence is probably Evans Head.

The mat is a "Stripes Down" Converse-Hodgman mat...which was a long, thick, narrow design that was never intended for surfing.  They were a handful to ride due to the high air volume, but George got them to go!