Surfmatters 2017 Awards

Well, gentle readers, most of us managed to get through a year that, initially, seemed like a relief when 2016 (the previous "worst year ever") mercifully ended.

Let's enjoy the fact that 2017 is finally over, that we're still here, and that salt water immersion is still cathartic!

There were some bright spots amid the chaos of the past 356 days...

To wit:

Best Political Collusion Theory, "Mat Surfing The Baltic-Sea" Category ...

Best Unbroken Mat Track, "Lower Baja" Category ...

Best Saltwater Dome Rinse ...

 

Best Reaction to the Brexit Vote, "Futurist" Category ...

 Best Low-Tech Alternative to a Go-Pro ...

Best Electronic Gizmo, "Relevance to 2017" Category ...

Best Surf Photographer, "Land Based/Wide Angle Lens" Category ...

Best Mat Levitation, "Non-Believing-Australian-Heathen" Category ...

Best Mat Customer, "Don't Worry Dad, He'll Grow Into It" Category ...

Best Mate Who Passed, "Won't Be Forgotten" Category ...

Best Unintentionally Profound Front Page ...

Best Candidate to One Day Become a Mat Surfer ...

Best Leggo Mat Sculpture ...

Best Apres' Mat Surf Meal, "Brain Dead American With Heart Disease And High Cholesterol" Category ...

Best Small Wave Takeoff, "Come Hell Or High Water" Category ...

Best Shit-Eating Grin, "Shark Infested Waters" Category ...

Best Takeoff Schematic Drawing, "Pen and Ink On Paper" Category ...

Best UDT Fin Reworking Session, "Sans Dust Mask" Category ...

Best Testimonial Pull-Quote ...

Howdy Paul, 

I was amazed and stoked to find your package on my doorstep this afternoon! My new 4GF Standard, shipped 12/22/2017 from California to Victoria, Australia in 8 days... staggering!!!

Even more astounding, there were waves this arvo. I surfed my local point break, uncrowded, waist to head high and had a blast. I was a little hesitant to fork over the greenbacks for an imported mat but had heard nothing but good about the 4GF range. So, cut to the chase, my first surf, first impressions -

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"She didn't put a pontoon wrong!"

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The deck material is ideal, not too slippy, not too grippy. On a wave...takes off easier than my ''Brand X/Made In China" mat, holds a line better, runs through flat spots better and handles bounce better, seems more controllable.

Paul, I'm stoked!

Only my first surf but in very fun waves. She didn't put a pontoon wrong!

Can't wait to do it again. Maybe tomorrow? Swell is supposed to be kick some more ;))

Thanks so much mate,

Simon.

Best Use of the 4GF Logo, "Rash Guard" Category ...

Best Geezer in the Water, 10th Year Running ...

Best Micro Wave, "Mile Long" Category ...

Best Rail-Hang,  "LA County" Category ...

Best Home Invasion Burglary Caper, "Western Louisiana" Category ... 

Best Takeoff, "In-Your-Face-You-Old-Mat-Farts" category ...

 
Best Longboard Photo, "Ever, Of All Time" Category ...

Best Photoshop ...

 

 

Best Mat Surfing Pic, "Mystical Experience" Category ...

Thanks for all of your support in 2017!

Paul and Gloria Gross