SURFMATTERS: February 2022

Who here wants another batch of testimonials?

Good then, here we go!

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Thanks Paul

Can’t say how much I appreciate what you do 👍🏻

I’m really excited to see what the Lotus mini is capable of. It’ll be heading to Ireland next month, followed by Portugal, so hopefully will get some solid sea trials 😄

Best regards, Pat

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Thanks Paul for the lotus and thanks for getting it together so quick. I’m looking forward to christening him , all I need now is some swell. Thanks again Frank

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Hi Paul

Hope you are well :)

Whoa!

Master at work :)

That was quick!

Have had some amazing days on the Omni!

Went to Leo Carrillo last weeks and there was an amazing right sandbar that popped up just north of Leo’s main break. Dredging fast barrels , chest to head high absolutely incredible, the Omni did a great job holding in those conditions and really picked up speed when needed! The wave only lasted thru till high tide and then was gone.

I went over to Leo’s main break after, wasn’t crowded at all only 4 other people out, also chest to head high. The Omni really seemedto shine at Leo, which made me wish for another big swell to hit Rincon before summer :) Nice carving and some good get up and go !

Just wanted to thank you for the fun craft for good times :)

I’m thinking about getting a second mat. Yesterday I went down South in search of waves to San Clemente and Laguna areas. Was pretty small, some chest high waves every now and then but pretty small and mushy. The Omni was still super fun especially in the little shorebreak but definitely felt like I maybe needed some more volume under me to get the full push on the mushburgers...

Last but not least, have you made kids mats before? For little guys like 6 & 8 years old

Thanks again!

Best

Aaron

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I have always loved obsessing over the numbers of my surfboards. The local guy here who has made boards for me totally geeks out about dimensions, and I love comparing the feel of how a board surfs to the dimensions, and am constantly amazed that the slightest change can make a huge difference.. That's why I originally asked about the lengths....just to understand what's going on.

That blog post you sent was perfect. Thank you.

This line from the article summed it (and me) up perfectly.

"contradicts the dimension-based wisdom of conventional surf craft design. In effect, mats are in conflict with the natural desire for surfers to understand the equipment they ride on a numerical level. "

I will now go and surf both mats and stop thinking of the numbers.

I know you hear this all the time, but my boards have rarely been in the last year.

Hope all is well.

Thanks for providing so much joy to so many.

Paul

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John Warner here, an ocean brother from Santa Barbara. Jim Brady took me matting for the first time last week and I had a blast. I would love to add one of your fourth gear flyers to my quiver to keep with me always, should mother nature call. Jim told me to shoot you and email with my height - 6’2”, weight - 195 lb. and to let you know that I mostly surf El Cap. Let me know how to proceed and what you need from me. Thank you for your craft and creating so much stoke in the world. I hope we get a chance to surf together sooner than later.

John

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Paul,

Unreal!!! I knew you got em out quick but that’s insane. Thanks so much. Will fill you in when it gets wet.

Brian

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Holy smokes, just opened up the box at family dinner this evening... I can tell just from the material and quality of the design that this is a whole other ball game! I’m so stoked on the mat... can’t wait to get in the water tomorrow! Thank you 💯

Erik

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Hi Paul.

Rode new mat yesterday. Works perfectly!! You really notice the grip on a new mat. Waves were weak on take off mat caught waves super easy with a touch more air than i normally use. Tons of hold. Perfect!!!

Thanks again

Jeff

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Paul....

Just wanted to give you a quick update on my surf mat adventure. I just got back from a trip through gulf shores and Florida. I got to try the surf mat a couple of times. While the waves were not big, about 2 feet, I had sooooo much fun! These mats are awesome! So easy to steer and ride. I absolutely love it! I even got a few face slides with this baby! It was so easy to learn how to ride it and I am looking forward to trying it in larger surf!

Regards,

Lela

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Paul,

Had a chance top ride the omni today in chest-shoulder high Newport today and had a blast. Really fun being able to affect buoyancy and create surfaces to plane/engage with. Thanks so much!

Patrick

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Hi Paul,

I've been riding the Lotus a ton since I got it. It's been a lot of fun so I keep going back to it and haven't worn out the excitement of it yet.

My favorite thing about it on first impression/before I even got in the water is the material you use. I love both the bottom and the thicker top material. I actually skin it a lot and even though that top surface will tear you up quick, I'm still enamored by the build quality. I spent some time in the Army so I think I have an odd affinity for nylon that's tough... even on my belly haha... :)

Broadly speaking, the Lotus is like a fine instrument where I have to get the inflation "just right" to really have it go. For me letting it bend to about 30 degrees seems to be right.This morning was really clean and I could go with less inflation on the Lotus.

Early on with the Lotus I had a range of sessions from not that great to really good... and the quality of the session wasn't related to the power of the wave as I had expected. One of my first best sessions was in tiny beach break but the pocket of the wave was defined enough that I could really "lock in" and turning was so easy. That was a radical "break through" on the new mat to be able to "carve" it as well as I could.

The thing the mat has been going absolutely bonkers on is small (Name Withheld). I've been completely slaying that place in surf that's too fin-ripping shallow to do anything else but mat. It's like a complete unlock on a whole new surfing option. I've actually been pleased the surf has been so small because I keep getting waves to myself at one of San Diego's premier waves. It's such a good way to really learn all the details of a wave too being so up close on the reef.

I'm already considering what my next mat might be which is why I had started writing.

I like the length of the Lotus very much. That's crucial because I like to stay in surf shape by paddling back out to the lineup after rides. It also makes matting a killer work out because kicking and paddling is one of the best ways I know to gas myself.

I'm probably going to be board surfing when the surf is good (except for some slabby mysto spots I'm looking forward to attempting the Lotus at) so I'm probably generally oriented towards small wave surfing with my mat surfing.

Let me know what you think as far as my next mat goes... my apologies for such an essay now!

I can't tell you how much fun I've been having. I feel like I'm cheating. I hope I can still standup surf ok with all this matting I'm doing! I need to get some photos :)

Thanks,

Erik

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Thanks again Paul. My mate mason just ordered one not to long ago and I tried it at 3 foot Solana Beach. I’m hooked. I’m 17 years old but I wish I would’ve started earlier they’re unreal. Thanks again.

Jackson

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Hi Paul,

Some time has passed, so you may not recall my order back in April. You hooked me up with a Custom XL after understanding my size and disability (fused L4, L5, S1 in 2017). The Mat hung in the family room until I took it out last week, then graduated to the garage with my other tools. I think the wife is a bit happier now too!

Anyway, I wanted you to know that I finally got out on my mat and had a really fun first go out! Waves were 2-3’ onshore Southbay sandbar dribblers. Jeez! That thing catches waves SO easy. Catch the wave, trim and turn all the way to shore, kick it back out, and repeat until my dear friends on their long boards started to scowl. Perfect for keeping up with old friends and making a few new ones too. Got quite a few questions in the lot.

Like I said, the waves were really crap. The mat though feels really fast and I left the water knowing that there is more to learn. Cool feeling. Can’t wait for the day with a little more waves.

This is such a stealthy buy. I see so much potential in this thing! Thanks loads for getting it out to me so quickly Paul. Can I drop you another note later if you don’t mind?

Best regards,

Pat

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Wow, that was quick, thanks Paul!

I'm really enjoying the Omni that I got from you a few years ago. My daughter loves going tandem w/ me on it & both my wife & daughter like to snake it whenever I'm not using it. Looking forward to owning a 2nd 4gf.

Ryan

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Good Morning Paul

I rode my buddies mat he purchased from you. Laughed so hard my stomach ached. I'd swear I was 6/7 years old again down at the beach with my Dad.

Thanks for the expedite on the order.

Cant wait to learn the finer art of "Da matt"

Frank

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Aloha Paul,

Howzit from Kauai!

I’m thinking about getting another 4th gear Flyer. The Lotus 7 is hands down, for the waves I like, the best mat I’ve owned. It’s my big wave mat. I’ve caught some insane waves- late- steep- fast drops (in 4'-5' winter Hawaiian surf) into the pit, locked and and just flying all the way through serious Middles. And, it releases pretty well in slides across open walls. I’m inquiring about the next version of that type of mat. I have a small quiver of “a mat’s a mat,” mats that do okay in small to medium surf. Rode one of the mats you made for my buddy Pete “Chilidub” D’Wart. Liked the sticky top, but didn’t get to test it in steep fast exciting waves. Johan went for the Lotus 7 after riding mine and he said he has another mat from you but I haven’t seen it or ridden it yet. Maybe should do that too. Am open to what you think.

All the best,

David

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Awesome!

You’re the fastest custom mat maker the world has yet known.

Mahalo, Plenty!

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Dear Paul,

I recieved my mat yesterday and took it out this morning. The surf and wind conditions weren't working out great but I had a blast and caught alot of waves on my omni. Looking forward to using it again tomorrow and the next! Thank you for getting the mat to me so quickly. I will be coming back to 4th gear flyers for another mat in the future.

Cheers,

Paul

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Thanks for the refund on my overpayment, Paul. It is a pleasure to deal with honest people.

Best Wishes

Barry.

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Thank you, Paul!

My son barely ever let’s me ride my Omni, so this one is for me so he can officially take that one for himself!

We are both stoked to see this email! Thank you!

RLS

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Paul-

Thank you so much for this! My wife and I are a little bit in awe of your customer service.

Thanks again!

-Nate

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I'll take a photographer out with me next time. Rode the mat at waimea bay already and pretty big pupukea as well as vland. Unreal. I put away my single fin logs that i usually ride hahah these mats are so much fun and they are legit surf crafts. I'll send some photos soon.

Alohas

Andre

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Hi Paul,

It came today and was waiting on my back porch with my two guard Labradors on the job. Surf is super big so maybe in a few days I'll go out. I'll have more time to read the guide info again now that it's here.

Thanks so much and I'm telling lots of friends about it.

Debbie

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Thank You Paul! I'll get you some feedback asap and as always your customer service is friggin amazing.

Jeff

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Hi Paul,

Report from Barbados. Mats worked excellent over here. I got some heaving double overhead days at Soup Bowl on the Standard, and some awesome peeling left walls on the OMNI on the other side of the island with Regi (she was on the Standard). We had a blast together on our 4GF! 84 degree water was quite nice. Thanks again for the quick turn around on the OMNI. I noticed that my two mats were made on the same day, December 12th! What a coincidence. Enjoy the pictures.

Bryce

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It arrived this morning! Thanks for once again exceeding our expectations! Jay was pleasantly surprised and will likely make an “off schedule” visit to the beach this weekend to get it wet!

We appreciate you!

Julie

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That’s such good news!

Thank you so much again for the design and craft of the surf mats you’ve created. It’s inspiring and exciting to ride waves in another form.

Hope you stay healthy in this time!

All the best,

Meredith

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Thanks Paul!

Always a pleasure buying from you.

Great product, great price!

looking forward to getting it out in the water

michael

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Thank you so much Paul.

I Can’t wait to get this wet.

My son Aloha approves 🙌🙏🙌

SUPER mega Morning Stoke ..

Massive Thank you from Tomas Clan

Jose

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Aloha from Kauai!

Hope you’re well. I’m having the best time matting the Lotus 7. Thanks again.. The best surf sessions, most fun most waves most exciting, fasted rides, most insane, great laughs, I’ve had this year have been on your mats. Again, thanks again!

David

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One of the reasons we chose your mats, no pink camouflage or other crazy stuff, just quality mats!

Thanks!

Joar

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I must also compliment you on your customer service. Your response is awesome and I'll spread the word on your amazing company.

Douglas

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Paul!

I received my mat! So stoked! Blew it up, that’s a nice little lung waker upper! Can’t wait to take her out. I’m a goofy footer(and only surf occasional weekends), so rincon has always been a tough place for me, well I plan on getting dialed in so I can one day enjoy Rincon with good friends on your craft! Thanks again! Today is a good one! Casey

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Thank you Paul for all your help with recent order.

The package arrived on Monday and my son couldn't be happier.

Thanks again for providing such awesome service.

Nancy

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Paul, I can’t thank you enough for getting my mat out to me. My wife ordered it a couple weeks ago with the intention of having it here for Fathers Day, and you made it happen!! I was so pleasantly surprised when I got home today to see the box sitting for me to open. I’ve been riding my friends fatty model for the last 3 weeks in Newport, and it’s an absolute blast. You make a superior product, and your craftsmanship is something to truly appreciate. Thank you again my friend. I’m sure there will be more orders to come. Be well, and thank you again.

Ryan

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Thanks Paul! Absolutely love your mats! They feel like a true extension of my body, turn on a dime and feel super stable....absolutely in love!Thanks and please continue to spread the magical stoke your mats bring!

~Jans

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Paul,

I received the mat and she’s such a beauty! I am beyond thankful that you got it to me for our trip! We’ll be sure to share the pics on social!!!

Thank you again!

Molly

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Hey Paul,

Got the mat Saturday and was out in 2-3ft surf with light onshores for three hours, and man I had so much fun. Catching the wave and positioning myself was a little awkward at low inflation but once I got going I was able to make multiple sections and turns. Your guide was super helpful and it was really interesting feeling the difference in the mat as I squeezed to get rail or let go to let loose and hit that "3rd gear". I found myself going very low-inflation as the tide came in and it dealt with the fatter waves beautifully. A bunch of teenagers asked me about it and thought it was cool, so I must have been doing something right out there. The personal touch is also really appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Regards,

Andrew

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Hello Paul,

I took the Omni out at clean Torrey Pines this morning and it took me a bit of figuring to get the turns right (I have some limited mat experience but it's scattered over the last 8 years). Anyway, I did end up getting right into the pocket on a few decent waves and suddenly I had my arms behind me and I was flying along. It was tons of fun.

I have to say that all the reading materials you have sent over (and I had been reading your blog as well) were helpful. When I slowed myself down and really thought about it, I could work out how to squeeze the mat into position and set a rail, but only because I had watched and read various things on how to do it. I think it would have taken a long time to work that out on my own.

There was some swell in the water and it was pretty fun, I'm looking forward to taking it out again.

Thanks so much,

Erik

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Thanks for building these great mats. I have 3 and haven’t been back on a surfboard in a few years. It is the same story for my two buddies. The three of us all stared surfing as kids. Definitely a learning curve, but once you put your time in its magical.

Thanks again-

Ron

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Heya Paul, and crew up at 4th Gear Flyer

Just wanted to THANK YOU for the UDT I got years ago from you. It's been an amazing friend.

Still riding it, and body surfing on the other days. Learning is always new with both the adventures!

Finally, my Son has begun his surf life. Bodysurfing, and switching off riding the mat.

As such, we were thinking of the Vespa RoundTail to begin the next phase of building our mat quiver.

My main question is.....do ya got them in stock and ready to deliver?

just checking before ordering.

again, thanks for the funnest damn thing in the ocean....

i tell everyone "it's the fastest i have ever gone in the surf....and have been surfing since '81"

and i mean it!!!

look forward to hearing from you,

Michael

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Aloha thanks for the matt and I am going to use it for water coaching for adaptive athletes and surfers

Chris

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Just got my mat...

This thing is so much more than expected.

Thanks very much!

Chris

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Firstly, there are no words that can truly express my gratitude for what your mat did for my wave riding. I'm sure you've heard this a thousand times, but it truly did change my life. I've surfed next to Skip Frye at the Point since '95. Slept on the beach and on the cliffs at Tourmo like Doc for years at a time. Swung boards up to 14' like bats. But I never experienced more pure joy, pure fun than getting locked in over barely submerged reef. In all the years surfing next to the Skipper at the Point, it took me barely making it through the corner, blasting into the cove at Mach 3 where he was sitting at the base of the stairs to get a true hoot of joy from him. I waited almost three decades to get that. So, yeah, it changed my life and made me a much happier wave rider, and I got a bunch of people jazzed on the idea. That mat finally met it's demise recently and I need two replacement Omni's. Thank you again Mr. Gross for everything.

Jade

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it was delivered today to my sns house where the small bday gathering took place. it was the hit of the night, the name inside -- The Whole Nine Yards -- was hysterical, you were a celebrity, it was an accomplishment on my part that they thought i might know you and could get your autograph. i hope many more sales come your way! thanks for the detailed attention! you made it super special!!!

Debbie

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I LOVE IT!!

I've only been able to take it out in small waves but she goes really good and I can manage it! Winter is when we get bigger waves so I'm looking forward to testing it out.

Mahalo!!

Michelle

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Hey Paul, I wanted to drop you a note and let you know how much I love my mat. You might recall I got it to be able to surf as I recover from a broken hip but I’m wondering if it’s gonna be my main method of surfing period now.

I’m having such a blast on it I can’t believe it.

Don’t be surprised when you see another order from me so I have a spare....

Hope you’re well and thanks for providing so much stoke in such a cool little package.

Best,

Jim

🤙😎

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Hey Paul,

Just wanted to thank you again for such a great craft. I’ve had it out in 1ft mush and 7ft swell and it’s all been a blast.

One of my most favorite memories, and might be for sometime, was getting my 3 year old daughter out on the mat, pretty much fully inflated, and we rode 2-3 ft surf together in what was one magic giggly carpet ride. She still talks about it and draws pictures of us in waves. Truly magical.

Thanks,

Andrew

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Hi Paul,

Thanks for letting me know, I wanted to let you know how much I love riding your mats, since seeing someone floating around on one at Topanga many moons ago, I knew I should get one.

The connection with the water is much stronger, I catch so many more rides and have so much more fun than I ever did fighting in the line up with all the stand up guys.

My friends don't understand it and keep asking when I'll go back to stand up, oh well to be a non conformist is good!

You can pick off everything they miss and spot waves they would never consider, thanks for building such beautiful and effective wave riding tools.

All the best

Dom

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Wow!! That's a lot quicker than I imagined, was thinking it would take a few weeks. Thank you so much!!!

Danielle

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Paul

I took out the standard today. And Wow so much fun. Can't believe how different it is compared to the Omni. Which now ruins me for the future because now I will want to try other models. Good thing they are small so the wife doesn't kill me.

Also I wanted to thank you and tell you how much I appreciate you telling about the blemish even though I can't even tell. I feel that is wonderful and it really makes me even happier I got my mat from you directly. I very much appreciated all the emails as well.

Thank you very much.

Geoff

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Hi Paul,

Just wanted to reach out and thank you for your masterful surfmat craftsmanship. I've been riding my Standard for nearly 2 months now in SF and I just can't get enough of it! Many great sessions already in big and small conditions. I think I've enjoyed the smaller days more, where I can really explore the capabilities of the mat. I'm certainly still a beginner getting the hang of it, and the learning process has been pure joy.

Thanks again! I'm definitely a 4GF lifer now. PS - I attached a clip of one of my first waves I caught on the Standard, hope you'll enjoy :)

Cory

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This inflation thing is really interesting and I feel like I'm getting it sorted out... But that against conflicting advice (but that never happens in life 🤣)

I'm 5'11 and 192 lb riding an omni. Today some air got let out of it as the air valve opened up accidentally. I was only able to give it a couple of puffs before having a set land on my head. I decided to turn around and take one and it was a really nice ride.... At an inflation level that I can fold the thing all the way in half and I'm starting to find that I like that the best !?!? I took just a couple more waves like that before going in and I'm not so sure that's "pro level" riding inflation but that maybe that's really the only good way to ride a mat - the sweet spot for the device.

I was just advised by a fellow who's been mat surfing (your mats 👍🏻) for 12 years that he rides his almost completely filledl-up-hard that I should do the same. I have not tried that yet, maybe next time even though I liked the low inflation quite well. Up until today I was in that middle ground range where I saw some YouTube video saying you need to fold the mat at 90°, if you can't go any farther that's about right.

It's probably 3 ft with the occasional 4 foot mushy day in San Diego near Scripps Pier.

I think I'm going to try a pretty low inflation again next time. Then maybe switch to having it really stiff and filled up but I'm thinking that 90° thing at least for me wasn't so great it was kind of a lame middle ground perhaps.

Thanks,

Bill

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Awesome Paul. Appreciate it and thanks for making these things that make me feel like a kid again. I was a seriously pissed off and bitter surfer before your mats saved me. I owe you big time.

Jared

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Paul,

WE received the mats! They’re beautiful. Side note, the production date on the mats is our wedding

anniversary. 36 years this year! Makes them extra special.

Thanks so much,

Russ and Kim

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Hey Paul!

I finally took out my SurfMat! My wife and I spent a few days in Pacific Beach and I got some time to take it out this morning.

While I was unsuccessful in catching all but some straightforward white water it was still a wonderful experience. Something about being able to bring my mat there and back is a delightful experience. I'm already planning a day trip to Pacifica to try again and shopping for wetsuits.

For people like me who don't yet live by the ocean, I think there is an appeal to owning a surf craft you can take to the beach but that isn't a giant board. I'm not sure if you're familiar with Tenkara fishing, I think there is a similar appeal.

Thank you for your gracious introduction to the sport, I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Sincerely,

Graham

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Hey Paul,

rode the Omni the other day for the first time, soft waist shoulder high beach break here in SF. For how the waves were, it was the perfect mat. Nice glide for the flat sections and easy to roll on the edge to hold a line for the short bowling sections.

What I find interesting is there is something I like about new mats, the stiff fabric has a crispness in its response. I noticed that with the new standard I got a year and a half ago.

I never run low inflation to much, because of the waves I ride, the beach break here at Ocean Beach. Mostly 90 degree bend, give or take, so a little stiffer. I appreciate the softness with low inflation. I just don't get to ride that way.

I had a supersoft Standard about 10 years old, broken in. It was great fun. Completely different feeling, I should get it back.

Just an observation.

I love these mats.

Mahalo,

Mark

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thanks again Paul.

Surf mat riding saved my mental health during the pandemic. the first time I went out during lockdown was to ride my bag. Please know your craftsmanship offers more than just a consumer exchange of money, very grateful.

Share the love,

Joel

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Awesome!! I just made the purchase. I think I'll go with the tried and true standard. Love the sound of the lotus though, I know I'll need a backup mat one day or one I can lend to friends, I will keep in mind

I do a lot of traveling so the mats are perfect for me, the one thing I can shove in a suitcase and go anywhere. I have a dream to give up my place at the beginning of next year and travel to a bunch of ocean spots and go full digital surfer nomad

I work remotely so can go anywhere. I wanted to find Hawaii on the map and just go down the equator line and see what else is out there. Still can't quite feel out the state of the world but that free spirit inside of me is ready to be released so either way I don't think I'll be able to stop myself

Sweeeet, thank you Paul!

Tony

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Wow, that was fast! Thank you so much. I think you have offered the best service I've ever received. Dean is excited. My brother said despite his learning curve, it is totally worth it. I am currently trying to learn to surf a wave ski, but may be a future customer.

Best,

Kris

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Thanks for the link. Yesterday had one of those sessions that restores the faith in mat surfing or surfing general after a run of surfs in zoos only wave working or surfing a river mouth wave which is a constant battle to try stay in the line up which does not work unless your on a SUP you end getting out half a mile down the beach and walking the walk of shame to your starting point to do it all over again.

Yesterday surfed a reef in a Army firing range so off limits most of the time plus very fickle needing the right wind and swell direction it was perfection and you would thought you were in the Maldives the water was so clear shame about all the rubber you need to wear this time of year had some of those rides were it sounds like your mat is being torn in half under you . Stoked even though my calfs are still burning.

Jerry

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Hi Paul,

Thank you for your swift creating and communication.

I read through the rider's guide the other day, very helpful information and images.

I am looking forward to riding it here in some decent swell in the coming months.

Thank you kindly once again, and enjoy the long weekend.

Warm Regards,

Johanna

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