Surfmatting 1951

 

Matting starts at 3:55

From Mikey

 

This is Captain Dave. He's one of the most bad assed old timers from SD. He's a boat captain and a really crazy fisherman. 

The off-the-top slice he did was so good, but my buddy's camera blurred out for some reason in the middle of the ride.

We were riding near the swimming area at the OB pier. We meet there early most mornings for a mat surf. I have loaners mats for anyone who want's to give matting a try.

Mikey/Pack Ratt Records

From Christopher

 

Dear Paul-

I was finally able to get the Fatty wet this morning and I wanted to send you a heartfelt thank you for making such a wonderful product. 

I just turned 42 last month and I was fortunate enough to purchase a home less than 10 minutes from the beach about 18 months ago. For the past 6 months I've been running on the beach and bodysurfing in order to get back into ocean shape since I'd been landlocked for the past 20 years. I'm also lucky enough to be able to go almost daily and often get first look at any potential waves. 

That being said, in typical Florida fashion it went flat as soon as my 4GF was delivered. I've been hauling it down to the beach daily in anticipation of anything ridable, and today we had some decent knee to waist high sets roll in on a pretty short beach break but I couldn't resist getting out there. 

It took me a bit to get comfortable paddling but once I figured out my torso placement and rhythm I was floored at how well it paddles and has far less drag than I would have anticipated. My first few attempts were pretty hilarious, I either didn't pull the mat far back enough once I caught the wave and subsequently lost power, or I would get a bit too far forward and plunge the nose down because I wasn't using enough finesse and acting like it was a boogie board.

However, after about 5 attempts I started to get the hang of things and was able to catch a handful of short glorious rides.  I can already tell this will be way too much fun, and I'm very excited to practice and progress with my skills.

Obviously I didn't unlock 3rd or 4th gear, but I could feel the power of the wave under and behind my mat and can only imagine how fun it will be when I learn to fly!

Thanks again for making me this surfmat.

-Christopher

From Mark

 

Hey Paul, 

Hope you’re well.

I’ve been wanting to send these to you for a while. I was going through Moms’s stuff last spring and found these. I remember begging my dad to rent a mat when the surf was up. That's him with a mat behind me...my mom in the first one.

Enjoy,

Mark

First Semi-Annual Surfmatters Swimsuit Edition

 

Addendum from Lou...

 

Update:

Joe Crawford's Grandmother. Pacific Beach. Early 1970's...