SURFMATTERS

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Hi Paul,

Today i had my first matsession of 2012!

Besides very cold feet good rides on 4 to 5 ft waves!

Speak to you soon.

Greets, Marc

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Paul....

well. the maiden voyage was at Queen's in Waikiki. There was a little south bump - shoulder to head highish. Managed to get a few and had a blast!

Tomorrow a.m. heading to the a little nook of mine on the n.shore for some fun size clean stuff. Stoked to get back in the water on some sort of surf craft.

Been battling a knee injury since December so I have only surfed a hand full of times - mostly been bodysurfing...many thanks..

milt

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Paul...

I called the bouy in the am and the swell hadn't hit so I surfed diamond head, a few feet over head on the sets, slight bump to it. I had an absolute blast. Moments where i felt in control, other moments totally out of control and laughing the whole time. People were tripping out the mat asking me what I was riding.

Milt

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Today I went up north, waves were pretty damn good actually rode my little quad cautiously because of my knee, all went well, had a blast. Funny though, I think I had more fun on the mat yesterday! I could use some pointers on duck diving??? Also, heading to nicaragua this summer. Dumb question but is it bad to fold the mat so it fits in a backpack or should i make sure to always roll it up?

Appreciate words of advice...

milt

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Hi Paul -

Received my Fatty in the mail today, nice fast delivery!!

Mat looks good, to my neophyte eyes I don't see too many differences between it and my R/T Tracker, besides the tail shape - I am sure the differences will be more apparent in the water.

Thanks

Jim

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Paul,

I'm very cautious in using the term "I think", especially around learning to ride a mat but......

I was out the other day in Ventura on bumpy 4-5 ft waves. On one pretty decent wave, I moved as far forward as I've ever been on the mat, felt like my head was way out in front, which of course it wasn't, but I figured more of my main weight was now over roughly middle of mat, everything was just in balance, maybe even in trim (?) speed was absolutely super, I kept on waiting to pearl, it never happened.

I'm thinking I haven't been riding forward enough overall, obviously were talking "inches" here, but I'am going to start doing more of this till I crash and burn and then move back a notch. Ah the joy of discovery, and the young people on their boards still stop and watch me ride and just shake their head.

The best, Michael

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Hey Paul,

It was nice to meet you the other day. I had a lot of fun on the new Mat- Thanks. Hope to see you out again.

-Will

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hello Paul,

My standard arrived this morning look great. thanks for your service and attention.

Arnaud.

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Wonderful! Will order my Fatty asap. Thanks for the advice, and your speedy reply. I see why people say such good hings about you!

Sincerely, Richard

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Stoked

Sent from my iPhone

Mark

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Hi Paul,

thanks for keeping me informed, I will look forward to the delivery,and restart my Thirty five years of stand up surfing with a new experience,and learn all over again!!

All the best, Graham

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Hello Paul, its clovis from france. I well received the mats, they are beautiful ! Thanks a lot and will try to forward you some pictures of them in action !

Thanks. -clovis

Envoyé avec BlackBerry® d'Orange

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Hi Paul,

Received the Standard this afternoon, thanks for the fast delivery. I assume the extra material roll is for repairs. I hope to try the surf mat out this week.

Noel

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Hi Paul,

I got to christen the standard today in less than ideal choppy conditions: SANDYS: holding at 2-3' on sets on the crossed up 2' SSE and 3' Trade/N swell with 10-25mph side-offshores; mostly out at Full Point.

I picked Full Point because the rest of south shore was flat. I started with a 90 degree inflation then later tried various deflations and inflations to feel the difference.

I was able to kinda catch 3 or 4 waves in the hour I was out, more than I would have caught if I was bodysurfing and just as much as the other two desperate surfers out in the water.

Surfing on a jellyfish will take some learning; the mat is so flexible and pliable. Some things to note:

It’s easier to duck dive than a longboard, squeeze the front corners and make like a sausage.

A rash guard will help against the canvas.

I will try to keep a constant air pressure next time to lessen the variables.

Squeeze the front corners to firm the back, to position your body.

I think I got ahead of the white water to the next section of the wave, luck or technique??

Was able to turn by leaning and fin steering.

Still need to figure out taking off and staying on the wave.

A college aged surfer paddled out next to me and greeted me with, “I’ve never see you on that, what is that thing?”

Overall I enjoyed the learning experience, I have to think of some good answers for the young surfer dudes.

Aloha,

Noel

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Hi Paul,

Well I don't know how you did it but I ordered my my Fatty on Friday night and it arrived at my home in SB on Monday (today!) It's beautiful.

Thanks for the personalized bit on the "rail", as well as the Rider's Guide. Can't wait to get my new Fatty in the water this weekend!!

Sincerely, Richard

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Hi Paul

David from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland here.

We finally got some decent waves to take the new Tracker round tail out in. I’m hooked! Saturday at King’s Beach was great fun. One wave in particular seemed to go forever, the mat was on ball bearings, till I nose dived of course and fell off. But that’s half the fun, mucking around, trial and

error, bogging the nose, learning all the time. Can’t wait to get back into it!

Regards

David

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Paul,

I got my mat the other day., inflated it and it looks great. Unfortunately, I live in upstate NY and it will not see the ocean until our vacation late this summer. Although, I am likely to try it out on a standing wave on a nearby river that I white water kayak often.

Thanks,

Chris

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Hi Paul,

I'm planning a trip up to BC next month and I was wondering if you've ever sent any 4GFs that way... It would be so cool to meet up with other mat riders while I'm up there!

Thanks,
Sean

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Nothings quite like riding a mat!

I look forward to your posts on Surfmatters. The further adventures of Charlie Sheen etc are great.

As soon as I see one I find I have to check the "this is/is not satire" band to get the right Sheen spin on it.

Great stuff!

Pray for surf!

Best regards,

Bruce

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Hi Paul,

Thanks for sending the Tracker so fast. I've ridden it a few times now.

I like it, it's quite different from the old Standard I have, for one thing it doesn't have a tiny hole in it so it keeps the same inflation! (I tried fixing it twice and never quite got it, still works well though.)

The slightly bigger mat does carry through flat spots better and the round tail feels a little less drag and may help the mat suck up into the pocket a bit more.

Yesterday afternoon I rode it at very small Ma'alaea and was pleased to make some fairly fast waves. I had almost no success on my Standard out there although that was a few years ago and I'm a better mat rider now, but I think the round tail helped. It's a tough mat wave because you need to get down the line right away on take off, basically a barely make-able close out. I think having a bit more mat also helps.

It would be cool if there was a thinner lighter canvas top material you could use.

Aloha!

:) Matt

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Hi Paul,

Thank you so much!

Lately when I mat surf, I've mostly been riding the 4GF Vespa Roundtail. I had it out on a windswell and groundswell mix, about 6 feet on some of the sets, and glassy. The waves had a lot of face area as is typical of that spot. I was able to take off, make sections, including some controlled sliding, then setting an edge and making the next section on some long rights. It also held into one barrel really well, that I got on a left.

Stoked!

Best wishes,

Cher

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Hello Paul,

Thank you for Attached Rider's Guide.

I can't wait for the ride!

Arigato,

Haruo

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Paul,

My surfmat arrived.

Thanks for answering questions and shipping so quickly. It will get wet this weekend.

When hurricane swells arrive, I'll give you a "performance and fun report".

Hope all is good on your side.

Dennis

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Hi Paul

Apologies in delay in getting back to you ,but Thanks for the Mats ,cant Believe how Light they are ,

Waves have been pumping on the Gold coast 3 weeks solid swell every day and Offshore ,have only been out on the Mat a few times just surfing the shorie out in front of my place at Bilinga ,kinda Nth Kirra ,white water really but having a blast and definitely a bit of a learning curve but lots of fun ,cant wait to try it out on some open Face waves,,mixing it up between riding my board on the Points and weekends when its crowded the mat on the Beach breaks .

The last time i rode a Mat that i can remember was years ago when i was a grommet and that was on those old Black Surf O Planes,and and Old one i used in Phuket when i lived there for a While but that was Old school also .

Thanks again .

cheers .

Lou

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An update for those interested.

I had a chance to get the TRT out at a nice left point in Nica - earlier the swell was more than I wanted to attempt with a mat but at head high a bit over it looked perfect. I biffed up the first couple but then I started to get the feel. I got into one early keeping in mind everything I had read hear (get in early , bend it down over the ledge, dolphin kick, squeeze the outside rail) and it came alive , just kinda pulled in to a good spot on the wall and took off. Haha I finally had a good one under my belt! I really started to feel more comfortable and picked off about 7-8 more good ones, hanging wide off the peak taking waves people missed or fell on.

At the end of the session before heading back to the boat I made a point of going to the deepest take off spot at the top of the point and waited for a set wave - took off and made it all the way to the channel. So I figured out quite a bit in that 2 hour session - Thanks for the advise and tips they really helped.

Jim

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Thank you for the handy do's and dont's

Looking forward to riding this beast!

Darren

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not expecting mats for 2 weeks after order. but no, ya gotta get 'em on my doorstep within 2 days, if that isn't a master propaganda move i don't know what is.

btw, they are insane looking/feeling. the craftsmanship is so far beyond my high expectations. can't wait to hit the water this weekend. (turns out andy already has a pair of da fins so we are good to go!) awoooooo!!!

i bought the mat for andy for mother's day gift. she said it's the best gift she has ever gotten-and she is serious about that! new mat, new board or new horse, it's all she wants. no diamonds,etc.

Frenchy

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ok, took mat out yesterday at beach break between emma and solimar. mixed up, south and nw windswell. waist high or so on south sets. pretty much crossed up and dumpy, but fun lefts when a south pulse would push through. no rights at all. it was go left or straight .

as i already commented, the craftsmanship is superior. it's like it knew it had a job to do, get out through the surf into the lineup, and do so in a straight and fast line. take off: the round tail blew my mind how quick and easy it got into waves. a couple of kicks and its in and hooked up. once in the wave it hooked up and took off.it went thru flats and around sections with ease extending most every ride. must be how they are constructed. anyway, after a bunch of fun lefts, i left the water TOTALLY stoked on my rt purchase.

frenchy

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Thanks Paul, looking forward to having some fun on it this summer.

Cheers

Kevin

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The eagle has landed. Your customer service is second to none.

I'll keep you posted, Jeff

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Hi Paul,

That's great news ! thanks for taking care of business so efficiently it is greatly appreciated.

I can't wait to get out with it. I have reviewed a lot of information on line regarding proper techniques pertaining to riding mats which seem to be helpful. The the speed of these things seems very impressive from the videos I have been watching.

I will look forward to sharing with you how it"goes for me".

Stoked!!!!

Marc

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Thanks Paul I'll try to get some better shots for you but the mats are so much fun its hard to get some one behind the camera !

Brett

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Paul and Gloria ,

got them today STOKED! thanks again for the rush order.

thanks so much , I know this was a quick order and I really appreciate it ! Erin will be really stoked!!

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Hello Paul,

Sorry for the late reply..

Really looking forward to seeing , surfing these gems - every mat we have from you goes GREAT!!!

I am a devotee of your craft, always have been, and always will be, the design formulae[s] work a treat.

Trust all is well.

Regards,

Boyd

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Hey Paul...

Just wanted to let you know that my 4GF arrived today! I'm stoked!

Your professionalism has been amazing!

Thank you so much!

Lynn

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got my Vespa. quick uh?

Hey, thanks again!

Slds,

Jason

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Hi Paul,

I've been able to surf my 5gf a few times in a range of conditions now. The thing is unreal. The cutbacks you can do on it are ridiculous. I knew it would go well in big stuff, but more recently I've been surfing it in smaller waves as well found it still works fine. Anyway I just wanted to say thanks for making me such a good surf mat and props for the excellent service.

Many thanks,

Richard.

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Hi Paul

Thanks for the fast response! I'll order one now through your website.I appreciate your time

on a Sunday no less, to steer me into a new mat for small waves!!!

Thanks again.

Jeff

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Thanks Paul can't wait to try it. It just arrived. I watched a guy 2 weeks ago having a blast in waist high surf.

Robert

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Hi Paul

Thank thank you thank you, i really appreciate it, and i will defiantly get you some feedback on the Mini Mat after i give it a go, there are some really nice barreling beach break here and there is a great little reef at one small section of the beach also, i have a feeling it is going to go very good there, i have taken the vespa round tail out there a few times, and i always said man if i could get a mat that was smaller to bite into the barrel this would be great, i will let you know how it goes, cant wait to get it

Thanks again
Harry

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Hey Paul.

Black ball zones are coming soon with the summer season, and I'm stoked to get out there on the Vespa when it gets good and no surfing is allowed!

Take care, and thanks again,

MA

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rode your mat the other day and it was a hoot!

Mark

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Thanks Paul. We are taking a family trip to Costa Rica. I go the mat for my youngest boy, but I hope to get some time on it too.

Clay

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Looks like good stuff. Looking forward to playing in the crappy Spring surf.

Thanks.

Drew

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Daughter had a nice day at the capitola jetty 2 foot peelers and a ton of waves came her way she loves her mat and I take her out after school almost everyday. At first I was helping her out and pushing her in but she got sick of my wave judgment and the poundings of being tossed down the curls. She told me today that she loves my help but wants to pick her own. So off she slides into the beautiful world of the glide.thanks again and keep wet.

Daniel.

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Hey Paul,

finally back in SC again.

Enjoyed Pleasure Point's chilly shallow reef mat-wave yesterday and the morning glass today:-)))

Heeding your advice to downsize as much as possible, I left the XL at home and took the Vespa yesterday.

Today I went to the Tracker, and felt a difference... Less volume and surface area. Waves didn't have enough energy, so went back to the Vespa and again had several 100 yd + rides, connecting sections.

A guy with a handplane came out yesterday because he saw "someone out on a mat".

The mat always generates stoke - and I wanted to pass it on to you.

Take care.

Tom

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Just got in from a day at the beach with my new 4GF! The waves were 2-4+ feet high but it truly was like a washing machine out there. I have to say that I love riding the surf mat. Today was my first experience with it and it was initially very bizarre and trying to get used to swim fins was a nightmare. In the end, I can say that I caught a few really decent waves and that little thing is fast! I had a blast and by no means am I saying that I did great...I just had fun and when I did get on a wave in that slop...it was great!! Can't wait to get beyond where I am. I'm heading back on Sunday when the washing machine calms down and the sets are better.

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Hi Paul,

Yup, I've now seen both riding it softer than the old standard works well and the canvas is getting more pliable. I'm loving it! So much fun!

I've been riding mats now for quite few years and really feel like I'm getting the hang of it!

For example today I did a cutback while gently dragging the tip of my fin, it felt so smooth and fast!

Thanks for the great mat!

Aloha,

:) Matt

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Hi Paul

Vespa arrived today,can't wait to get some surf on it !!!!!! More volume for sure can't wait for surf !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Vespa is very well made and was delivered really fast across the country.For that and your guidance on mat selection

you have my sincerest thanks.

Jeff

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Hey Paul,

Got the mats on Friday! Test drove on Sunday, wohoo! it was a great time. The Mat maybe seemed a little big for me but yeah I'll figure it out, as it said in the guide "it maybe a handful at first". But I do have a question, where do I lay on the mat so I can get through the waves easier on the way out? I took a few to the face as the mat folded upward going over and it felt like I was holding on to wet spaghetti as I tried going under. Thoughts recommendations? I know a lot depends on size so I'm looking at knee to waist high waves.

thanks for the fun,

scott

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rad- super rad! i will report back soon.
thanks so much,

steiny

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Hi Paul.

Just to say thanks very much for your very quick reply to my email yesterday.

The information you passed on was very useful, and also the link to UK mat surfers very interesting.

Many thanks and looking forward to sending you a order very soon.

Kevin.

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I just wanted to thank you again for such amazing customer service. I took out my new mat this weekend and had a blast. I'll be heading out again next week to continue on my adventures and this odd learning curve of controlling a greased pig.

Hope your day has been a great one!

Lynn

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Hello PG!

Long time since we've 'chatted'. How's life in California for u these days? I'm always checking your adventures in mat design on your blog, you've been a busy boy as usual!

I've been real busy myself, juggling a lot this year but been riding your mats consistently..mainly the standard and sometimes some Udt. Fantastic durability to those mats you build! They really take a flogging.

Hope all is swell and hope you get a wave this weekend!

Cheers,

Neil

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