(Bretto last week on the Lotus !!!)
The Lotus is the latest 4GF model, and we've been working on it for about 6 months. It was George Greenough's idea from the ground up. Originally, George just wanted a mat that was as easier to duck dive in surf that was large. Or in smaller but consistent surf...like the relentless, 5 second interval spring windswell he surfs in NSW.
Of course, no mat can duck dive well, but George wanted to explore the minimal end of mat volume just to see if it made any difference, duck dive wise.
The Lotus is narrow, and somewhat thinner, than the other 4GF models. (The length is the same.) George's reasoning was this: Narrower mats hold in well, while thinner mats tend to slide out. So why not make a really narrow mat that was thinner, and let the narrowness do the "hold" work, and not rely on the thickness for that responsibility. Volume-wise, it's a win-win. The Lotus is both narrower and thinner...meaning there's a lot less volume of air to push through waves when paddling out. The final thickness of the Lotus is only slightly thinner that the other 4GF models, but you can feel it in the water.
The narrow nature of the mat reminded me of the 60's era Lotus GP cars, so that's where we got the "Lotus" moniker from.
Here's the first batch of protos I sent to George, Boyd and Bretto in NSW...
All the Lotus prototypes worked. (Narrow mats tend to surf well regardless of the details of the I-Beam stagger or corner template...just because they're narrow.) I weigh around 195 pounds and wear a 6/5/4 suit most of the year, so the challenge, for me, was to get as much glide out of the lean mats as possible. That became my primary goal while surfing the prototypes here in the California during this past summer.
With the feedback from the Byron boys (and my own observations riding the identical batch I made for myself) I generated another round of protos, and we sorted through them. The number 7 version worked best for everyone. It had nice glide for a narrow mat, and was pretty good getting under waves paddling out. But again, no mat duck dives well...so don't lose your mind and think that issue is totally resolved!
Of course, because the Lotus is so narrow, it's also a natural big wave mat in terms of riding characteristics. The wave size it needs to get onto a plane depends on how big the rider is. At 195 pounds, I need a head high wave to get comfortable...although I 've ridden surf down to 2-3 feet and was able to get it to break loose and go. But, it's mentally draining, as you always have to stay with the power. You can't cruise out into the flat to set up a cutback just for fun.
The holding advantage of the Lotus really comes into play when riding big/sucky waves, on your "backside" (if you have a backside while mat riding), surfing in crowds (the Lotus holds in well when people drop in on you), and riding at night (when you can't see the wave you're riding.)
I distributed my batch of prototypes to friends, and sold about a half dozen of them to mat riders just to get some feedback. Here's what I heard...
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Hello Paul,
Thanks for prototype mats.
Impressed with the name ''lotus'' for
these prototypes, it fits nicely to your earlier creation the Omni, all very
mystical...something I tease George about.
Seriously, you have done a fully
professional job in, to quote George, ''bracketing'' these new designs, so as it
will be very easy to make comparisons.
I am real excited to test them, hopefully
we will get some sizeable waves to put them through their paces.
For me, I generally can tell straight up
about a mat, although this maybe a little different, as you know you tend to
start to adjust to any new mat, irrespective of the design.
It will be interesting surfing these mats
with George, I just hope he doesn't get cramped up by crowds, idiots when
surfing them.
Some years ago, to be precise, Easter about
4 -6 years ago, when you made us a bunch of different ''I-Beam" height mats,
George and I had this unbelievable great surf together, no one else, in these 4
- 6 ft waves that had good bottom tension. We had a fantastic time evaluating
and comparing these mats without the nonsense of crowds and idiots. It was
really surfing ''in the moment'' of quality waves.
So hopefully we can experience similar
times..
Gee, its good being young again!
Best,
Boyd
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Paul,
The surf was fun today, albeit more
crowded than I would like...it's Easter after all! 3-4ft with fat rampy take-offs and then
fast, draining and tapering walls. FUN!
It was my first go-out on a Lotus and my
first impression is what a well proportioned mat!
I just loved the size of it and how it
felt underneath me. Within the first 10 or 15 minutes in the water I'd already
caught about half a dozen great rides, both left and right!
Stoked. I see what you mean about narrow
mats finding the pocket and effortlessly staying exactly where they need to be.
That's exactly what the Lotus did, wave after blessed wave. I see what you're saying about narrow versus wide. It's so interesting! The surf
today on the Lotus was possibly the best I've had in ages, really like the feeling
of that mat.
I also felt strong on the backside! I'm
comfortable on my backside (both surfboard and surfmat), but obviously frontside
is more preferable, but today I barely even thought about which way I was going
as they both felt really good. Backside is sometimes a struggle when it's quite
hollow, which it was when we first got in and the Lotus just KILLED IT!
After a while, I swapped with Audi and
took the Standard. It felt like a wide tugboat in comparison. The
Standard performed REALLY well also, but I felt like the Lotus was a perfectly
tuned guitar string and the Standard was just slightly out but only enough
that one could barely notice after hearing how in-tune the string next to it is.
Very fun.
However, this must all be treated with
the caveat, in so far as this was the first surf on a new mat. I'm almost always
amped after a first session. More hours required, but it's still nice to note
the initial findings for later.
NP
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Another day...The conditions were far from optimal, 2-3
ft dumping slop with a fair amount of southerly wind, but managed to get the Lotus flying in 2 different surf spots. Straight away, harder to get onto the
waves but when on them it FLIES!! I really like the size and feel of it
underneath me.
I'm wondering how narrow we can go? It was really steep and dumpy
at one point and the Lotus felt like I was bodysurfing with speed and purpose
rather than riding a mat! I like that feeling. I'm really convinced that the
narrower the better for me. I'm sure that wont suit everyone, but for a small
guy like me it really works!
NP
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Hi Paul,
Had a couple of go outs today on the Lotus. It's fast, and easy to pull up into the face. I think already it will go great in
tubes and be the mat for indo. I really like the feeling of a tiny mat. This
week I'll ride the lotus on the dropping swell and see how it goes in smaller
waves.... but so far I love it !!!
Cheers Bretto
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Hi Paul,
Had a few goes on the Lotus in good size tubes. It feels so rock
solid in the barrel, slick and super fast its like it could make anything. Also
the smaller size so good for manhandling under sets, I've had some super clean
duck dives where as normally Id prepare for a flogging.
I rode good size
point yesterday and today but I opted for the Standard as it had a few fat sections
to link up, keeping the Lotus for those really barreling or super heavy
days.
Michelle took a few photos of me on the lotus and Al on the lotus and a
few of the point, I can send them if you want to see.
Cheers and
super stoked
Bretto
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Right Chief,
Lotus, eh? Sounds racy. Would you
believe that we'll be pushing one-thousand percent beyond the performance
envelope with this testing?
Thanks for the interesting
assignment,
Max
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Hi PG,
Those
mats do look racy! #3 is a lot like the Mini with a full length chassis and #8
seems to be a majorly refined 5GF. So we have significant evolutions of my two
favorites! There are chaotic six foot sets here today with lumpy sideshores. I'm
avoiding such punishment as the water is a bit like wet cement at the moment.
Will get out there soon.
Cheers,
Pahl / Max
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Hey Paul,
Went
out this morning on the Lotus in 3-4 foot semi-fat reef surf and got some
decent racetracks. The Lotus is pretty close to my 5GF size-wise so it's a good
comparison.
The tighter corners and longer rail line
noticeably stiffen up the handling. Feels like there's a bit of downforce, as
the Lotus sucks onto the water. Definitely gunnier than other 4GFs. Wants to draw
longer lines and likes linking sections.
More grip at
higher velocity. This is probably due to the slightly smaller corner radii. The
increased rectangularity makes for a more stable platform. I can see how this
new concept mat would slither across spots similar to Lennox Head with surety.
Iif the surf was heaving I'd be more confident on the Lotus.
The Lotus configuration obviously develops more grip
and directional stability than other 4GFs as speed increases -- like a modern
racecar! Right, these are my first impressions.
Cheerio,
Max / Pahl
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Another sunny bonus day before the Southerlies! 1-3 foot spent swell with strong
offshores. Good for seeing how Lotus goes in small weak waves at 180
inflation: Definitely a purpose built model. In peaky little beachbreak the fun
factor is diminished by the gunny aspects of the design.
That said, I could
get used to forcing turns and finessing cutbacks. Still though, the long aspect
ratio and squarer corners tend away from playfulness, which disqualifies the
Lotus as an all purpose toy. It's a very worthy addition to the 4GF line, as
long as buyers are fully informed as to the nature of the beast.
I'm really stoked on the
Lotus design for riding bomboras swells and long fast walls!!!
Max
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Hi Paul,
Riding the Lotus is like driving formula one.
Bretto
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When the lotus hits the straight nothing can come close
First
gear...
2nd...
3rd...
4th...
And hang on tight...
Yeewwww!!!!
Its going to be the perfect barrel rider for indo for sure guaranteed. When I
look out the window and its pumping I get excited just knowing I'm up for another
go out on the Lotus that's how exciting it is to ride !
cheers
Bretto
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Howzit Paul?
The Kiwi sea is now sinus headache temp, but
not yet brainfreezing. I took Lotus out in 3-5' offshore beachbreak with some long
walls that required all available thrust and more. Nothing very gnarly but quite
lined up. It locked positively onto steep faces for stable fast trimming.
Developed 5% to10% more top end than a Standard on flat-out speed runs due to improved
highline trajectory derived from better hull traction. Turns and cutbacks
required a bit more hip roll / lean angle. Overall handling was stiff and
secure.
The Lotus feels like a solid step-up mat with no flaws
or vices.
Cheers, Maxi
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Hey Paul,
The waves dropped to 2-3' today with the same shape and winds. Lotus
was much less fun in smaller surf. Joy was diminished by stiff handling, and the
overall ride was a bit sluggish due to the mat being underpowered. Today's
experience furthered the idea that the Lotus is a special purpose design.
Cheerio, Max
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Hi Paul,
It's been good every day for matting but only small, riding the standard,
UDT and Tracker ( I hadnt ridden the TRT for a while and forgotten what a great
little performer it is.)
Anyway woke up this morning excited as the
prediction was for a 3 meter south swell, and while it was no where as big as
predicted it was still good enough for another test of the Lotus. The best thing
was it was cold stormy and a bit lumpy so there wasn't another surfer in sight,
which was a relief as lately we have been battling an invasion of small wave
hellmen on their SUPs.
Funny thing when I was riding it felt fast but not super fast, but Michelle said
I was going faster than she had ever seen !!!! Going out now for another try
now yeeeeewwwwww !!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again Paul and I'll
keep you posted
Regards
Bretto
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Hey Paul.
So I'm back home in Aus. The Gold Coast has had amazing waves. The
lotus is crazy. 3ft flat bottom drainers and it just locks in accelerates and
shoots you out the other side. I tried riding it in some smaller softer waves
and found the narrowness a little tough but in fast hollow waves it was
wild.
Thank you thank you.
This is the end section of the super bank today, just to give you an
idea..
Eden Saul
Dead Kooks Surfboards.
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I did ride LOTUS yesterday and that is my favourite mat ever!!
First waves we've had in 6 weeks and
about 3-4ft, steep, sectiony and peeling at times. The lotus is really intuitive
in those conditions. Minimal input from me and maximum face time achieved! Super
fast!
Like I've said before, my perfect quiver
now is an Omni (possibly Fatty) and a Lotus. That has everything covered,
proper.
Thanks for the mats, boss...they've
really changed my view on mats this year.
Appreciated!
NP
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Hey Paul.
Been giving the lotus a really solid run lately in some juicy waves at
Lennox point. Took a little to adjust to the pulled in width.. But now I'm
freaking on the speed it holds. Comes hard off the bottom and holds a nicely and
when you bank a solid high line it's pretty crazy. Anyways. Thank you for
putting a smile on my face once again
Eden Saul
Dead Kooks
Surfboards.
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Quick update..... been riding the original Lotus only so far, only about head
height a bit over and its going so good I cant believe it especially for the
critical late take off into the barrel, making everything...... even on the 5gf i
was struggling a bit on these waves the Lotus is loving it. Waiting for a bit more
pumping waves!!!!!
Cheers
Bretto
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Paul,
Thank you for the Lotus! Gary and I have
been talking about getting the new Lotus for several months, so what a great
day it was today to finally have it.
I had time to hit the water with the this afternoon in head high wind swell. It worked fantastic! It paddles fast and
easily catches waves, like all the other 4GF mats. I was concerned at first that
I might not have enough mat to get going but that quickly proved to be a
needless worry. The mat is very fast and very maneuverable. I was delighted with
the ease at which it holds to the face. The
difference is noticeable. Kudos on the advancement in mat design!
While the
waves today were nothing special, I had an especially fun time just because I
was riding the long-awaited Lotus. Several people in the lineup commented on
how fast I was going and how well I was riding, little did they know I was on a
new mat I had never ridden before. I hope to get the Lotus in some real juice
soon (see attached photo).
I took the Lotus to Gary's house and we both
salivated over it for a while. We broke out all our mats to compare. The Lotus
is narrower than the Standard. This gives the Lotus its own
unique "feel" and I like that. Its a definite screamer, this coming from a
larger rider (>200lbs).
All the best going into the
holidays,
Aaron.
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Hey Paul. The lotus took a little adjusting but I'm losing my mind on that
thing now. I've had a bunch of my buddies keen to get some mats this last little
while, and I've just moved into a new factory with a showroom space and would
love to get a few for the boys and a few to put in the showroom with my boards
also.
Eden Saul
Dead Kooks Surfboards.
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Yesterday there was a huge in increase in size from totally flat to stomach high
on the clean up sets. I met up with Gary and my dad at the beach for a bit. Gary
rode the Lotus and loved it! It worked in the small surf, and he was getting
great rides and doing tricks on it with ease.
My dad went out on the standard to
give mat riding his first real go. He got good rides and was discovering many of
the little tricks to riding a mat. Once we get real waves and he gets his first
high speed slide he will be hooked! I rode Gary's tracker and got some nice
waves even though it was small.
The small wave performance of the 4GF
never ceases to impress. We were the only ones out and had a blast, a nice
relief from the typical bombing crowds we get he when the surf is 1 foot or
bigger. Without the 4GF mats, none of us would have surfed since it would not
have been fun on any other watercraft.
Aaron
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PG = Sensei in anticipation, i am seeking the next graduating step
to : The Lotus!!
i am spending much time in
preparation. Yoga positions & heavy meditation will hopefully ready me for
the High Speeds of this new ride! Thank you Sensei your enlightened
student gary -
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Paul
Got the best mat waves of my life today at Rincon on the Lotus. 4
feet overhead and epic fast. Sick mat, somebody got footage, will see if it pops
up online. I love the Lotus, thanks again!
Aaron
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Paul,
Haven't seen any video pop up yet.
Some more detail on the epic
session:
I cracked it and the wind was strong
side shore, but hollow and not blown out. The early crew paddled up at the top
of the point so I had the cove to myself for almost 45 minutes. The sets had 8
waves in them and the lulls were about 3 minutes. Size was a perfect 2-4 feet
overhead (8-10 foot faces).
The way the wind was blowing made it
near impossible for the surfers to get in to the waves but the mat sliced
through the wind with ease. The lotus with the DRP was perfect for the
conditions. The hold was great but the speed was off the charts. The waves, due
to the west swell angle and east wind, we're very lined up and almost unmakeable
due to how fast they were. I made every wave. Later on, several people made it a
point to paddle over to me and tell me how amazingly fast I was going and how
good the rides were I was getting.
After 5 sets all to myself the crowd
hit, the wind died, the swell backed off a notch, and the fun was over. I
counted almost 500 bodies in the water at one point. I spent the next 6+ hours
playing crowd pinball. I saw some severe injuries from collisions, verbal
fights, lots of people going straight or left, impenetrable networks of ditched
boards and everything else that goes with a super-hyped swell met with
international hordes of beginners.
Some people were excited to see a surf
mat tearing it up and asked where to get one. It felt good to have gotten over
the learning curve and to have progressed to the point where other people want
to take up matting after watching me. The fun is contagious!
I got my piece of the pie and went home
happy, despite the degradation in conditions and massive crowd later on. The
Lotus has worked out better than I had hoped!
Aaron
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Some great image of the Lotus courtesy of Michelle ...
If you want a Lotus, just order a Standard from our home page at surfmats.com and let me know that you want a Lotus in the comments box. Now's a good time, since all the high end 4GF mats are
on sale ($25 off) during the month of December.
Thanks,
Paul
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