Saturday In Holland ...

Hi Paul,

I hope all is well.

Spring has started in the Netherlands. Some Dutch sloppy waves, but fun, today at my home spot. I'm riding the standard + 1 inch you made for me a couple of years ago. Works great!

Say hi to Gloria.

Have a good weekend!

Marc

Don't Try This At Home ...

The double canvas, twin finned rafts crafted by Woody Woodworth in the Newport area back in the 70's are legend in the mat riding community.

This photo shows why, in some situations, uber-grip and ultra-durability have their place!

From Peter ...

Hi Paul,

More than a few people have asked me if i sleep on my mat. Now i can tell them where to go for a proper bed!

Peter C

4GF Sale Wrap Up ...

Our sale this past April netted almost 70 orders! (This time of year, 40 or so during that time span would be average.) I'm just now caught up with the back log. Thank you all for your patience.

The ratio of new mat riders compared to established riders looking to back up their quiver with an extra mat or two was roughly 3-1...which is just about the norm during non-sale periods.

The breakdown of models is also similar to most months. Trackers and Omnis dominate, with Fatties and Vespas coming second, and XLs, UDTs, Standards and Classics  making up the rest of the orders in about equal numbers. One Lotus order came through as well.

The neatest part, for us, is to hear the responses from new mat riders who've been on the fence about trying a mat, then going ahead and getting one during the sale.

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Hi Paul,

 

Got the matts and rode them for first time this weekend. They are so awesome. We had the time of our lives.

 

Thank you for such a great product!

 

Mark

 

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Paul,

Used the mat for first time today.  Had a blast and am looking forward to
more fun with it.

Thanks!

Chuck

 

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Hi Paul

Got the mat Monday and a nice 3-4 ft swell arrived Tuesday so got some nice rides on it right away.

Really impressed with the quality and the way it rides.

Looking forward to learning how to ride it better so I appreciate the info you sent.

No points in these parts but when the conditions are right we do get some fast walls and the extra speed will come in handy.

Thanks  Very Much,

Paul

 

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Paul,

 

Mat arrived on Friday. It's 40 ounces lighter than
what I've been using which is better than I'd hoped. Looking
forward to many trips with it. Beautifully made.

 

Thanks,

Art

 

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Hey Paul,

This Joe, used my mat 1st time today and had a blast. It was a learning experience but never a dull  moment. Got some good waves and really enjoyed it. Getting to the outside, I was using lifeguard rescue techniques with the mat as mu victim and instead going toward the shore, I was going out.

Started with a 90% bend and let out more air until it fell really comfortable.

Used DaFin kicks but I think, I will try the regular DaFin or Duck Feet. I felt not enough thrust with the kicks.

The rides were just pure fun, really enjoyed it. My wife was a little shy still but I will get her on it.

Thank you again,

Best regards

Joe

 

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Also, my bother Dan and I would like to thank all the people who sent us their well wishes after our mother's passing. It meant a lot to us...

 

PG

 

 

Beach Boys Followup ...

For sale at Rockaway Records, the record store around the corner where I live...only $100 Grand!

Cheers,
Florian

From Art ...

 

Paul,

 

Thanks for the quick service on the surf mat. I plan to use it like it shows me in this picture. This is in a narrow granite canyon in central Arizona that I've been going to for more than 40 years. I sit on the mat and stay out of the cold water. The air mattress I've been using is worn out and I'm looking forward to about 15 more years going there with your surf mat.

 

 

 

I'm sure the surf mat will provide plenty of buoyancy for my technique. Besides, I'm

thrilled to be soon owning something that was NOT made in you-know-where by Communists.

Photo from the first trip through in 1973 with no-longer-made Stebco air mattresses.

 

Art

From Jonathan ...

Hi Paul,

When I saw this my ears pricked up, being a fan of the Beach Boys, The Ranch and 1968 in general. Probably not blogworthy, but it does have Thee Content.

I wonder about the motivation for this shot. Credibility construction? Seems a little superfluous by 1968.... Anyway, Bruce Johnson and Dennis Wilson catch-a-wave while Al Jardine is shown flailing on some kind of mat.

And Mike Love doesn't bother.

Hope you're well, and happy being home. I'm now halfway through what will now be an 7-8 month dessication period... doin' alright.

Jonathan

From Mark ...

Hi Paul,

I saw on your website that you have a sale on at the moment. It gave me the impetus to
consider a new mat.

Since I got the Standard last year my daughter has grabbed it and loves it. She's better than me on them which grates a bit but it has led to some great dad daughter experiences. We even had some good waves in Indo last year.

Thanks,

   Mark

4GF Sale Ending ...

 

Hi Everyone,

First of all, thank you all so much for your kind words regarding my mother's passing. Gloria and I were overwhelmed by the condolences we received...and believe me, you made a difference in our lives over the past month.

The 4GF sale that's been going on during the month of April will end Friday, May 8th.  Orders received Saturday and beyond will reflect our usual retail price...but with the upside that those orders will go out ASAP. (Sale orders are all on a 3-4 week delay as we address the backlog of orders we received...over 60 of them!)

Thank you all again,

Paul and Gloria

From Mat Max

After six months of use I've found that pod 3 fins are a significant step up from the excellent (except for being a bit underpowered) pod 2 flippers that I previously used for five years. 3s are about 15% more efficient, and unlike 2s, they haven't needed any modifications to stop chafing. (Although I may glue some nylon webbing around the outsides of the heel straps, as being soft and comfy, they stretch a bit when going at super speeds.)

Pod 3s have fairly fast kicking velocity (on par with Da Fins), are very very comfortable, and brilliant once up and riding because of their smooth shape and excellent side rails. They have superb drainage that quickly removes sand.

Pods 3s definitely require tethers tied short because the forgiving straps don't stay properly placed all the time. I've been going with pod because my feet are wide and have some sensitive knobs but my ankles are skinny. pod 3s have comfortable smallish ankle holes, and tons of interior space, which suits me. Once I hit the water I don't have to think about my flippers and just let them do their thing.

I'm happy with pod 3 and not looking for the next purchase, which must mean that they're pretty good. I recommend these well designed top-quality real rubber fins for most matters most of the time. (Make sure to use good tethers tied tight to the top edges of the heel straps.)

Happy matting Mates!

Pahl (Mat Max)

Bali Link From Bretto ...

Hi Paul,

Im sending you this link of my friend's blog from Bali.

Richard's parents are from US, but he was born in Bali in the 50's. He is the only bule ( non-Indonesian ) who can actually lay claim to being a local.

New swell again today at the same spot...

Cheers
Bretto

(Bali. Not Bretto, not Michelle...)

From Bretto, Michelle and Indi: Bali Diary ...

Bretto and Indi, back home during the early years...

 

Michelle by the temple...

 

Indi's first mat surf in Bali...

 

Going for it! Indi taking the reefs in her stride with a grin from ear to ear!

 

Stoked! The standard must be like an XXL UDT for her...

 

Mat rack...

 

"Dad, did you see me on that wave!"

 

 

A few more water shots from today...

 

 

Update...more Indi charging!

 

 



From Mat Max ...

Hi Gloria and PG,

 

Just realized that it's been thirty years since we met and I got my first 4th Gear Flyer from you! Initially there were lots of questions to be answered about how to ride a mat. Now I'm questioning those answers and letting the mat do the riding. The less I do the better I go. 4GF has been my most life-improving technology. All the other adoptions and adaptations grow increasingly complex and demanding of upgrades. Matting has become simpler and less technical to the point where thinking is unnecessary and it's all about feeling. These days the mat finds its own genius lines if just I let go and stay with it. Goofing around on 4GFs is one of the precious few things in life that gets fresher and funner as time passes... Cheers Mates!!!

 

Stoked!

 

Pahl

 

PS: Attached is a shot of my current kit: Mini + pod 3 w/ homemade tethers + $1.50 boardshorts

From Eric ...

Hi Paul,

Still happily retired and the waves we have had in 2015 so far have been particularly good down our way.

Lotsa uncrowded days with alternating North OR South swells to keep us sliding. 

Our local group of "Matmen" has grown to over 10 of us now. A selection of pics included with me Justin & Steve getting a few. 

 

Regards Eric 

The Big And Small Of It ...

Hi Paul, 

 

I'm just sharing a short clip my twelve year old boy Alejandro riding your 4GF in Cocoa Beach, FL. I'm pretty stoke about it. Your 4GF is not only for old school, it's for new school too. More power to you and 4GF.
 

Bobby

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Paul,

I hope you are doing well.
 

Got a couple of fun ones over the last weekend.
 

It was a mini mat meet, and David Song took a few pictures. This was the Omni DRP. In retrospect I should have turned at the top and run for the shoulder, such as it was, it gets walled down here on a south.
 

If I turned earlier and got it into 4th gear I might have made the section. The DRP definitely holds in on the drop and bottom turn!
 

Regards,

Bruce

 

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And...apparently our own JJ rode CDM Jetty on his Fatty during the same swell!

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Hi Paul,

Here are my two friends doing a surf-canoe-to-surf-mat transfer on Kauai. I was really stoked to see this and want to share it with you.

Jeremy from Malolo canoe  surf