From Adam

 

 

Howdy Paul

Another fun morning with the Mat Man, Eric Bridges! He loves his new Standard, and I was able to grab some video of him surfing!

Adam

Jack O'Neill RIP

1923 - 2017

From Rob

 

 

 

 

 

Paul,

I had a great time Saturday morning with Chris, Ryan, and Khristian! We had a blast riding mats and sharing waves. Ryan is new to mats and had a great time. The waves where small and soft, but it was still a great morning. 1' to 1.5'

I learned a lot...I learned that I should only have a few people come to introductory mat meets at a time, because once someone gets a mat in their hand they don't want to give it up until you leave!

When I plan my next mat meet next month, I will get a sign up list and take alternates in case people don't show. Small waves are challenging for new mat surfers, but they are also fun enough to hold their attention. I'm going to try and nail down a date so you can post it, but it will be sometime after the 4th of July. I'm super excited!

It was a really good time surfing with a lot of my friends. I'm truly blessed to have found you and your mats, I am really enjoying this journey.

Thanks for all that you do Paul!

Rob

First Ever Gatsby Reference On Surfmatters

A still from The Great Gatsby (1974). Film is set in the "roaring" 1920s.

Were such inflatable water rafts around then?

-- Sam

Memorial Day

Chu Lai Beach Club, Vietnam. Summer of 1965

Eric And The Mystery Of "Tiny''

Hi Paul

Had a fun surf yesterday but no "good" piccies again of me... LOL

An older kneeboard guy nicknamed Tiny has been trying to get details of a good mat so when he saw me he let me know.

He is 6 foot 3 inches..(hence tiny) weights 93 kilo is quite fit and has been a kneelo for many years...

I told him to give you a yell and he will mention scumm ..told him mats are different to boards as he was concerned his height would be of concern ..said nah,

I still reckon a standard or a tracker would be fine.


regards eric

From Surf Sister

From today's session...

From Eric

 

 

 

 

Hi Paul

The boys sure had a great day down sth yesterday. I was on photography duty and with my trusty little canon compact camera managed to get a couple of OK piccies.

Neal "Camo" Cameron rides a 4GF tracker exclusively and really goes good...

The boys got some awesome waves and a couple of flogging so much FUN.

Regards Dabolt

From Jim

Hi Paul,

Got em! Works of art!

Can't wait to slide a few tomorrow, barring weather gnarliness. Today was pretty darn breezy, but I got a few beauties on my now older Tracker.

Kenny's going to be surprised and stoked!

Thanks again,

Jim

From County Cork, Ireland

 

 

Hey Paul,

Just thought I'd give you a bit of a update...

We got away for the weekend just gone, and I think we have another covert to the church of the magic towel. Pete had no idea what we were up to when we were heading to the beach without boards in the van...and got a great surprise when he was presented with his mat!

Two sessions later and he was starting to get his head round things, and getting to hold a line. His surf stoke has been rekindled!   :)

He's decided against the 3rd session, as he didn't fancy looking like a lobster for his wedding on Friday, so he took a few shots. (Attached.)

John B.

Mat People Are Cool

 

Aloha Paul,

 

I'm just loving my Lotus.

 

I'm back in Carmel till June have been matting Pleasure Point a few times this week so much fun and tons of waves...when the A team is not out, mid-day not-best tide.

 

I had such a great session a few days ago that I left my Lotus and fins in the grass right on the side of the road. But a fellow Matter saw it there before her session. Then it was still there after she grabbed them and texted me ( I had my cell on the fins). She returned them the next day 🤙😀

 

Said she had a Standard but hasn't used it in a while.

 

Mike

PS  I got to surf it in Baja a bit ago worked great there too. Got some more recruits I think I bet will order.

 

Bretto's Bali Aftermath

Hi Paul,

Our Bali holiday is sadly coming to an end.

I have been riding the standard this time, as I have only been riding waves head to head and a half in height. The mat went really good especially on the long and winding powerful Indo walls.

Bretto

From Matt In The UK

 

This is a heads up from the UK about something in Jacksonville Beach Florida.

I'm as confused as you are...


:)

From Rob

Paul,

That picture of Tina Turner had me doubled over laughing at work!

I was at Hanna Park with the Family yesterday, and after the Sun and Surf I was drowsy :)! I got to bed early to make dawn Patrol this morning. It was beautiful here and we really enjoyed the Ocean together. Couple of pics. I was riding the Polara yesterday. Chunky gems!

I hope you and your family had a great Easter weekend.

I had an amazing session this morning at 18th on the Vespa. Clean and 3' it was so beautiful. I haven't seen clean waves in a while, and they where a welcome site!

P.S. Tristan is getting the mat bug it won't be long before I need a mat for him!

Rob

Leg Smackdown: Tina Turner Vs. Rob From Florida

 

Last post, Rob had the audacity to compare his Gold's Gym jackhammers to Tina Turner's gams.

Don't even go there, Bruh...

:)

Thursday Fun Day Fom Rob

 

Paul,

I had a blast on Thursday at Hanna Park with Mariah and her Mom, who was in for a visit from Oregon. The water was still a little cold for the ladies to get in, but it was a beautiful day to be on the beach with Family.

The Polara screams for me on anything over 2 feet! I love this mat when the inside is working. I’ve been catching as many session as I can, and exploring different tides and breaks, sometimes catching as many as three sessions a day, if I’m off work.

My body is starting to respond by trimming down, and my baby rhino sized wetsuit is getting loose on me. Mat surfing has given me some Tina Turner legs too (see shot #4), but Mariah says my fin feet cancel them out!

I’m so in love with the Ocean, I dream waves, and not even a shark bite could keep me out of the water yesterday at the Poles. The Ocean has healed me and filled a void I didn’t know I had in my life. She showed me that people can change, and washed away my fear and anger, so she could replace them with Love and Joy. I owe the ocean my life, but I owe you for the introduction.

I say it a lot, but I always mean it, thank you so much for your time and for making these wonderful surfcraft. Keep Spreading the Stoke!


Super Stoked,

Rob

PS   Mariah loves her new lens!

From Bretto

 

Hi Paul,

The first few days of our trip were a bit too solid for matting, but yesterday and today I got a go out at this new spot I found which is just awesome for mat riding. The Standard went really good and absolutely sizzled.

I'll try and get some more pictures for you, but it's a bit harder as we only have phones at this time.

This is the spot. There's a right and left...

No Sunday Fun Day Pics From Rob This Week ...

Paul,

I'm still going out today but Mariah has too much school work to come with us, so I won't have pics this time. Just wanted to let you know since last night I was talking about pictures! I'm off to spread the Stoke!

Super Stoked,

Rob

From John ...

You know you're getting old when an inflatable box of popcorn starts to look better to you than an attractive young woman.