Mikey Live

 

For a Hi Def edit go here...

Video by @_philalbritton

From Mikey

 

Jose Martinez Update

 

 

 

Jose came up big in the finals!  Best ride at 6:40 and post heat interview at 7:00.

While it's too soon to make any comparisons between Jose/PG Designs and Verstappen/Red Bull, so far we're unbeaten!

Jose Martinez

 

Jose is an adaptive surfer, with no legs and one arm.  We built him a hull recently and he likes it!

Here's some more footage of him in a pro contest from this week. He's on his orange hull at 3:03 and 3:18, and an interview at 3:27.

From Cher

 

Hello Paul,

We hope that our email finds you and Gloria doing well. Steve and I think of you often.

This week has been big, dynamic windswell and Steve has dawn patrolled 5 mornings in a row! The swells have been 4-7 feet in size, thick, hucking, bowling take-offs. I’ve seen Steve being launched off thick lips and making the drops, burying his right front corner (rail), to pull up into the pockets! Racing sections and pulling lines, living up to my nickname for him “Mat Masterson!”

Our young gun ripper surfers are cheering Steve on and exclaiming about his takeoffs, barrels and speed. With me just riding “Princess Waves” head high and under now, Steve is surfing for both of us on the bigger, dynamic days, and I’m stoked to feel the energy.

His speed, pocket riding and cutbacks are smooth, powerful and inspiring. I told him that he has beautiful style on the mat. He replied: “How does someone have good style on a mat? I replied,”You do! You have the a similar flow with power, speed and maneuvers that you do when surfing your boards!”

Paul, thank you for all of the joy that you being us with your wonderful, inspiring 4GF crafts!

Love and Aloha,

Cher and Steve

From Steiny

 

From Ben

 

Photos: Jesse Coker

From Joe

 

Hey Paul,

Hope you're doing well over there. It's a wild world all the time, but it sure is a weird one at the minute. 

The difference between my old omni and the lotus is unbelievable. Thanks for the advice and the recommendations.

The lotus holds, the lotus fits, the lotus' flywheel winds up faster and releases with greater torque. It seems happier sitting and holding higher up the face of the wave, its banking turns are incomparable. In saying all this I finished repairing my omni and am really excited to get back on it. 

I'm pretty lithe and light, so the lotus sizing feels better, less space to get the arms up on the mat which has in turn resulted in some very positive right arm/both arms back discipline.

We've had some very good and unseasonale swell over summer here and I've been out at least thrice a week. Most of my surfboards are looking at me quite forlornly as I pass them in the garage...

I've attached a few media moments of joy below for your / but also my/ pleasure.

All the best,

joe

From Bryan

 

 

Hi Paul,

I had a great time on my fatty in hard offshores today. I was a little worried about my mat getting blown to Hawaii but thankfully I maintained a firm grip throughout the session. I attached a clip of my best wave of the day. I was right on the edge of holding the rail and sliding out for this whole wave and it felt great.

Bryan

From Aaron

 

In these clips from Andrew, I was running high inflation on my 4gf Standard because of the south wind chop. High inflation let me hold an edge for the brief moments of water contact.

Waves here have been very soft and hard to catch this year. Most days, I've been running inflation extra low, to the point where the mat can be folded into 3...

San Diego Loaner Mats

 

Travel Safety...

 

The Pro Lite travel bag crew has developed an inflatable liner for travel bags...to protect surfboards in transit. Of course, you could just save the hassle and take deflated inflatables rolled up in a suitcase and surf them...

From Steiny

 

                                                  Sarah and her Omni. More about Sarah here!

                                                                    Photo: Alex Vierra

From David

 

Hi Paul, 

I just wanted to say Happy new year and glad to see you are actively riding and testing mats.  All the mats you've made me are still in good condition and riding well over the years.  I had a fun session over the summer at a right hander and my 11 year old son Luke actually took a couple of photos.  

 

Wishing you good health and plenty of waves this year.  

 

Thanks for the fun sliding vehicles you create.

David

Brave New World

 

From Kelly

 

From Richard

 

Hi Paul,  I hope this note finds you well. 

Here’s a few pics from last fall at my home break in Beach Haven.  I’m still riding one of the two standards in my quiver as my go to surf craft. 

It was a surprise to see another matter from my area writing in about fins, especially since he’s on Bob Evans’ force fins.  I went to them a few years ago after tearing both my Achilles tendons over a period of two years.  I’m hoping to have a look at the yuccas.  The FFs just don’t do it for me when it comes to using them as a rudder. 

If you don’t mind passing my email on to Dave from Philly, I’d be interested in talking to another local mat rider.  I live in suburban Philadelphia

Rich

PS.  My son moved to Santa Barbara from Oxnard recently.  He mostly surfs Oxnard still but next time I’m out there I hope to find a good mat spot near his house as I’m usually on bicycle when I’m there.

From Mikey at SurfnSkateHoarder

 

                                                                       Pic by Phil Britton

Good start to new year!! #lowerpowered flick @_philalbritton

The mat crew has been growing down here .. I had few old buddies buy some of your mats for xmas.

A quick funny story me my best bud, Daniel, Captain Dave , my other buddy Alex and a gentleman that I didn’t know we’re all on mats. 

It was kind of big and there was a kid on a short board just floating next to us not even trying to Surf. He literally paddled out and was floating and out of nowhere, this lifeguard into JetSki comes rolling up sees all of us on the mats and looks at the kid and goes. Hey kid didn’t you get the memo mats only? Out of the water. 

He was totally joking and picking on the kid, and we all laughed and the kid was like really? And we’re all no dude you can hang out. It’s not a big deal we’re just kidding. It was super funny though. The lifeguard recognized me and my other buddy from the swim zone, so we just came up and thought I’d be funny. Anyway, have a nice day brother.

From Andrew

 

Hey Paul, 

Wishing you a happy New Year. Just wanted to share a photo of one of my best friends. Ken, who’s currently in South Africa, has been enjoying two different oceans with a standard you’ve made for me years back. He’s a skilled body surfer and it makes me smile that he chose to ride your mat while currently overseas. 

Cheers!

Andrew P

Product Of The Year, 2023 !!!

 

Developed by our own Mister Dirk, these special 4GF-tinted lenses let you see the surf through 'mat goggles.' Just slip them on your dome, and turn your local beach break junk into a free trip to Indo!