The Cormorant

Here's a mat for Gus McDiarmid squeezed in on the end of this run to replace a mat that a clumsy log rider ploughed through and destroyed for him. This seems to be a frequent occurrence in the zoo that is Noosa.

So thid mat... "The Cormorant" , as she has been named by Gus, is a 70/70 RB-JMC Super-Free-Breather built with negative rocker to replace his previous mat, "Last Light" (RIP quite literally). Gus was pretty clear that he wanted the same mat, same materials and same ride so here we are. We've changed up the color scheme a touch though. You know me and my monochrome fetish so I'm into this mat.

Gus said:

“The Cormorant

Influenced by the natural phenomena of countershading.

“Countershading is a common form of camouflage where an animal is darkly pigmented on its upper (dorsal) surface and light on its lower (ventral) surface. By counteracting natural lighting, this pattern conceals self-shadows, making three-dimensional animals appear flat and blending them into their surroundings.”

I figure this is the perfect camouflage for a matter! Sneaking up on unsuspecting prey before catching the waves! Also it’s pretty in tune with Ben Z and I motto when we Mat. “Show No Mercy!” in a hardcore scream followed by lots of giggles!

Thanks G!”

— Quote Source

Lovely stuff. Have fun Gus! We all really enjoyed your recent video.

Now onto building another replacement mat for another Aussie mat surfer, then on to the next run. What is going on down there!?

Cheers

G

Maddog Mat

Here's mat is heading to surf photographer and fringe surfcraft rider, Mattson Culbert.

Mattson lives in San Diego, CA where he rides many types of wave riding vehicles from handplanes, paipo and bodyboards to surfmats.

Mattson said:

Mattson spends most of his time now at the beach breaks, reefs, and one special point break in and around Pacific Beach and La Jolla now.

“My first introduction to surf mats started in the mid 1980s on the old yellow and blue Surf Rider mats at my grandparents beach house in Cayucos, CA as a kid. In 2014 after I moved from my beloved point breaks of Santa Barbara to San Diego I also started riding Jon Wegener’s wooden paipo and that lead me back to other fringe craft. During the lockdown of 2020 I got a new surfmat and a rekindled love of gliding on waves.”

— Mattson Culbert

He chose the name of the “Maddog Mat” for this minty fresh mat after his old nickname while working at CI Surfboards from 2007-2014 before moving to San Diego.

Mattson was pretty clear on wanting an RB-JMC. We tossed around a few ideas but the balls out down the line speed of a 70/70 neg rockered free-breather RB-JMC was what grabbed his attention. So when you see this plus size core lord flying past you on the high line in San Diego, know it’s because of the extra gear in his G-Mat!

Have fun Mattson and keep it minty my brother!

Cheers

G

Bryndarella

Housewarming gift for my good friend Bryn Dampney of Kovert Kneeboards.

Bryn has recently moved into the same town as me and, as he'd kidnapped my Chino Racer named Chino Albino, the choice of housewarming present was easy!

I took the liberty of naming this mat for Bryn... Say hello to Bryndarella

As I say, Bryn had been riding the Chino Racer for a while and fed back that he really enjoys the sense of confidence that the extra hold gives, particularly when negotiating sections. A key feature of the Chino Racer is that it does kinda go where you put it. With that in mind, Bryndarella is built to the same specification as Chino Albino: 70d deck and bottom, restricted air flow and free (flat) elastic rocker. Bryn was also a fan of the simple bung style valve so I have fitted one in Bryndarella.

I'm stoked to build this mat for Bryn. He's the absolute definition of a true waterman and is a really good mat rider and solid fixture in the core mat crew I get out in the water with.

Have fun amigo!

Cheers

G

PS Stay tuned for exciting developments with this design.

Chango

Say hello to Chango, a G-Mat RB-JMC built for Californian surfboard builder, Tommy Kroll. Tommy is a Super talented craftsman who builds surfboards under the Specialist Surfboards label.

Tommy is also an experienced mat surfer so had a pretty clear sense of what he wanted from the mat.

We explorered the options and Tommy was keen to have something that would handle every day waves, including beach breaks and choppy conditions. We eventually settled on a RB-JMC, built with free elastic rocker for versatility and also restricted the internal venting as wheezers will keep their shape better in bumps.

We also have plenty of deck grip to stay on, but also helps to stabilise the deck a bit whilst retaining the 70/70 qualities, particularly in the rails. All in all... I'm excited to hear how Tommy finds this mat. I have high hopes.

So what about the name? Tommy says:

“It’s an ongoing family nickname, means little monkey in Spanish but can refer to a mischievous little kid haha. It was my uncles nickname before me and he started a balance board/ surf training company in the 90s called Chango Balance.”

— Tommy Kroll

What a great name! I'm honoured that it has been given to this surfmat!

Tommy has also gone for a mat bag (a great way to use offcuts) and a G-Mat Apparel Tee. Thanks for representing!

So, Chango is setting sail. Have fun Changos!

Cheers

G

Nautilus

This is "Nautilus", a G-Mat RB-JMC built for Californian mat surfer, Scott Kennedy.

Scott has been a mat rider for some time and surfs around Santa Cruz. For those unaware, SC is an area with a rich heritage when it comes to mat surfing, and some solid points producing some very skilled riders.

Scott came ready prepared with a mat in mind, the grip pattern and even the name. Bosh! Unsurprisingly, with Scott's experience and where Scott surfshe went for a RB-JMC super-free-breather with negative elastic rocker. He also went with full grip panels to ensure that he stays put on the mat.

And so Nautilus set off last week and is with Scott as I type. I'm looking forward to ride reports and maybe do photos or footage (hint hint).

Have a blast Scott!

Cheers

G

Speed Thrills!

A quick in-between-builds mat for Derek Hynd.

Derek has become fully absorbed in mat surfing over the last couple of years or so. We'd spoken a few times over the years and he always expressed respect and appreciation for the craft and people who surf them. One day when I asked the question (not for the first time) "is it time to get you on a mat?" he replied with a yes!

A obvious step really for the master of free friction surfing when you think about it.

After a couple of RB-JMC's, I built Derek a Nouveau Racer (named Evil Twin M) for some of the heavier and hollower waves around Byron. He came back to me saying he loved the more structured feel of the 4 pontoon mat, but obviously being a gunnie surfmat, the Nouveau Racer misses the bottom end of other models. With that in mind I suggested a 70/70 Chino Racer would be a great all-rounder to compliment 'ETM' and we agreed to do it at some point.

And then tragedy...

Some clumsy f*ck ploughed a surfboard fin through Evil Twin F, Derek's RB-JMC, and his Chino Racer suddenly became more of a priority.

Rest in peace ETF - Taken too soon

I had a stack of builds locked in so it was a case of wait until the end or find a day and thanks to the wettest February in recorded UK history and me still coming back from the 'mega-cold', I found that day so here we are.

This Chino Racer is built with free elastic rocker and is a wheezer, to soak up the chop on windy days. Derek wanted to lock in the number 369 and has named her "Speed Thrills", saying the name is:

"... in tribute to my mentor Terry Fitzgerald - his Bells 1981 board was called this. Woo Hoo! "

So Speed Thrills is on the way Down Under. They've had it tough around Byron wave wise apparently but the season is getting going so hopefully will timed.

Have fun Derek!

Cheers

G

NB. locking in numbers usually involves waiting for the number to come up but emergency as we said.

Take Away

Here is a mat for my friend Rachel named “Take Away”, built in fits and starts during my down time. We started on Take Away in September last year!

Rachel has been surfing a mat for years now, originally getting into them surfing spots around her beloved South Devon in the UK. Rachel and her family have been living in Oz for some years now, but she periodically comes home to visit, and that’s what led to the creation of Take Away.

Rachel was involved in the Phileas Project (Phileas was a white mat I built which was sent around the world for people to surf and add their artwork too), surfing in an episode with me when Phileas came home for some TLC, and also in an Australian ep. This planted the seed for Take Away: a white mat that many people build into a work of art. In this case, Rachel’s friends and family in South Devon have drawn her a takeaway meal of all the things she loves about South Devon for her to take wherever she goes.

As you can see in the photos, the art piece is well underway and Take Away is heading to Oz. Rachel has a plan to add to this over time, including coming back to the UK to get more added by friends over here. I've left the centre pontoon clear to give more canvas. I’m really excited to see how Take Away turns out in the end.

Perhaps there will never be an end point…

On the tech side, Take Away is a 70/70 G-Mat Ute wheezer with free elastic rocker. Rachel wanted a mat for all days so this was a good choice. I’m super-stoked to finally get Rachel on a mat that properly fits her as her previous options were that little bit too big or little bit too small.

Have fun Rachel and keep us updated!

Cheers

G

Osprey

This was the last custom mat build of 2025. A 70/70 G-Mat RB-JMC for Rincon local, Matt Simon.

Matt is one of a solid crew of mat riders from around the Santa Barbara area. He has been riding mats for many years and has had a mat from me some time back, an RB-JMC named Dragonfly that he had built after the long-term loan of a mat named the Rincon Rental Raft that I bult for Andrew Buck years ago.

Matt got in on this run and an had a clear idea what he wanted... Exactly the same! Well, not exaclty. He wanted a copy of Dragonfly, but with a bungee to give the pool option, but more importantly, to surf a certain high tide spot where losing the mat would mean, well, losing the mat! And so "Osprey" was born.

Osprey is a 70/70 RB-JMC as mentioned. She has a negative elastic rocker and is built with super-free-breather venting to maximise glide and speed. Matt has gone for a Hestered (positioned below the seam) mini-Boston valve and a clean white logo on the middle pontoon.

Have fun Matt. Always a pleasure!

Cheers

G

Toblerone

Here's a Christmas mat for Kiwi Surfmat wizard James Tanner in December, 2025.

As I'm sure people have noticed, JT is something of a standout when it comes to riding mats, with his active rail to rail approach. Also popping off the mat for a quick body surf at times before jumping back on. If you haven't seen that, check the G-Mat YouTube channel.

I've been lucky enough to build a few mats for James over the years, and his feedback is always really helpful. It dawned on me that I haven't built him any 4 pontoon models and I reckon he'd dig the hold in the rail from the Chino Racer so here we are.. . A mat that James has christened "Toblerone" because the Swiss tend to keep inflation low.

Lovely pun.

Toblerone has been built as a 70/70 wheezer, so opening up the bottom end in terms of glide but holding shape more, with restricted air flow. We have also gone with free rocker to get the balance between down the line speed and responsive turning (perhaps a nod to that famous Swiss neutrality... Hello... Is this on?)

I'm taking a punt on pre-Christmas shipping. To be honest, I'm mostly hearing people around JT's neck of the woods grumbling about terrible waves right no so probably not a huge rush, but

Anyway, Godspeed Toblerone.

Have fun James!

Cheers

G

Shell Yes!

Here's a mat heading to the US Virgin Islands for Mariah Ernst.

Mariah is a mat surfer of long standing who knows how to ride a mat well. She is on the team at Emocean Magazine and has a close effinity with the ocean and natural world, so no surprises then that Mariah rides a mat!

Having recently hung out with Andrew Andrew Stephen Buck talking mats, Mariah was pretty clear that she wanted an RB-JMC super-free-breather with negative elastic rocker and, a particular Buck influence, an animal theme. As Mariah has always had a fantasy of skimming across a wave face on a giant clam shell her choice was simple and "Shell Yes!" was born!

Shell Yes! is a nice addition to the quiver for Mariah. Over the years she has had a Nouveau Racer and a free (flat) rockered RB-JMC that has more restricted venting so Shell Yes! will give a very different ride to both. Very technical and very fast. Perfect addition. Shell Yes! also has one of the new low profile spring valves so I'm excited to hear how Mariah finds it.

So, shell yes will be heading over to the US Virgin Islands and I can't wait to hear and see how she goes.

Have fun Mariah.

Cheers

G

PS Mariah also recently picked up a G-Mat Mini from my partner Tom Jennings She says you should definitely get one too.

RV Krystal Voyager

Here we have a mat for Hamish Kent @clevestone Hamish is a Byron surfer with a deep interest in riding and creating surf craft. I always enjoy building mats for people who are interested in how what they ride and how it works. Hamish is certainly in that group and we had a few calls to get things right.

Hamish has gone for an RB-JMC, as his current go to is a G-Mat RFT. He was keen to get something a little wider with a different feel. This mat and Hamish's RFT are both 70/70 (70 denier nylon deck and bottom) and as Hamish likes to make lots of turns, we settled on a free elastic rocker (flat but flexible) rather than the usual negative rocker used with this design. The other key difference (apart fron the shape) it the venting. The RFT is a restricted breather (wheezer) where as this mat is a free-breather with extreme venting (what I call a super-Free-breather). Fast, sensitive, malleable and inclined to carve through turns. Nice... Oh and we have dyed her with scarlet acid dye. Hamish was after hi vis but not garish and I think this fits the bill nicely.

I asked Hamish about his journey into mats. He said:

“As a bit of a nerd, and a hard core surf and surf history nerd, I have always sought to have a variety of experiences on as many and as varied craft as possible. Not infrequently, I will ride as many different wave riding vehicles as possible in a single session.

I first started dabbling in mat riding around 2013 or 2014. I had watched Crystal Voyager a number of times, and was excited by the challenge of something new.

Some friends had started riding mats, and I saw them having fun, and thought I’d better see what I was missing out on.

I bought the most accessible mat that was on some kind of sale at the time, and started trying to ride it. After 20 or so years of regular brine time, this allowed me to reach a new level of humility and humiliation in the line up- there’s really nothing like sliding out and missing a section on a perfect wave, that you know you could make on almost any other craft you own. It was a strange combination of devastating and wonderful. Some brief low friction, high speed moments punctuated by moments of complete helplessness, getting flogged in the impact zone trying to hold onto a wet plastic bag cross to a balloon, and I was kinda hooked, like a beaten lover in a bad relationship. Clearly I had room for development.

Rather than slash a hole in my wave riding vehicle so that no-one else reach the subterranean depths of ego that I had been able to experience mat riding already, I decided to limit the humiliation to once a week. Once a week the morning session had become a prone zone with bodysurfing being the prone activity of choice. I added in mat riding as another horizontal humility building pursuit.

Fast forward to a trip to NZ; I wanted to take a quiver, but didn’t want to carry a quiver. I took a board, and a mat, and enjoyed a few lonely sessions with seals, started to get the hang of things, and with only seals to laugh at me, I was able to learn a few skills from them; they learnt nothing from me. I rode the mat most days for about 10 days. I improved slightly, but only slightly.

I continued to ride my mat intermittently, with another breakthrough coming on a 70km coastal hike where I decided that the mat was to be my only surf vehicle.

The last few years we have had some excellent mat riding conditions in the areas I frequent, and I have found myself using a mat more and more, and hoping for good conditions to ride the mat. It’s become the vehicle I am often most excited about riding. I’m enjoying the constant learning, the dynamic approaches to wave riding that are afforded a the mat, and the child like glee that comes from riding a wave with your mates new and old. ”

— Hamish Kent

Lovely stuff and a testament to the words of Greenough to ride your mat and nothing else for at least 10 sessions straight when you first start out! Speaking of George, his influence on Hamish is clear with the name of this mat... "RV Krystal Voyager".

At the time of writing I'm waiting for Hamish's hoodie to arrive (Lilo Life print by Ry Akins @ry_akins) and then RV Krystal Voyager will head south.

Have fun Hamish. It's been a pleasure mate.

Cheers

G

Joni

Say hello to Joni, a G-Mat RB-JMC built for Aussie mat surfer Madi Farrelly.

Madi has been riding mats for a while now and is a very accomplished surfer. Madi is mates with our Antipodean RFT Series stockist Johanna Brebner (to be fair, Jo seems to be mates with everyone) and chatted to her about what to get.

Of course, Brebsy recommend a 70/70 RB-JMC super-free-breather with negative rocker. Fast and lots of glide... Perfect fit for Madi's style. Madi also had colours in mind. After a bit of acid dye fiddling (the colour on the pot and what comes out aren't always the same) we have a kind of mint bottom with teal deck.

The mint was meant to be more like the teal, but was so nice that the combo was a must! I have pigmented the grip too, to match the bottom a touch, and it's really made the logo pop. All in all, Madi is happy and so am I. Madi has also gone with a bung style valve to keep things simple.

Here's what Madi had to say:

“I named her Joni, after Joni Mitchell and her album Blue. The mat itself isn’t strictly blue, it’s a blend of teal and sea-glass, like the ocean under changing light. But this colour has been following me like a ghost lately. I see it everywhere, and I find myself drawn towards it, in the ocean, in the clothes I reach for without thinking, even in the music that drifts into my days. Maybe it’s just a colour, but it lingers, and feels strangely familiar …”

— Madi Farrelly

Lovely stuff! I'm really looking forward to hearing how Madi finds the ride with Joni. I really enjoy building mats for skilled matsurfers as the feedback is priceless.

It's been a fun build this. Have fun Madi!

Cheers

G

The White Tiger

Here's a new ride for Aussie mat surfer Gavin Knowles. Gav lives in Byron Bay and has been riding mats for some time. He has an RFT and got in on this run of customs. We spent a bit of time thinking about options, before settling on a 70/70 RB-JMC.

Gav was keen to make this an all-rounder and opted for free-elastic rocker. As he has been surfing wheezers, we have loosened it up with less restricted air flow. The other thing Gav wanted was to leave the middle pontoon free of grip. I literally wrote "leave the middle!" on the tube of sealant and STILL started to mask up a middle panel. Thankfully my reminder worked!!!

Gav shared a few words:

“Simplistic-Technical, subtly nursing your ride with that grin from ear to ear is why we all mat ride . We have come along way from the old canvas that stripped off your titties and thanks to G and the builders before him we are all blessed to have such beautifully built airbags under our bellies .

With a stroke of luck I got on the short list and here we are the Rb-Jmc built for the east coast point breaks here in Aus!

It has been a seamless process getting this done and I can’t wait to meet the dolphin line on my new ride . Thanks for all your knowledge and input G .. Mahalo!!”

— Gavin Knowles

Thanks Gav!

Gav has named his mat" The White Tiger". Crazily, when he WhatsApped that to me, Becky and I were watching Daredevil Reborn and there was a guy called the White Tiger on the screen as I read Gav's text! Coincidence?... Yes... Still freaky though!

Anyway, the white tiger is being picked up today by the courier. Have fun Gav!

Cheers

G

Last Light

This is Last Light. A G-Mat RB-JMC built for master potter, Gus McDiarmid https://panpottery.com/

This is the second mat built for Gus and is very similar. The key difference is slightly increased venting. Gus rides some fast waves and being able to get on a high line and down the line quickly is a real help.

Gus rides mats well (see my recent post of a shot of Gus by Nashy Surf Photos @nashysphotos), and this construction and venting hands much more fine tuned control to the rider.

Last Light has a negative elastic rocker and Hestered mini-Boston valve.

So, Last Light is heading off to Oz to hit some left hand points.

Have fun Gus!

Cheers

G

Chino Albino

This is the other mat built for myself on my week off. A 70/70 Chino Racer named Chino Albino.

I love the Chino Racer. A definite all-rounder with a little more hold than the RB-JMC and a touch more drift through turns than the Ute. All in all, a nice addition to the quiver to sit between my Nouveau Racer, "Dusty" and my RB-JMC, "Snowflake" .

The eagle eyed will notice the valve. I used these on a few mats years ago and they worked well. My good friend Alex of Eyebeam Surfmats has been using them and I thought I'd give them a go as a couple of people have asked for bung type valves. Personally, I love the mini Boston valve but I aim to please. I want to get a fresh feel for these valves though, having not used them for over 10 years.

Anyway, as mentioned, Chino Albino is a 70/70 Chino Racer. She is a wheezer to help keep her shape and has free elastic rocker. I aim to use her for steeper, small to medium sized waves.

I'm hoping for a session or 2 on Chino Albino over the next couple of days. I'm assuming the valve is a goer and will be an option for people on custom mats moving forward.

Cheers

G

Snowflake

Another rainy-day project and the next addition to my monochrome quiver is a 70/70 RB-JMC named "Snowflake".

Showflake is a super-free-breather with negative elastic rocker. I have gone fairly light with the grip as top-ups take about the same time as re-waxing a board, so no bother, and the increased maleability is worth it.

There's not much more to say other than she's the perfect quiver mate for my new Nouveau Racer named Dusty, my 5 Star General and my BodyBag mini-mat. I have a couple more in mind and have a week off with strong winds and rain in the mix so might get something done.

I've just finished a mat for that I'll put up in a couple of days. Colin shares my love of the low-key. It looks slick...

Anyway, cowabunga and all that!

Cheers

G

Blue Lotus

Mat 2 of 2 for Matty Snelling.

When Matty got in on the current run, he hit go on two mats. The first was a 200/70 5 Star General (basically a RFT) to cover all bases. This second mat is a custom RB-JMC named "Blue Lotus".

Blue Lotus is a 70/70 super-free-breather with negative elastic rocker. Very fast mat. Matt is a very talented surfer and has been riding a mat for a while and has recently been riding them exclusively. He has pretty much all conditions covered with this quiver.

I asked Matty about the name and he said:

“It was a name my very good friend gave me a while ago and she is a wonderful woman. Got a lot of time for her.”

— Matty Snelling

I'm hoping to hand deliver over the weekend and share some waves (we did hook up and shared a few fun ones!)

Matty has a trip to surf Peruvian points later in the year and Blue Lotus is going to love them!

Have fun Matty!

Cheers

G

Lilo Trip

So then here's the last mat in the current run, a G-Mat RB-JMC built for the very talented Ryan Akins. Ry is currently riding a prototype super-free-breather RB-JMC I lent him. His new mat, named "Lilo Trip", is the permanent fixture for that slot in Ryan's quiver.

For those who know Ry, he is a super talented artist with a very individual style. In particular, he has documented his Surfmat journey through his creations, including contributing a piece named Lilo Life which is available as a tee and hoodie in the G-Mat Apparel clothing range and shifted a lot of tees when it dropped and remains a favourite:

https://gmatsurfmats.teemill.com/product/lilo-life/

I asked Ryan about his matsurfing and art and he said:

““My first encounter with surf mats was when I was living in Byron Bay 13 years ago and I was out longboarding the pass when I noticed somebody surfing a mat. My first thought was… yeh that’s rad and looks fun and that was about that.

Fast forward in time and I was having a coffee with my friend Huw Beynon at his house and he was really keen to show me his G-Mats. Straight away I was super stoked on them! and as I left his house I couldn’t stop thinking about mats for day’s.

Ever since that day surf mats have been my main craft in my quiver and I just can’t stop surfing them!

I’ve been recently surfing a RB-JMC Super-Free-Breather and man it’s like going into another dimension! The feeling is unreal.

Mat surfing is an extension to my art, a vessel. The feeling, the speed, the style. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in the water.

Mat surfing is art.

.RY.””

— Ryan Akins

Nicely put man!

As you can see, Lilo Trip is acid dyed in teal and features pink logo and trademark zig zags. Other than that, she matches the mat Ry has been riding. We're planning a surf together to hand over Lilo Trip. I'm always stoked to be there for someone's first ride on a mat I've built them.

The other thing I'm excited about is that Ry has given me another piece to add to the G-Mat Apparel range! The design is also called Lilo Trip is available in my clothing store now:

https://gmatsurfmats.teemill.com/product/lilo-trip-white-print/

This is available in black or white prints and mens and women’s tees as well as unisex hoodies.

Stoked to have built this for you Ry. Have fun mate.

Cheers

G

Horsemouth

Say hello to Horsemouth, a 70/70 RB-JMC built for the super talented Bryce Young.

Bryce doesn't need much introduction but for those who don't know him, he is the son of Nat Young and brother of Beau. Bryce comes from an impressive surfing heritage and is an incredible surfer.

If people haven't yet seen the Need Essentials film Following The Fall line, then I insist you do! You will see why I was so excited to build a mat for Bryce. The whole thing is mind-blowing, but for me, the section where Bryce is riding his Alaia is the best example of this kind of wave riding I have ever seen. I mean by a long way. This kind of inate talent leaves us normies in a state of confused awe!

So as I say... I was very excited when Bryce hit me up for a mat.

We had a chat and Bryce has been riding a mat that his dad picked up from George Greenough. We were left with a dilemma around the basic model and materials. On the one hand, these Aquaman types just jump on anything and surf it like they've been doing it for years. On the other, we didn't want to build something that felt 'too' different. I hit up George to get some info on the mat that Bryce had been riding and then after some umming and ahing we hit the spot (I hope) with a 70/70 RB-JMC Super-Free-Breather with negative elastic rocker, scaled to Bryce's height and body dimensions but with a nod to his current mat.

Horsemouth will be a big change but I'm hopeful will fit like a glove. Just a different glove.

Onto the aesthetics, Horsemouth (named after reggae legend Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace) has been dyed with a spruce green acid dye. The process has created subtle aqua and blue streaks across the beam of the mat that look lovely (if I say so myself!). Then we have gone with a green, yellow and red fade logo on the deck. It kinda looks like an apple... Yum yum!

I'm super excited to get Horsemouth and Bryce hooked up. We're just trying to figure where the mat is headed as he is super mobile currently. Oh and Bryce has just had a birthday so the perfect time for a new mat!

It's been a pleasure Bryce! Have fun mate.

Cheers

G

Stinga

Been a little while but Ive been busy with a couple of prototype ideas, a couple of BodyBags and a wee trip away, but I have been cracking on with a couple of custom orders too.

Say hello to "Stinga," a G-Mat Ute lovingly hand crafted for Aussie mat surfer Dany Gruosso. Dany has been riding mats consistently for a while now and has well and truely got the bug. Dany says:

“Riding a surf mat is pure joy, and it’s the camaraderie within our unique brotherhood and sisterhood that makes it even better. I was introduced to mat riding by a local surf legend who turned to mats after being unable to surf on a board anymore. It took me a week or two to get the hang of steering the mat, but once I did, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve never stopped grinning on every wave I catch.

There’s something magical about mat riding—the speed, the connection with the energy of the wave, and the fact that no wave is too small to enjoy. The crew I ride with are all about those early sessions, hitting the water 20-30 minutes before first light. It forces you to tune into your other senses, creating an almost otherworldly experience on some mornings. Mat riding isn’t just about the waves; it’s about the stoke that comes from embracing every moment in the water with like-minded mates.”

— Dany Gruosso

That's a pretty perfect description and sounds like Dany and I favour the same super early sessions. Best part of the day.

So on to Stinga, she's a Ute as mentioned. We went back and forth on models before settling on the Ute. Dany opted for a wheezer to help stabilize the 70d deck. He's also gone for a free elastic rocker to make things super versatile. Stinga really is a perfect all-round lightweight mat.

As you might have noticed, there is a slight bleed on the G logo. AAAAAAARGH! I spoke to Dany about options and neither of us were keen on ditching the skin. I'd have used it somehow but its important to me to be as efficient as I can with these materials. We settled on a free tee. My wife Becky called the blem a birth mark which is a nice touch.

So Stinga is headed down-under and I'm excited ti hear how Dany finds her.

Have fun Dany.

Cheers

G