Bothwick
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Here's a new mat for fringe surfing obsessive, Pete Waspe.
Pete has really into mats over the last couple off years or so, having got himself a G-Mat RFT from Stevo at Temple of Fringe Surfshop in Newquay. He has been subscribed on the mailer for a while and got in on the current run, wanting to expand the quiver and get something to help take his mat surfing forward.
Pete lives in Newquay having moved there earlier this year, and primarily surfs beach breaks so we wanted something that would be fairly stable to support that quick turn-and-go, and also give good hold to stay high get down the line on waves that can often be quite short. With all this in mind, we opted for a Chino Racer with a 200/70 deck. This configuration works well as a good all-round mat with predictable characteristics that can be helpful when surfing in changeable and random conditions. As is usually the way with this model, we have built this mat as a wheezer to add to the stability and free elastic rocker to get the balance between manoeuvrability and speed in a straight line.
Here's what Pete had to say:
“Obviously I’ve just gone with your mat recommendation for the beaches I normally surf.
History… I bought a G Mat RFT back in 2023, my first exploration into surfmats. Admittedly, I didn’t get along with it at first, but then living miles from the coast didn’t help. Then, I caught a wave, everything went right, and the true addiction started! The feeling, I still can’t describe it, but that was it, nothing comes close for me, than riding a mat, it’s almost a spiritual experience! I promised myself, should I ever move to the coast, then I could justify a custom Mat.
Roll on to 2026 and we moved, to the North Cornwall Coast, the same week we moved in, I received the email for the custom mat orders, fate had stepped in. Lucky for me I got on the list.
This mat is named “Bothwick”, this is the original name for my local beach. I’m honoured to surf this spot, (also known as The Slope) its history is now entwined with me, and surfing on a mat at such a legendary spot adds a sweeter note to it. I just hope I can do the Mat justice.”
Bothwick is heading down to Pete as I type and there is a bit of swell around of late so I'm hoping Pete can't get straight into some waves.
Have fun Pete!
Cheers
G
