Fun Sessions with Bryn and Tim

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I had a really good time with with Tim Ciasto and Bryn Dampney on the South Coast of Cornwall near the Devon border. Tim had his camera. Saturday was a session with just me in the water (and a crowd of about 5895)  on my Chino Racer. It had a little grunt (although I was pretty over-gunned). It was also super busy and hugely frustrating. Still, I managed to snag a few away from the pack on my favourite left which was bumpy but fun.

On Sunday, Bryn joined me on the same reef. The waves were really nice early doors and beautifully quiet when we arrived. 

The waves dropped a bit in quality as the tide pushed and Tim turned up with his camera so he definitely missed the best of it but I'm still pretty pleased with what he got. ☺️

It was nice getting the Bodybag out for a couple at the end, although Bodysurfing is probably best done before, not after a 2 1/2 hour session!  

All good fun. Tim has been sniffing around Cornwall of late and will be back. It would be good to get a few more mat riders together for his return.

Cheers

G

Kessel Run - Something for the Govnah!

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Here's a new mat for Bryn Dampney, Editor of the UK Mat Surfers site. She's a 70/70 Ubercat built with a certain wedgy South Devon spot in mind. 

Bryn is something special at finding barrels and wanted something that would hold well but also have a tight turning circle to get back in the pocket without hacking speed. Given thatthat,  his new mat "Kessel Run" has an elastic rocker which will be a new experience for Bryn but hopefully a good one. 

Given the construction and the planned use, we figured that Kessel Run could do with having a little stability up top. Bryn is a fan of 70/70 mats so we went with Sikaflex EBT to add a little more structure through the middle, without effecting the pliability in the rails. 

Bryn Squeezing into a wee one in SE Cornwall 

Bryn Squeezing into a wee one in SE Cornwall 

I'm looking forward to seeing Bryn out on this mat. One great thing about building mats for people locally is that I get to have a go on them myself too!

Can't wait! 😆

Cheers  

G  

G-Mat 88 (AKA "Eye Beam")

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Well kids, it's been a long time since I've built one of these.  This is "Eye Beam", a 70/70 Flying Carpet built for UK Mat Surfers web guru, Bryn Dampney.

Bryn has a bit of a fetish for black and orange which we first saw when he had his first G-Mat, Bombina.  With that in mind, Bryn has gone for pigmented grip on Eye Beam's outer pontoons. I've used Sikaflex 11FC+ so nice and pliable with grit added to help out with the durability and traction when worn down. I've also left plenty of the deck uncovered as Bryn has fine tunes, water chess in mind for this mat.

Bryn made the decision to go for a Flying Carpet with summer in mind. Of course, sod's law means that this El Nino summer seems to be sending us some munting swells (not that we're moaning) but there are still plenty of small shapely days and no shortage of wind slop, so I'm sure Bryn will find something to get Eye Beam going in.

Slippy-slidiness doesn't mean this gal will shy away from a little more anyhoo.

Can't wait to see how she goes. 

Can't wait to have a go myself!

Cheers

G

Surfmat Art

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Very, VERY happy to be showing off this fantastic bit of art from Bryn Dampney. Bryn is the man behind the new banner over at UK Mat Surfers and recently picked up a G-Mat named Bombina.

Artwork by Bryn Dampney

I'll be getting this little thing made into a banner ready for the up coming Slyder Cup at Porthtowan. If anyone would like a print or some such then let me know. Profits to the Dampney foundation for beer.

Thanks Bryn

G

Bombina

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Here's the latest out of the workshop, a G-Mat Ute named "Bombina". She has been built for UK Mat Surfer, Bryn Dampney. 

G-Mat 46 (AKA "Bombina")

Photo: Ollie Howe

Bryn is a relatively new convert to the way of the mat having picked up a couple of 4GFs over the last year or so. He is a very talented kneeboarder, notable lneeboard shaper, highly experienced bodyboarder and, as it turns out, is quickly developing into a skilled mat surfer too.

Being one of the most natural tube riders I have had the pleasure of surfing with, it is really exciting to see Bryn out in the water on mats.

Bryn has decided to get in touch with his sensitive side with Bombina, going for a 70/70 construction. I'm really excited to here/see how she goes for him.

Stay tuned.

Cheers

G