Morning Light
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If you asked someone to draw you an outdoorsman, they would probably present you with a picture of Joe Grant. Joe is all about immersion in his environment through running, climbing, cycling and exploring deep into the wildest places (check his incredible Insta @alpineworks) so I was really stoked the when he got in on the current run for a custom mat.
So... Say hello to Morning Light, a G-Mat Chino Racer built with a heavy nod to the yacht George Greenough bought and modified to explore hidden places, as documented in the film Crystal Voyager. A perfect fit for Joe.
Joe said:
“I grew up on the west coast of France and spent a lot of time at the beach as a kid. I loved to swim and bodysurf, and I developed a deep appreciation for the ocean. Though I’ve spent most of my adult life in the western United States, landlocked in Colorado, I’ve been fortunate to travel the world as a runner and artist. Favoring a minimalist, “carry-on only” style, I found that the surf mat fits this aesthetic perfectly.
During the pandemic, I bought a canvas deck surf mat and took a deep dive into the mat world. Then came the G-Mat RFT2; it totally blew my mind and opened my eyes to the nuances of the craft and the value of having a quiver. Flash forward to today—I’m so stoked for this custom Chino Racer to complement the RFT2 for bigger conditions. It feels particularly special to call it Morning Light as a nod to George Greenough’s vessel in Crystal Voyager. Cheers, G!”
I checked with George in advance and he was happy to go with the build giving his customary nonchalant "yeah I don't care. Go for it. Sounds fun!"
Aside from the aesthetics, Joe came with a clear idea what he wanted. Something to compliment his RFT2, offering more hold and stability but still able to go in average sized surf. We settled on a 200/70 Chino Racer with restricted air flow which should tick those boxes nicely.
I'm really excited to see where Morning Light goes with Joe. I'll certainly make sure the photos get to GG.
Have fun Joe!
Cheers
G