Yin Yang Glider

Say hello to "Yin Yang Glider", a custom G-Mat Ute built for Aussie mat surfer Richard Sandilands.

Richard lives around Byron in NSW and over the years had shared several sessions hidden from the hoards in the less crowded corners. This is where he first saw GG riding a mat. Like many of us Richard bought a mat, got hooked and then suddenly realised that he hadn't ridden a board in ages!

Richard says:

“There was a small coterie of other mat surfers that gathered at Wategos most mornings in George’s orbit, a loose entourage of older eccentric guys, refugees from the more crowded Byron breaks. Sometimes Warren [Pfeiffer] would come up from Yamba and it was always fun to share the waves with him too.

And the year Jamie [McClellan] was living up the coast and would come to Byron to surf from time to time.”

— Richard Sandilands

There is a strong crew of good mat surfers around that way on the better breaks too so I always like sending a mat that way.

So on to Yin Yang Glider. This mat is a 200/70 Ute. Richard was interested in a stable and versatile mat so she is built as a wheezer which can be useful in choppy conditions and also on bigger days.

Richard says:

“I have chosen what I believe to be a versatile and durable set of specs for this mat, leaning on the more conservative side perhaps to allow for a mat that will surf in a variety of conditions here including bumpier surf especially on cross-shore days at the Pass that can confound the longboard riders and create opportunities for mat riders in what would otherwise be impossibly crowded and competitive conditions.”

— Richard Sandilands

The name came to mind for Richard based on the colour. I really do love monochrome mats. Seriously.... I proper love 'em and Yin Yang Glider is the first in a run of three of them. 🖤🤍

So Yin Yang Glider had embarked on her journey down under. I'm excited to hear how this adventure pans out.

Have fun Richard!

Cheers

G

Cliodnha

Meet Cliodhna, a mat for the final of the three very local people in this run.

Mags Harding (mother of Joe Harding whom a good number of readers will know) lives pretty close to me and is a regular long-standing fixture at the local South Devon surf spots. Mags has ridden mats a bit in the past but these have usually been too big for her (most recently borrowing a XL G-Mat 5 Star General from Alex Williams  which is basically a camp bed for Mags!)

We talked about what Mags was after and she said she wanted an all rounder that would work well in surf around 2-3ft having mulled over the options we settled on a G-Mat Ute as this will cover everything and comfortably accommodate bigger surf as Mags develops her mat riding.

We went for a 200/70 build with a pink acid dyed deck and navy bottom. Mags asked for grey grip and I was wondering how it would look with the pink... Great is eanswer!

Internally we have restricted the airflow. "Wheezers" retain their shape well offering stability, along with the 200d deck, so offers Mags the opportunity to get by the inflation down.

As for the name, Mags tells me that in Cork Cliodhna is known as the Goddess of love and beauty.. She was also a Queen of the Banshees in Irish folklore and seems a perfect name for a mat that will be screaming down the line!

We said we really must have a South Devon matmeet so putting the call out to any mat surfers hiding out there!

Have fun Mags! It's been a fun build and I'm looking forward to seeing you out there!

Cheers

G

Towlie

Say hello to G-Mat 285, a Ute named "Towelie" built for fellow Cornishman, Graham Bracegirdle and my last build of 2023.

Bracey is a pretty well known figure in the UK surf scene having worked in the industry back in the day. He was always known as a charger with his son Joe picking up the mantle today.

More recently, Bracey has spread his sights further afield and a cursory glance at his yard overlooking his rock strewn home break in South East Cornwall will reveal a wide array of weird and wonderful contraptions in various states of repair.

If it's on, Bracey is on it!

Bracey has had a couple of my early cast-off mats over the years so I was stoked when he got in for a custom on this run.

He has ridden a 70/70 Ute previously but was keen to get something a bit more stable so we agreed on a 200/70 Wheezer. The Ute Bracey has was also scaled to me so was a little small so upping the size to fit his height was needed. As I mentioned, the inside at Bracie's home break can be very sketchy so he has asked for a bungee to give a leash option on the bigger days.

As for the rest, Bracey is a Liverpool fan, same as me, so adding a Liverbird was an absolute joy and I have to say, I love how this has come out!

Black on black is always a win for me.

Have fun meht!

Cheers

G

Winner!

WINNER!!!

G-Mat 275 is a mat named "Helga" built for French surfer Rocci Semmer . You might remember that my partner in lilos Tom Jennings ran a giveaway recently and Rocci won a custom mat build and his time came up.

Helga is a 200/70 G-Mat Ute. She's built with free rocker and as a Wheezer so a very stable mat and a total all-rounder. Oh and sexy black on black!

Rocci gave me a few words:

“Surfing has always held a special allure for me, thanks to the pioneering spirits who have shaped the way of expressing themselves over the years. As I stand on the expansive coastline of the south-west of France, gazing out at the endless horizon, I feel a deep connection to the ocean and its rhythmic waves. It’s in this picturesque setting that my journey into the world of surf mats began.

The south-western coast of France, with its pristine beaches, reefs and powerful swells, serves as the perfect backdrop for my exploration of alternative wave-riding experiences. While traditional surfing is undoubtedly exhilarating, I’ve long been fascinated by the diversity of riding styles that the ocean offers. Surf mats, with their unique blend of simplicity and grace, have captured my imagination.

I find myself in a world of tranquility and freedom, imagine to find an almost meditative quality to riding a mat – a connection with the water that’s more intimate than any other form of surfing. The sensation of gliding effortlessly atop the waves, propelled by the natural energy of the ocean, is nothing short of enchanting.

With every ride, I discover new nuances of the ocean’s power and the art of balancing on it. It’s a journey of self-discovery, patience, and a deep respect for the sea.

In the south-west of France, where the surf culture runs deep and the waves are both formidable and inviting, I’ve found my playground. Exploring the world of alternative surf crafts here has not only enriched my connection to the ocean but also deepened my appreciation for the legacy of surf pioneers. As I continue to explore the way of riding waves, I can’t help but feel like a part of that timeless lineage, contributing to the ever-evolving story of surfing in my own unique way.

Thanks Graeme Webster for that beautifully handmade custom mat.”

— Rocci Semmer

Sounds like Rocci is pretty open minded & that's great to hear. I've seen the wave he has in mind for a debut surf and it's mouth watering!

Have fun Rocci!

Cheers

G

Sandpiper

Say hello to G-Mat 270 (AKA "Sandpiper"), a 200/70 Ute built for Sam Arkinstall.

Sam is a UK based surfer who is fairly new to mats but he is friends with Ethan Greenwood who has been riding mats for a few years now so it was only a matter of time.

Sam came with a clear colour scheme in mind for his mat so I had to crack out the dye. Lighter colours like those towards the tail can often be a bit fickle but I think we've got away with it!

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

“My journey in to mats started with my friend Ethan who introduced me to it. I had never seen or heard about it before. I was definitely sceptical about it at first , then when I used a mat for the first time the feeling of riding a wave was very different to any form of surfing I have done before!

It’s nice for me because I can add another Watersport to my quiver as already windsurf, surf, paddleboard, sail and wakeboard. I like to think I am an all round waterman, so I have a water sport for near enough every weather condition.

My go to places are usually Crooklets or Widemouth but recently moved to North Devon so been exploring some spots round there.

There’s not much meaning behind the name really. basically went on a long google search around Monterey bay as that’s where the colour scheme derives from, and found there was a movie called Sandpiper filmed there and though it sounded cool.”

— Sam Arkinstall

I was stoked to build a mat named Sandpiper myself as it was my Dad's CB Radio handle when I was a kid!

So back to this Sandpiper, as I say we have gone with a 200/70 free-breather. This offers stability in the deck so the mat maintains it's shape more readily which will be useful for Sam as he develops as a mat rider whilst maintaining the ability to morph responsively to the wave and rider input. Sam has gone for a free elastic rocker for versatility.

Have fun Sam. I hope we get to share some waves one day.

Cheers

G

Pure Joy

Here’s a new mat for Josh Jacobs over in Hawaii named “Pure Joy”.  Josh has been after a new mat and managed to get in on this round, having been riding one of my mats for some time.

 Here’s what Josh had to say:

“How can I explain Mat surfing.. As someone that has been in the ocean for most of my life and have played with many different types of ocean crafts (bodyboards, surfboards both short and long, body surfing, paddle boarding, and a few others), mat surfing might be the only one that brings me back to the childhood joy that I experienced the first time I rode a wave. I really only got into it a few years ago watching one of my buddies ride his mat at a funky little wave on Maui, which is where I live. My buddy let me have a go on his mat and I was hooked after the first speedy free-flowing right that I ever had on one. After that I hit up my old friend from California [Jason MacMurray] who’s been riding your mats for sometime, and he so generously sent me one of his older mats to use. I love riding the mat in all types of waves, from reef breaks to A frame rights and lefts to longer island style point breaks. It’s always fun to see peoples reaction to how much fun I am having on such a different style of surf craft. I have surfed many times in my life, but I can honestly say that some of the sessions that stand out to me are the days that I rode my mat. I can’t wait to ride my new mat “AKA” Pure Joy.”

— Josh Jacobs

We talked about what Josh was after. The mat he had from Jason is a 70/70 free-breather Rubber Bucky. The mat is a bit under sized for Josh but still, that particular set up can be tricky in heavier and hollower waves. Josh was after something more stable to expand his matting options but still an all rounder.

With all that in mind, a Ute seemed the obvious choice. I have scaled around Josh’s existing mat (see G-Mat 83) and his body dimensions in combination as he feels happy riding it. We have gone for a 200d deck with restricted venting (wheezer) on the inside so Pure Joy will hold her shape and offer a more stable deck. Pretty nice quiver mate for his other mat named “Self-Pleasure” (Jason named it!). 

Looking forward to feedback from Josh on this build. Have fun mate!

 Cheers

 G

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FEEDBACK - 16 February, 2023

Red Rider

Here’s a mat for US East Coast mat surfer, Joe McEachern.

Joe has been riding mats for around 2-3 years. He says he has nurtured a developing interest in riding waves in different ways or late. When we were designing Joe’s mat he went on to say:

“There are very few mat surfers in New England that I’ve seen.

The first time out on the mat was demoralizing, but fortunately, I’d say things progressed to fun pretty quickly. As I started catching waves regularly I was absolutely loving it and full on committed to mat surfing as much as I possibly could year round. I really like the sensation I get on the waves but also the satisfaction of learning all the nuances of it. I feel like New England it’s a great place to ride a mat because sometimes the conditions aren’t great and the waves are inconsistent but I can always make the best of things on the mat.

Can’t wait to try out the Red Rider! The hurricane swells are on the way and it should be a great all around mat for the conditions here!”

— Joe McEachern

So on to Joe’s mat then. Joe was keen on an all rounder that would manage all that the New England coastline will through at him. After some discussion we agreed on a 200/70 Ute. Joe has gone for red and white (which pleases me as a Liverpool FC fan) and has named his mat “Red Rider”.

Red Rider is a wheezer with free rocker. The combo of a 200d deck and restricted air flow will make for a mat that holds it’s shape in choppy conditions, even at lower inflation levels.

Joe has had Red Rider for a couple of weeks now and I was pleased to get some feedback and a photo from him after his first go out:

“Just got out of the water. 4 hours! The mat is fantastic! Very happy with it. Could do anything I wanted. Caught lots of waves, could hold a nice high line, and could go fast. Awesome!

Fits great. It’s interesting. One of the other mats I have looks to be almost the same size. Very close. But the Ute feels bigger/wider in a very good way. And much lighter feeling. Very happy.

Thanks very much! ”

— Joe McEachern

That really is the kind of feedback I like to hear.

Thanks Joe!

Cheers

G