Blackbeard

This is Blackbeard, a 200/70 G-Mat Ute built for UK based mat surfer, Steve Holmes.

Steve has been surfing mats for some time now and is keen to take him mat riding forwards, including some bigger days. We spoke about what he was after and Steve was keen for a mat that world cover all bases. The Ute seemed a solid option as the perfect all rounder. Steve has added a bungee for those rare particularly tricky conditions.

We have gone with a wheezer with free elastic rocker so Blackbeard will really have a wide range and will keep it's shape in bumpy and chunky conditions.

Steve said:

“Looks perfect fella can’t wait to try it,

My first experience of Mat surfing was about 25 years ago, A mate and myself bought a couple of Tiki mats and surfed killers in Morocco with them, Then a few years ago when mats started re-emerging, I bought a mat which I’ve been using in North Devon on Smaller days so now looking for something to use on bigger days as well. ”

— Steve Holmes

Blackbeard is heading off as we speak and I'm looking forward to hearing how she goes.

Have fun Steve!

Cheers

G

Monk Seal

Here's a mat for Blake Snyder-Rogers named "Monk Seal". Blake lives on the Big Island of Hawaii and was after a mat "for riding big gnarly waves"... Roger that.

The Nouveau Racer is a model I worked out a few years ago. It's had some minor tweaks to the base design and we are on the third iteration. The key thing is that it feels very dependable in bigger waves, when other models might start to feel skittery. That's a pretty reassuring feeling! The Nouveau Racer definitely has a bottom end so is a model compliment an all rounder. Blake is covered on that front as he already owns a G-Mat RFT2, the stock version of a 70/70 RB-JMC built by Tom Jennings.

So on to the build, Monk Seal has a 200d deck. I only build the Nouveau Racer for big surf as a 200/70. Combined with restricted venting and the fact that the mat is narrower so the rider gets more deck coverage, this all adds to the stability of the mat overall which on a larger mat would need higher inflation levels to compensate. Blake was also keen to go with a good grip coverage to keep himself stuck to the mat. This also adds to the stability.

Blake asked for a bungee. I get asked about these a lot and honestly, leashes and mats are not a good mix. Although I heavily reinforce the front flange, they tug on the mat and get in the way. I sometimes think people have got so conditioned to just letting their surfcraft go and all in all, learning to hang on is better.

There are exceptions of course such as physical issues, surfing wave pools and, of course, "... for riding big gnarly waves" where losing the mat finds you stuck offshore with the sharks!

As for the colours, Blake asked for a grey deck (so popular these days!) with purple logo and grip. The grip is purple, despite my camera trying to convince you otherwise!

Finally, Blake asked for positive elastic rocker to help to drive Monk Seal through turns.

So, Monk Seal is heading off to the Big Island to hook up with Blake. Have fun man!

Cheers

G

Evil Twins

Having just taken deposits for the next 10 builds, I have quickly slipped in a couple of mats for Derek Hynd as Australia slides into winter. We went for a quiver of two to cover all bases.

This is mat number 1 named Evil Twin F. She is a 70/70 RB-JMC free-breather with negative elastic rocker.

Derek puts a lot of pressure on his mats, taking late drops in solid waves. We talked about grip patterns and opted for diagonal strips to give grip both length ways and across the mat, whist still maintaining maleability as Evil Twin F is Derek's all-rounder out of the 2.

Mat 2 of 2 for Derek is Evil Twin M is the gun of the quiver, ready for the solid winter swells at The Pass.

Evil Twin M is a Nouveau Racer; a mat with a lot of hold. As is standard for this model, ETM is a 200/70 wheezer, meaning the ride is stable with the mat holding it's shape more. It also means that when cutting back you have air in the outside rail (when in trim) for longer when you make the turn, giving more hold. The narrower, rounder outer pontoon, more acute curve in the rail and rounder corners also help with hold.

I personally think the RB-JMC and Nouveau Racer are pretty much the prefect quiver combo. I'm looking forward to the feedback on the Evil Twins.

Have fun Derek.

Cheers

G

Kopite

Here is a mat for my son, Joe.

Joe is a talented skater and has ridden a mat a bit. More recently has got out on the mat a lot more and has really clicked with the more nuanced aspects of riding, dropping his inflation levels and getting on a high line to make fast sections. His current mat, named “Treble”, is a 200/70 Ute with free elastic rocker and wheezy internal venting. Treble has a bungee fitted for a leash attachment and is also gripped with ClearFix.

Having spent more time on his mat, Joe has a clearer idea of what he wants. 2 key things were more grip and to ditch the bungee (they have their place but he never uses a leash and the extended and reinforced front flange is noticeable. With that in mind, Joe’s new ride is the same build essentially but with Sikaflex EBT grip and no bungee. The additional change is that the red deck material is inelastic so we are restricted to either positive or flat rocker. With those options it is nice to put some variety into the quiver so a positive rocker was the way which will support turns off the rail. We often surf wedgy waves and the stable deck, restricted breather and rocker will really support tighter turns.

So on to the aesthetics. As mentioned, the deck is red and the bottom has been acid dyed in red too.

Red goes faster, right?!

In our house we are big Liverpool FC supporters and Joe wanted to honour this, so a red mat with white trim does that perfectly. We also added a small Liverbird (the Club’s crest) on the left rail along the edge of the front corner grip. The name, which came from Becky (Joe’s mum), is “Kopite”. For those unaware, a Kopite is someone who stands in the Kop, the iconic stand behind the goal at the Walton Breck Road end of the Club’s stadium, Anfield. Perfect name! Not everyone is into football (soccer) and football fans are tribal, but for us as a family, our love of LFC is something that bonds us and we have so many amazing memories supporting this Club, so it means the World to me build this mat for my son.

Kopite is a Christmas present so will be boxed up. Here’s to getting some swell over the Christmas period.

Have fun Webbo. YNWA

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

Ellie 2

Here is"Ellie 2", a G-Mat Nouveau Racer built for Aussie matsurfer, Peter Abbott.

I agreed to squeeze Pete in for a mat a while back after his first mat from me, Ellie, fell victim to the seemingly increasing peril of talentless loggers getting in the way and either going belly up right in front of someone riding (if you're caught inside paddle for the wash and take what's coming to you) or letting riderless lumps plow through the line up because they "don't need a leash"!

Sorry for the rant but take responsibility for yourselves you f*cknubbins!

[exhale]

So... Onto Ellie 2. She's a 200/70 wheezer built to feel like a trustworthy r stable ide on critical waves. Pete surfs some bigger hollow surf and has found that the Nouveau Racer design fitted this perfectly. He was keen to go with a red deck again. The material I have now is different to the stuff I had before with this red being a deeper kind of cherry colour. It really is very nice. The original Ellie had a black bottom skin but having chatted with Pete we agreed on navy. It's much a little more malleable (a more apt word than "flex" which I've seen a bit lately) and therefore faster.

Other than that we haven't changed a thing.

Ellie 2 is en route right now and Pete has some travel planned so I'm looking forward to hearing about Ellie 2's adventures!

Have fun Pete fun Pete and watch out for the kooks!

Cheers

G

Ruby

Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby! Aaahahhahahharrrahhgh!

Yes this is Ruby, a G-Mat Ute built for Newquay based Neale Bergman. Neal won the raffle at the recent Fringe Film night hostel by Stevo and Helen from The Temple of Fringe Surf Shop. The night raised stacks of money for Stoked Stroke Survivors and I was honoured to play a small part in that.

So on to all this... Neale doesn't have a ton of mat surfing experience but he's an absolute hunk and body surfs as well as riding bellyboards so has what it takes. With that in mind a mat that is relatively straightforward to jump on to and get going was the best bet and a 200/70 Ute was the perfect choice. The Ute is the basis for the stock G-Mat RFT that Tom Jennings builds and is a perfect all rounder working well in pretty much any conditions. Like the RFT, Ruby is a wheezer which helps keep things feeling stable.

Of course being a custom, Ruby is built to be a perfect fit for Neale. The red deck, white bottom, white grip combo looks super clean too. I really like this mat.

We were hoping to do a personal delivery and get a wave but the surf looks appalling so Ruby is in the post. I'm going to be down in Newquay at the beginning of August for the showing of Innermost Limits of Pure Fun being hosted by Andy Fielding, so plan to get in with the Newquay area mat crew then.

It's been a fun build this. Hopefully Neale's partner Hayley will grab an RFT now 😎

Have fun Neale!

Cheers

G

Zawn

Here is a mat built for west Cornwall-based mat surfer Matthew Geyman.

Matt surfs way down west getting into some of the short, sucky beach breaks down that way so wanted a mat that would get in and get hold quickly. Matt has a 4GF Omni from PG so we settled on a Nouveau Racer to concentrate on hollower or bigger days. Matt opted to name her 'Zawn'.

Matt says:

“Zawn is named for those secluded places along the Far West’s remote North Coast. Coves accessible only via a scramble, or by canoe, are a treat to explore. Packing a mat on a summer coast path walk, in the hope of spotting an unexpected wave is real treasure hunting. Originally a temporary way to stay on the water after a back injury, mats quickly became a source of joy for my whole family, often replacing more traditional craft: boards and hand planes. Because a mat’s so easy to transport, its rewards were multiplied.

Our closest break (a lesser visited spot in the far west) has waves better suited to short craft and bodysurfing. We snag treasured family memories here: daughters hooting and skidding on mats down the face of Christmas Day growlers, with no other soul about.

‘Zawn’ joins a stable including a 4GF Omni, Catherine’s G-Raft (a birthday gift when she fell out of love with surfing), and a behemoth Redback with chunky handles that the kids love (a great summer mush machine, sent by my brother from some godforsaken town near his home on the east coast of Australia). A mat’s joined the annual Morocco pilgrimage a few times in 20 years, but usually stays rolled up as it’s unlikely to replace a board for the long paddle out to Killers. Zawn will feature more heavily and it’ll love Cathedrals.

After a life in the water, it’s only a surfmat that makes me giggle uncontrollably and I’d do anything to keep the maniacal cackle factor.

Cheers n gone

Matt”

— Matthew Geyman

Zawn is a 200/70 Wheezer. We had some debate around elastic rocker versus free rocker. The new red material kinda made the choice for us being pretty inelastic. I suspect this might loosen up after a surf or two. I'll be checking in with Matt. Matt has also gone for a bungee for long Moroccan swims!

Have fun Matt!

Cheers

G

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

Ziran

So then first build of this run and this is a mat for Dom Davenport.

Dom has an RB-JMC already and was keen to think about how best to add to the quiver. After some discussion weighing up the benefits of an Ubercat or Nouveau Racer we settled on the latter (Dom has a 4GF @4thgearflyer Lotus Blue Streak so has that area covered).

With a trip to surf Moroccan points on the horizon the Nouveau Racer is the perfect addition. To be honest, the Nouveau Racer is the perfect partner to the RB-JMC anyway. There's a bit of overlap between the two and the Nouveau Racer extends the scope handling bigger and more critical waves better.

So onto this mat and Dom has named it Ziran which means "to push away outside influence and embrace one's authenticity, while living natural, spontaneous, and free".

Perfect.

Ziran is a 200/70 Wheezer built with free elastic rocker. Dom asked for a bungee for a leash. We are both in agreement that leashes are an absolute P in the A and should never substitute good form and keeping hold of the mat but some of those swims in Morocco can be pretty long and/or sketchy so nice to have the option.

Ziran is heading off to hook up with Dom now so I look forward to seeing how things go.

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

Selin

Say hello to Selin, an RB-JMC for the mat obsessed Helen Derici.

Helen and her partner Gary Villa have been riding mats for some time to the point that they are now fully off-board. Helen has been riding a G-Mat 5 Star General but has been envious of Gary’s RB-JMC. With that in mind, Gary hit me up for a bit of extra-curricular mat building and over a rainy weekend of flat surf in early summer I cracked on.

That all makes it sound pretty simple. The reality was that this being a custom build, Gary had to get body measurements from Helen to send to me to scale the mat. He also had to find out what Helen would be calling her custom mat in the future in the event that she happened to get one as there was no way on earth that I was breaking the rule that no custom mat leaves my workshop unnamed! Not an easy thing to do without giving the game away! Well done Gary!

Anyway with that in mind Selin (a female Turkish name meaning Strong Flowing Water) was born. I haven’t posted anything before because she was built well in advance of Helen’s birthday which was yesterday (happy birthday Helen!!!) and we needed to keep things schtoom.

So a bit more info. Selin is an RB-JMC as mentioned. A 70/70 wheezer with free elastic rocker to give a good transition from the 200/70 5 Star General. Feedback from Helen after a birthday surf is that Selin feels completely different to the 5 Star General and flies!

I love it when a plan comes together!!!

Anyway, great to finally see Helen on the mat. Have fun, as always!

Cheers

G

San B

Here's a mat named San-B built for Nicolas Wolken. Many of you may know Nico already as a professional snowboarder, Patagonia Ambassador and co-founder of Korua Shapes snowboards. As well as being a hugely talented snowboarder, he is an excellent surfer and has developed a love for the mat.

Nico says:

“I grew up in the Swiss Alps with snowboarding as a big influence, but my interest in surfing was sparked when my Australian Grandma sent me and my brothers a surfing VHS. Although I pretty much only got to surf during summer vacations. I’ve always been in to activities that offer a different sensation from snowboarding so I liked climbing and when I saw the movie “Come hell or high water” by Chris Malloy, it really got me interested in body surfing.

I spent a couple of summers trying to figure it out which was a blast. Then a few years ago I met Rasta at a Patagonia Ambassador summit in California. I already admired his board surfing and saw him ride a surf mat. The waves were small but long and he was just flying down the line having the best time. I couldn’t believe my eyes, the speed he generated just blew my mind! He was getting the best and longest waves jumping over people! He actually let me and others have a go but I didn’t get it instantly. However after witnessing his surfing I knew I had to figure this out as it looked so fun!”

— Nicolas Wolken

Since then Nico has scored a couple of mats, most recently a G-Mat RFT which he has ridden a few times now and has become his favourite ride. He had already got on the list for a custom when he bought the RFT so was already clear on what he wanted... Something for the juice! A Nouveau Racer was the obvious choice and is a perfect quiver mate for the RFT.

Nico was keen on a mat that cuts-back into the pocket and turns off the bottom so we went for positive elastic rocker. The internal venting is restricted to make San-B more wheezy which along with the 200d deck will keep the mat relatively stable when things get hectic!

As for the colour... A nod to snow and the Yin to the RFTs Yang.

I'm looking forward to seeing what goes on with Nico and San-B. Have fun!

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

---

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

Show Up & Blow Up!

This is a new mat for Hawaii based matsurfer, Anthony Olayan. Anthony managed to get in on the last run so did well to get in again. This time around he has gone for the perfect partner to his RB-JMC… A Nouveau Racer.

The Nouveau Racer is the ‘gun’ in my range of mats. It gives a stack of very dependable hold in solid surf. My personal quiver is an RB-JMC for everyday waves and a Nouveau Racer for the juice so Anthony living in Hawaii, this makes sense.

As I say, the Nouveau Racer model goes well in solid surf allowing you to surf with confidence. I typically build these as 200/70 Wheezers (restricted breather) to give a mat that holds its shape in critical situations and when hitting bumps and chop on the face of waves.  This design definitely has a bottom end in terms of what it will go in but it’s a specialist model after-all.

This mat has been named “Show Up and Blow Up” after this film made by Anthony and his brother-in-law for a competition:

https://shorturl.at/etXY8

 The prize is a session at the Kelly Slater wave pool. Thanks for all who voted for Anthony. Good luck mate!

Anyway, Show Up and Blow Up is on the way to Hawaii so let’s see how they get on. Have fun Anthony and fingers crossed on the pool!

 Cheers

G

Circe - Heading to Noosa

This is the first of two mats going to Australia for a matting couple in Noosa. "Circe", a 200/70 Ute built for Rachel Scarff. Rachel says she has named her mat "Circe" beacause:

“I’ve always loved mythology, in particular Circe, and always find myself coming back to her. Thought it would suit as her legend is based around water. Her dad is the sun god and mother is a sea nymph. She also represents femininity in the stories about her in a way that’s scares men, so thought it would be funny to have a mat called that in a sport that’s fairly dominated by guys who don’t always give women respect or the time out in the ocean. It’s like if they were mean I’d just channel Circe (she’s a goddess of sorcery) and put a spell on them and turn them into a sea cucumber or something 😂😂”

— Rachel Scraiff

Notice the mistake here?

That is perfect!!! I always love building mats for women. Unlike much of the mainstream surf media, mat surfing tends to break down the gender barriers and just welcomes mat surfers as mat surfers and we really do need more women to be surfing mats.

I asked Rachel about her matting experiences the journey into mat riding. She said:

““I’ve been living in Noosa for the last 7 years, originally from South Australia. Started out on a log, but downsized to an 8’2 V bottom made by local board shaper Ado (Maren surfboards), because I just want to trim and turn. I’m fairly new to the mat game. I started using my partners spare mat more seriously last year and have been enjoying it so much that I decided to get myself a custom mat for my size (I am very short haha!). My partner has been wanting to order a g-mat for a while now, so perfect timing!

I’ve found myself hardly surfing my board these days and only taking out the mat because I just love it so much - I can go out and even if I only get a few waves I have a blast, as opposed to taking the board out and not getting that same feeling.

Love riding the mat out at Tea Tree and always fun to mat with pals James T, Matt C and my partner Ben. Still a few other mat friends that I’m wanting to catch waves with….””

— Rachel Scraiff

That's such a familiar story. Mats get you like that!

So then, on to the tech bits. Circe is a 200/70 wheezer with free elastic rocker. Rachel has also gone with a Hestered valve. As with all customs this has been specifically scaled to meet Rachel's body size so will hopefully feel like a good fit.

Circe is on the way to Oz now along with her partner Ben's mat... but that's a story for another day.

Have fun Rachel! It's been a pleasure.

Cheers

G

Wedding Bells!

So here we have a mat named "Shirley" built for Rob Bailey @bailey_9_

Rob had been asking about a mat for a while and managed to get in on my mailer just in the nick of time. For what? For his wedding! I was stoked to hear from Rob that he was getting hitched and that this mat was a wedding present to himself.

Perfect!

We were finalising finishing touches late in the day before but I'm sure Rob's mind was on the task at hand. 😂

Shirley is named after Rob's gran and, like her, is pretty slick. As a first mat, Rob and I agreed that a 200/70 Ute was the sensible option. She is set up as a wheezer to help keep her shape and allow for experiments with inflation.

Rob is hoping to get Shirley in the water soon. Looking forward to hearing how they go.

Congratulations again Rob!

Cheers

G