Poetry

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California mat surfer, John "Bagjuan" Mann is currently borrowing Ken McKnight's 70/70 Ute, "Blue Thunder".

G-Mat 33 (AKA "Blue Thunder") Photo: Ken McKnight

I got this email fter his first go out:

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From the moment I pressed my lips against her orifice, tasting a salty sweetness,I it was self evident that we were going to get along just fine.Matter not whose lips had been before, they were all good men.

Though she had been ridden hard, and put away wet many times, I took her under my arm. Too  much rubbing had worn her traction to the nubs, but I dismissed that, and affectionately renamed this stallion of a mat" Razor Wind".   She liked to roam outside of the pocket, but was quick to return to her rightful place , deep in the sweet spot. A satisfying blend of the Gross Mini-Mat, and one of Dales last offerings not one to burn off speed, and nimble in all ways side to side .

I enjoyed being able to tweek her valve, whilst wearing 7ml.lobster claws. Its not summer, till the big rubber comes off....,soon ?  All told, the Razor Wind won my heart, and I will return her to The Doggy Lama, with hopes that she has a sister, or something passable, that I might procure from you, Provider of Inflatable Joy.

I will get my house in order, for her coming.

Bagjuan

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Mission accomplished...

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

Surfmat Maintenance: Topping Up Grip

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I've put together a little video on topping up grip. Now apologies for it being a bit boring but it's difficult to make this exciting! Still, I hope it's useful for those who need it.

You will need:

1) Good quality masking tape.

2) Flexible plastic spreader - DO NOT USE METAL!

3) A tube of Sikaflex FC11 Sealant (or your preferred alternative)

4) A nail brush.

5) Gloves

6) A bin close to hand.

Any questions then feel free to get in touch.

Cheers

G

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EDIT: US readers please read this article: 

http://customsurfmats.com/blog/2014/8/24/sikaflex-news

G-Mat 45 (AKA "Zeno")

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I've just finished building a mat for Australian mat maestro, Warren Pfeiffer.  For those unaware of his surfing, here is an edit of him surfing at Gnaraloo.

Warren has been having fun riding a second hand G-Mat for a little while and was keen to get onto something with a wider range. Having discussed what he was after, a Ute scaled to his tall frame seemed to be the right choice.

G-Mat 45 (AKA "Zeno")

G-Mat 45 (AKA "Zeno")

Zeno is a 200/70 construction and, a free-breather. Warren had some particular ideas around the area of coverage for the grip. Most notably, taking the coverage on the central pontoon far further forward than I would normally.  

I'll be really interested to hear how this goes down.

Stay tuned.

Cheers

G

G-Mat 45 (AKA "Zeno")

More Mats For Ya Buck!

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Don't get excited... G-Mat's are still cripplingly expensive, although Stirling seems to be wobbling a touch (yes!). Oh, and they're still half the price of a custom surfboard so....

OK, now it IS time to get excited! I've just finished a pair of mats for ASB. These are the next step in a project that that we have been working on to develop the perfect surfmat for Rincon. ASB rated his last ones as "A+++" so it's safe to say that further tinkering is really about fine tuning.

G-Mats 43 & 44 (AKA "Accept Join Mr Torn III" and  "Accept Join Mr Torn IV"

Oh yeah... ASB still likes his mats black. He also likes them to breath freely with 200 denier decks and 3/4 grip patterns which both have.

Anyway, we have pushed out the width and accentuated the bottom contours a little on G-Mat 43 and pushed out G-Mat 44 a little more thus slightly accentuating to inside contour of the rail pontoons (thus reducing the hook) and slightly dropping the concave (although it still has a solid concave).

I can't wait for feedback on these and plan to build myself one once ASB finally hits the target.

Baited breath....

G