Feedback from John Hughes

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I've had a couple of emails from John Hughes regarding his early experiences with his 70/70 Rubber Bucky, Sylvia.

John says:

EMAIL 1:
My first session was on tiny waves at the local pier. There is a break on the north side of the pier that happens only when the tide and swell direction are just right. When it breaks a wedgy peak forms right next to the end of the pier. That turns into a fast drop which usually breaks right away and puts you in the whitewater. That lasts for a few yards then it re-forms into a walled up ledge that reels right into the pilings. Just as you get to the pilings you can pull out then take the outgoing channel next to the pier and go right back to the take off zone.

The ride is short but exhilarating.

Although the swell that day was tiny, the conditions were right and a miniature version of the wave was working. The mat handled it easily, tracking down every little seam in the wave, turning a potential non-session into an hour of fun. No pics of this. I took a camera with me but no one was there to take pics. The inflation pic is from that morning.

EMAIL 2:
I got the mat out again this morning, this time in some waist high but lined up groundswell. This mat is blazing fast! I was easily blowing by sections and the mat was smooth and controlled. When the offshores held the wave back I could hang the mat at the top of the wave until it walled lined up then let it loose. I am definately clicking with this mat. It is another level above Phileas. I can't wait to get it in some big stuff.

I didn't get actual surfing pics. I just had the snapshot camera. I include one pic of the inflation level I am at. It works very well with low inflation. Also include the latest update on my car stickers. We may be getting some big onshore slop soon. If so, I will send a report.

aloha, John

Bring on the slop!

Cheers

G

Word from Scandinavia

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Word has come in from Sweden's minister of matting, Tim Ciasto.  Tim has a couple of Rubber Buckies, both in sultry black on black. You can read all about them HERE.

Anyway, having a lot of work on as a film maker, plus living in a land with inconsistent waves, it's not always easy to get quality surf in but it sounds like the Norse Gods have been smiling on Tim judging by his recent email:

 

Got incredibly busy the last week but guess what...

Today I went surfing. It almost didn't happen because when I tried to put my DaFin Big Boo's on over my winter booties I ripped the strap of one fin... damn :( need a replacement now...

I really thought that was it, but I discovered that I had backup in my car (my V7's and 5mm dive socks). 

The wind was not too extreme so I decided to take "Geburtstag Bonus"...

You said it will take probably a couple of waves to get used to it... well ... what can I say...

My first 3 waves where pure magic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

On the first one I pulled into a steep section an had the brief feeling that I side-slipped but then the mat locked in and accelerated rapidly... so much fun. It was at my favorite spot but those waves today where among the best I ever surfed in Sweden. 

Thank you so much for this incredible gift. I still have a big smile on my face :)

Well, now I have a big smile on my face! Great to hear. Tim is planning on another visit to the UK soon which the UK Mat Surfers crowd are very pleased to hear. His last visit was great fun:

I'm looking forward to hearing about more adventures from Tim and his girls. It warms the cockles to know that I've played a small part in people's stoke. 

Cheers

G

Blue & Green Should Never be Seen...

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.... or so the saying goes. 

Luckily, that saying is a bunch of ol' pap and I've just built my second 70/70 Rubber Bucky in a row with a blue deck and green bottom skin.

Meet G-Mat 78 (AKA "Sylvia") built for Floridian, John Hughes.  John is a connoisseur of lightweight surfmats and a strong advocate of drifting mat surfing. Oh and he lives in the land of raggedy short-fetch swells so a Rubber Bucky seems like the perfect chariot.

Sylvia Is a free-breather with rocker and a Hestered valve. John asked for lighter grip so we went with Sikaflex 11FC+. He also asked me to leave a good amount of clear fabric up the the middle pontoon to save his chin from rashes so I've compensated with a little extra grip on the inside of the outer pontoons to make up for it.

John has also ordered a charcoal grey tee with black print. Sexy monochrome... Cool guy. :-)

Just waiting on the Tee and then Sylvia is off to her new home.

G

G-Mat 76 (AKA "Aquamanbag") - Happy (Early) Birthday Me!!!

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Never let it be said that I'm not an advocate of self-compassion and to prove that, here's my new steed, Aquamanbag.

I built this mat as a birthday present to myself an fully intended to wait until my birthday to unleash her. I was even gonna wrap her up.

That all went out of the window though and I've already had her out in some sloppy pap! She went great though.

Aquamanbag  is a G-Mat Rubber Bucky. Blue  70 denier deck and green 70 denier bottom skin. She is a free breather (of course) and has a flat rocker. That flat rocker does special things in those mats that you need to just run and they get quicker over time.

Stuff happens to them...

Special stuff...

Anyway, I've gone for a little colour and jazziness with a yellow logo and grey jungle grip. The grip is Sikaflex 11FC+ to keep things light and pliable.

Summer is on the way ladies and gents!!!

G

Happy Birthday Webbo!!!!!!!!!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BOY!!!!

Photo: Becky Webster

My boy Webbo (AKA Joe Webster) is 14 today and I'm not being at all biased when I say that he is a great lad of whom I am very, very proud.

Anyway, Webbo is becoming a pretty good mat rider and asked for a new mat for his birthday so here she is... "The Camo Carrot".

The Camo Carrot is a 200/70 G-Mat Ute. She has an Urban Camo style grip job with Sikaflex EBT, offering plently of traction, is hard  wearing and also helps to add stability to the deck to make things more manageable. 

That stability is also increased with the restricted airflow in this mat. I don't usually built "wheezers" these days but it does offer a more predictable platform so should help Webbo to continue to progress.

The Camo Carrot also has a bit of rocker. Webbo seems to have developed a bit of a taste for steep waves so that should help to keep things in order.

Finally, The Camo Carrot has a bungee leash attachment. Nice to keep Webbo attached to his mat... At least for now.

Once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUDE!!!!!!!!!

Dad.

G-Mats 73 and 75

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I'm VERY proud to have had the opportunity to build a couple of mats for one of mat surfing's truly great guys.

Tim Ciasto Photo: Mike Holland

Swede, Tim Ciasto is a great film maker, Photographer and a very solid mat rider. If you don't know him, UK Mat Surfers published a Here & Now interview with Tim last year which is well worth a read:

http://www.ukmatsurfers.com/tim-ciasto

Tim recently asked me to build him a mat to film from, asking for a bungee fitting for leashes and, perhaps, to hang stuff off. After some discussion, Tim opted for a Rubber Bucky. And then one became 2, because Tim is a solid mat rider so why have a leash on those days when you're not filming, eh?  And so it was that Geburtstag Bonus and FunWell were born.

Both mats are 200/70 free-breathers and, as you can see, Tim is a fan of black on black for grip and logos.  Geburtstag Bonus has a blue bottom skin. Very nice fabric this. Super pliable. FunWell is the same but all black which has a slightly denser weave and has the bungee fitting..

Tim is coming over to see us and get some waves so will be grabbing these in person. I always love surfing with people on their maiden voyages of mats that I have built so I'm pretty stoked. 

Cheers

G

Objet Volant non Identifié

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There have been some strange events afoot of late. First off, the sighting from mat grom Joe Webster of the Matsquatch in South East Cornwall, UK.

Then, as if that's not enough, an OVNI (French for UFO) has been sighted heading south from the area towards South West France.

We have our best man, Peter Mission on the case.  He's going to take a good look into what's what with this phenomenon. Photo evidence seems to indicate that the OVNI looks very similar to a G-Mat Chino Racer. 

Who'd have thought it!!!

So,we await word from Pete for more info.

Believe...

G

Soixante Neuf

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Double Entendes are go!!!!!!!!!!

Here's Peter "Chiledub" D'Ewart's latest mat, a 200/70 Chino Racer with a Hestered valve and Sikaflex 11 FC deck grip.

This is G-Mat 69 (ooh er!) whom Pete has named "Fast & Bulbous" (yuk yuk!).

Pete tells me that he's planning to slip it into some glistening tubes (fnar fnar!!!) in So Cal in a week so the Courier is under strict instruction to GET THE MAT TO PETE IN TIME!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, that is the double entendre mat out of the way.

[The world breathes a collective sigh of relief]

Onward.

Cheers

G

Tees and Hoods

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I'm really stoked to say that customers are now able to add a quality tee or hood to their order when buying a mat. 

These tees are top quality Gildan garments with the G-Mat logo individually cut and vinyl printed by the good people of the Cornish T-Shirt Factory. What this means is that you can pick your colours for both the garment and the print.

Custom exclusive clothing!

Bar a couple of pressies that have gone out, the only way to get one of these is with a custom mat. 

Cheers

G

G-Mat 70 - Keep the Faith

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Here is my first mat of 2015. I'm honoured to have been able to build G-Mat 70 for So Cal Surf Photographer, Joe Ewing who has named his new ride "Faith".

G-Mat 70 (AKA "Faith")

Faith is a 200/70 G-Mat Ute. Joe wanted an easier paddle so she has a flat rocker to help on that front and will also see this mat get down the line in a hurry.  The grip is Sikaflex 11FC+ in white with a grey logo. 

Joe has opted for a bungee leash attachment too.

Anyway, back to Joe, those who know him lill be aware that he's a talented surfer great photographer. You can see his work here:

http://joeewing.printroom.com/pro/ewing/default.asp

Have fun Joe.

Cheers

G

 

An Unexpectedly Low Bottom

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Word has come in from Warren Pfeiffer that his Chino Racer, named Trax, is finding good lines in some weaker surf. Although not having quite the bottom end glide of his other 2 G-Mats, Trax is finding her way through  some weaker inside sections, getting far more water time than expected in over the Aussie summer.

Warren Pfeiffer - G-Mat Chino Racer

I've found similar results over the last couple of sessions. I've ridden my Chino Racer, Turd Surfer, in some of the recent solid swells and found myself getting into a good glide as waves backed off on the inside. I initially put this down to the experimental rocker profile that Turd Surfer has has, but Trax has a full on elastic rocker. The conclusion, then, is that this model actually has a much better bottom end than we initially thought. As a result, I've edited the Slide Guide to reflect this.

With our solid run of surf continuing in the Northern Hemisphere, I'm looking forward to testing the top end a bit more over the coming weeks.

Cheers

G

Introducing - THE CHINO RACER

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You will have seen pics of the latest model before, I'm sure. I'm pleased to announce that this 4-Pontoon model has now been tested thoroughly. The verdict... It loves good powerful waves (hence the pun on "Rhino Chaser" for which I make only a moderate apology). Here's the blurb:

G-MAT CHINO RACER

The 4 pontoon Chino Racer is the “gun” of the G-Mat range, being the choice for waves overhead and bigger, or heavier and hollow smaller surf. Tested in solid conditions, the feedback has universally been that this mat needs a decent wave to get going but when it does, it is really quick from the off, giving a very assured and predictable hold. Warren Pfeiffer has described this model as “feeling like it is locked on rails”.

The mat is relatively narrow and the 4 pontoon design reduces the overall volume making it easier to get under waves.  The I-Beam configuration through the middle pontoons features 2 lower I-beams with a slightly taller central I-Beam giving a concave through the bottom and increased stability through the centre line.

200/70 configuration (200 denier deck and 70 denier bottom skin). 

Pretty much all conditions covered then.

With a number of models of mat now in the G-Mat range, I've knocked out a wee diagram to help customers to think about what might best suit their needs. I call it the "Slide Guide".

Happy New Year!!!

G

Signing Off with a Wee Gem

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G-Mat 68 (AKA Buckwheat)

So, here's my last post of the year as I pack up G-Mat Towers to spend some quality time with family, friends and waves.

I'm signing off with some shots of my latest build, a G-Mat Rubber Bucky built for cold water mat legend, John "Bagjuan" Mann of Washington State, USA.

John is what we mat builders refer to as "compact". As a result,  his mat (named Buckwheat) is comparatively small.  I would be a happy man if I could see Buckwheat and Matt Pierce's mat,  California King side by side. It would look like a mattress and pillow combo!

Anyway, Buckwheat is en route and John tells me that he and his son are awaiting arrival.

Les BagsDeux

So, back to the wrap up, it's been a great first full year. I'm so stoked to have been able to build mats for so many people. The waiting list is currently going to keep me busy for the next 6 plus months so it's onwards and upwards!

Thanks to all my customers for all their support.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

G

California King - A Big Mat for Big Matt

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I have just built a monster. This is "California King", a G-Mat Ute for the 6' 7" wookie that is Matt Pierce, OC mat charger. California King is Matt's 3rd G-Mat and this time he's going BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG!!!!!!!!

Matt asked for this 70/70 monster to have added grip at the nose to save unwanted separation, hence the snow-capped corners. This is a very lightweight mat  which has been scaled to fit Matt's colossal dimensions.

As you might expect, Matt has largely learned his mat riding on craft which are comparative travel pillows so this will be a new experience for him, which which may require some adjustment. I know he's relishing the challenge and I know that a rider of his immense talent will do it with ease.

I'm hopeful that California King will open up new waves for Matt.

This has been a real fun build and I'm really looking forward to hearing the feedback.

G

California King next to an average sized mat.

Matt and his Mat

RAMBO!!!!!!!!!!

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With the Approaching Lines Slyder Cup approaching this weekend I thought I might treat myself to an early Christmas present.  

This is G-Mat 67 (AKA "Rambo").

Rambo is a 70/70 Ute, gripped with Sikaflex 11FC+I've been toying with the idea of creating camo for some time and the recent acquisition of green fabric seemed to be the perfect opportunity.  As for the jungle pattern, well maybe that was overkill but I'm pretty pleased overall.

So then... Off to the Slyder Cup I go and it sounds like quite a few of my UK Mat surfing brethren will be going along too so it promises to be a blast. You can keep up with all that here:

http://forum.ukmatsurfers.org/post/slyder-cup-the-slydie-bit-7160969?&trail=15

If you're in the south west of the UK over the weekend then come along.

Cheers

G

Adrian, Ripley... Ripley, Adrian...

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UK matter, Adrian Paterson has taken the plunge with a Rubber Bucky. He likes a glidy mat so he and "Ripley" should get along just fine.

Ripley is 200/70 and very well vented. She has Sikaflex EBT grip (rather than Sikaflex 11FC+), providing a significantly more robust type of traction to keep things together in a wetty during what looks like it's going to be a cracking UK winter.

I hope to be surfing with Adrian at his first outing. I love the way these ride so can't wait to see it.

Cheers

G


Warren's Other New Toy - "Trax"

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I've been working hard to get up to speed with the waiting list of late, since my illness a while ago. I'm back on track finally, having been working, perhaps a little too hard, having been working on two at a time. I know... Boo hoo!

I will slow down slightly though to my usual pace.

Anyway, enough whining. Here is the second mat in a pair going out for Warren Pfeiffer which he has named Trax.

Say hello to Trax.

This is another of the 4 pontoon design that I've been working on. I'm pretty sure that this will become a model in the G-Mat range, but I want to get a few more miles from able test pilots just to finalize exactly what the performance attributes of this design are.

There are few more able than Warren.

As you can see, Trax has a white deck and Warren lives in a pretty sunny spot. We've stuck some smooth black sealant on the deck to reduce glare back off the deck.

The bottom skin is the new 70d taffeta which I have in stock. This material is proving to be extremely popular with the next 3 mats in line looking to have green in the mix too!

Gentle elastic rocker and a Hestered valve.

As you can see from the shot above, Warren has opted again for a Hester Valve placement. I've also made a double bag for the two mats to be stored together. I'm giving some thought to how to build bags for more mats, should people want them when ordering multiple mats.

Double mat bag.

Black anti glare on the nose saves on snow-blindness!

I'm pretty excited to hear how this mat works out for Warren. Although wider than his new Ute, Max, this mat has a lot less volume so I'm really interested to hear about his experiences with Trax in solid surf.

Should be in Oz for next weekend.

Cheers

G

Warren's New Toy - "Max"

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G-Mat 60 (AKA "Max")


Meet Warren Pfeiffer's newest ride named Max.

There are a lot of similarities between Max and Warren's previous G-Mat, Zeno, 

There are a couple of differences though.

Like Zeno, Max is a 200/70 Ute with slightly squarer back corners than normal to enhance the speed. However, the front corners have the more usual Ute template with a slightly larger parabolic curve to prevent them from catching.  Max also has a  Hestered Valve with the grip on the middle pontoon going a long way forward.

The final difference is the subtle elastic rocker. I really think I'm going to start doing these as standard. Shaped rockers are OK, but you notice them when you really need to get that top gear out of a mat with the excess fabric and the natural propensity for the mat to settle into a curve causing them to red line on occasion. The elastic rocker really is the best of both worlds. There when you need it and flat when you don't.

Anyway, Warren has another mat in production so won't be getting his hands on Max just yet as both will go out together, but I'm hopeful he enjoys Max.

Cheers

G

Extended grip on the central pontoon.

Elastic rocker. There when you need it, flat when you don't.

Wiggleworm. The bungee that never was...

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G-Mat 64 (AKA "Wiggleworm")

I'm immensely proud to be able to say that I have just finished building a Ute for the genuinely heroic Scott Reeder. For more on why I say heroic, have a read of Scott's interview with UKMS.

 So then, on to the mat. Scott was pretty clear on what he wanted: a black decked, green bottomed 200/70 Ute. He also wanted a bungee at the nose.

All went well with the build and my new forest green 70 denier material is great, but I've recently re-stocked on stainless steel eyelets which are, inexplicably, razor sharp around the edges once fitted making them unusable for the leash fitting as they'll just push through the edge-lap and come out! Who the hell designed that!?

The first mat built with the new 70d taffeta

Anyway, I'm sure Scott will enjoy his decorative eyelet whilst terrorizing the San Diegan lineups on his new leash-free ride.  (If anyone knows of a good European based stockist who can supply sensible stainless steel eyelets than I'd be very excited to hear from you).

So, back to the bits that work, Scott's new mat has a mellow elastic rocker to help to project the mat off the bottom. The clue to this feature is in the name, using the elasticity of the bottom skin to create rocker at high inflation. This means that a slight rocker comes in to play when squeezing the rails on hard turns, but then springs back to being flat again on lower inflation to maximise speed on a flat plane.

Anyhoo, Scott has named her "Wiggleworm" which he tells me is because he likes the way G-Mats "wiggle" and also in homage to his wonderful wife Pam who he affectionately calls "Worm". 

Have fun Scott!

Cheers

G

Elastic rocker comes into effect at high inflation

Project Jeff

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Bonjour Mes Amis!

This is a post about a G-Mat Ute which has gone out to my Celtic Brother, Jean-Francois Mens (better known as Jeff) from Brittany.

Jeff has gone for a Ute which he has named "Redenn": the Breton word for "slide". He's opted for an all black 200/70 mat with plenty of grip. 

Right now he's on Belle-Ile, an Island off Brittany so Redenn has gone there in the hope of waves.

G-Mat 63 (AKA "Redenn")

I really enjoyed building this mat because she is going to surf waves which are very close to my heart, namely the breaks around Douarnenez, Audierne and La Torche. I've taken a couple of trips to this area myself and will be going back more. The people are amazing countryside is reminiscent of my beloved Cornwall 20 years ago and the waves are varied, high quality and quiet.

Here are a few shot I took on our last trip in 2011:

So then, the first G-Mat to hit the European Mainland is due to surf some of my favourite places. That makes me happy.

I hope Jeff and Redenn have a blast. 

Cheers

G