linked from mat forum (Inflatabledreamspeed at MSN). Posted by screen name hippophagy
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For those of you who have never seen them here are some clips from “Fantasea” and “State of S”. They are both terrific movies and if you like the clips I would recommend buying the movies. These clips are for information purposes only so people can see what experienced mat surfing looks like. The clips are low res.
(I got a big bump up the learning curve by watching the State of S footage off the DVD many times in slow motion. Wasn’t that thrilled with the rest of the movie. It was ok but just. But where else you gonna see a modern Neumatic being really worked?)
oops…not a Neumatic. The first part is old canvas/rubber mats obviously. Dale just pm’d me that the State of S footage was a 4th Gear Flyer not a Neumatic. Oh well. Similar but different. Gotta love those waves in the first part. Endless walls…
Thanks! That’s the best footage of modern mat riding I’ve yet seen. I’m still not entirely clear on where the forces to perform turns are initiated. It looks like the inside fin is used mostly to provide trim control and vertical position adjustment, but also to start turns. But it doesn’t look like enough force is generated to complete the turn. For two different turn types, a slow carve, and a series of “s” turns, how would you say the force is distributed between the fin drag, and the tube channels (controlled by leaning)? Also, I had the impression of considerably lower inflation than what seems to be shown? Are the mats in the clip inflated more than typical because it’s a fairly small day, or is did I have the wrong impression? Thx.
First half is old canvas over rubber mats (late 60’s and 70’s) and they were inflated hard and ridden differently. Last part in small mushy beach break is more modern style mat. Looks fuller than it is in riding as body weight fills it out. Last moment of footage on DVD shows George exiting water w/ mat under arm and you can see it is pretty soft. Normal inflation is between maybe 50% and 75% (the higher inflations for bigger more powerful waves to give more control, lower inflation for more speed).
I haven’t a clue how force is generated. Really I think it isn’t generated so much as extracted from the wave. Modern mats, flippers used to slow you down maybe or to help break loose and control a slide otherwise mostly just for counter balance of weight shifts. Edge control/drive comes from squeezing air towards inside rail and pressing that rail down into the water at the same time. If done properly (not too much, not too little, but…) and at just the right time the mat feels like it is gripping the water and tracking thru the turn much like a hull does.
If you can get some small, lined up, fairly long walls to practice on and remember the secret mantra of matting, “less is more”, you will feel it out. Watch the State of S stuff a number of times. If possible, get the DVD so you can watch in slow motion repeatedly. Then hit the water, try it out and come back and watch the footage some more.
Oh my that is some fine footage. Those weird pivot/sideslips in the white water, the sheer speed, the outrunning sections- it is hoot-out-loud just watching it. Thanks you for posting that link.
if you checked Post Hull Pics thread you may recall i just got a Liddle Pointbreaker, and so far only took it out in some small, weak, beachbreak. (this past Tues)
so this is what happens when you depend on technology too much: I checked buoyweather.com for the swell up this stretch of coast i was goin to this weekend, and it said it was gonna pretty much be the same junk I surfed last tuesday. I decide, “why bother taking my hull?”. Travel light, just take the mat. So guess what? The swell’s small, but it’s got a nice long period - conditions were excellent.
i surfed a rivermouth sandbar that was just a beautiful airbrush painting- just me and one other dude on a board. not too long - 30-40 yd rides, but nice, and perhaps shoulder-high faces only. Nice and slotty tho. don’t think i coulda had that much fun if I did take my hull, or any other surfboard. and since it was silky smooth early this a.m. i managed to do some cutbacks back into the soup and out again. I always had doubts abuot mats carving cutties - but when it’s smooth, it’s a piece of cake!
Thinking about getting a matt for my wife, as she’s pregnant and won’t be able to surf much longer, any suggestions! I don’t want Heather to miss our when we go up to the Hebrides in October. Otherwise I’ll buy her a camera and just be a media slut!
Just wondering, if any of you Mat gents are looking to sell your older mats can you let me know as I want to get one for my wife but can’t wait 8-10 weeks as she will be to far gone!
