Well, I finally figured it out and I’m sold. I have become one of the growing Diciples of Dale, a Nuematic Novice in the Church of the Holy Bag…If you’ve delt with Dale for any time, you’ll know what I’m talking about…Initially I thought, “What a curious guy, hawking 1950’s era sea toys like they were some newfangled, sophisticated surfcraft. He sounds like he’s still flashing on some fine 'pane from 1970…” As I read more and more of his posts here, I thought, “No, there still a wiff of Patchouli Oil, but this guy knows his stuff. What the hey, maybe he’s on to something. Greenough was my hero in the late 60’s so if its good enough for him…” I ordered one up and tried it out on a trip to Maui. As I later told Dale, it felt like I was riding a jelly fish…sideways! Dale was bummed but told me to stay on it. Back on the mainland, I tried again in crappy beach break. I felt something good on a couple of waves…enough to spur one more outing at a better spot. That was a couple of sessions ago. Now I get it. I’ve been riding all manner of hard boards for over 40 years and I know I will continue but…the feeling you get on a mat is indescribable…everything Dale and his riders say is true. You just have to give in to it and go with the flow. All of our talk about rocker, concaves, v’s, bonzer bottoms, rails and yes, even flex tails are rendered moot after you mastered the mat basics. I surely don’t profess to be good bagger at this point, but I can hold an edge and push the air around a little. “All in good time, Grasshopper, all in good time!” There is a wonderful alternative to hard boards. If you feel the least bit jaded about surfing or if you want to “feel” surfing like you never will be able to on a hard board, give one a try…I’m not sure who said this first, but riding over a white water section on a mat is like riding a bag full of kittens… “Try it, you’ll like it” The Book of Dale Ch.1 V.2 Newbs
That’s great stuff Newbs! Dale’s mats really are magic carpets! Keep goin with the flow!
i agree wholeheartedly. riding one of dale’s mats is different. the feeling is…just so organic. try one, you won’t regret it. i honestly do not know why everyone doesn’t have one in their quiver, seems as though everyone that rides one eventually says the same. longboard, shortboard, paddleboard and mat…not necessarily in that order. dale is one of the best people i have ever encountered, however, no offense to dale, but even if he was the biggest prick i would still haveto have one of those magic bags, they are that good.