How do those rockered mats go compared to the standard ones.
Dale thats the first time i’ve seen your ugly mug. I just clicked on you link at the bottom of swaylocks. Thanks.
Michael- my surfmats are all custom designed… the advanced 4 pontoon mat has a slightly elastic bottom surface with about 3/4" of rocker at 100% inflation. The corner curves are Greenough parabolics, rotary breather valves, polyurethane nonskid, etc. Though these mats run at low pressures, the current material and structural combination offers even less resistance over a very wide range of waves and surface conditions. The result is a bit higher overall speed, better handling and maneuverability… specifically in how the mat sets up trim lines, and drives through carving turns. Regarding the individual in question: http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshot.html?id=40844
Michael, On the rockered mats: “aaa-loooo-haa! Got my mat today surfed the kauai sands alone for 1 hour in 1-2 foot junk wind slop. laughed with joy and pleasure and surprise all at the same time on every ride. The rocker is something else, it naturally wants to traverse, even in slop. Am looking fwd to some am surf tomorrow. If you charged a quarter a smile for each time a customer used one of your mat experiences you’d be a rich man! More later. I concur with Greenough from Inflatable Dreams- it’s not a mode that you could ever get tired of, ever. Hooray for funn (functional understanding not necessary)… surf on Dale” (David Monasevitch) — Dale!! Jim and I baptized the new mats last night at Rights and Lefts. It was just a quickie go out at dusk, 2-3’ with howling offshores. Good thing we didn’t lose em! Although it definitely wasn’t primo road test conditions, you could tell the new rigs are really fast and seem way more maneuverable. They seem a little narrower than our previous ones–I like that. The valve setup is so slick, that’s gonna work out great, even for “Jim the ripper”. He was pretty hard on some of my backup 4th gears in his learning phase!! Actually, we’re all still learning, right? After decades of riding the “modern” mats, I feel like I’m maybe just graduating from apprentice to journeyman…maybe. I learn something new almost every go out. Thanks again for the most amazing water toys on the planet…" (Kenny Hughes) — “OUTRAGEOUS!!! A dream to ride. Well done! What a vision!!! And I haven’t even gotten any good, bigger surf, just small, hollow offshore-carved micro-chambers, and it’s magic. The valve is a thing of wonder. Wow… Well done… Smilin’” (Jim Brady) — “Hey there, Dale – …Caught a really fun day there on Friday – springtime conditions and a fairly substantial swell for this time of year. It was a gorgeous sunny day, the wind was threatening to howl, as it does frequently this season, but it never really ever materialized-- the waves were about head high and sectiony, uneven, and tide super low. And hardly any people. By that I mean there were about 30! But they were spread out, friendly, and fairly non-agro. I didn’t get too many set waves, but got some leftover double-up streakers. Sometimes those are the best ones, the ones that break inside of everyone. Anyway, the new mat was working fantastic. It is so fast, and I love how it turns, seems to get up and carve on an edge more readily than the others. The rocker, perhaps? Last wave was so nice. Took off in the soup on a pretty big one-- I was behind a longboarder but she was stink-buggin it out on the shoulder way up high, and she got edged out as it mushed, then doubled up into a zippering funnel. As usual, the mat went as fast as it needed to–all the way to the beach. I left with my magic towel and a big smile on my face…” (Kenny Hughes) — “Re: Did you grease that thing? Hi Dale, My mat got here yesterday. I was going to wait to take it out on a perfect day, but I couldn’t. Had to go this AM. It was 3-4’ WNW/SW swell. Crossed up w/ SE (side/offshore) wind. Not too good for surfing, but a great day for mat riding. Steep sections and fairly long right and lefts. Bottom line - it’s FAST. I wasn’t ready for it. That thing really goes. Gets in early. Holds a line too. Can’t wait to take it out again. I’ll give you another report as soon as I get used to it. I’ve got a lot to learn and I’m stoked. Thanks so much. It’s better than I expected!” (Greg Hulsizer) — “… the pure watercraft.” (Derek Hynd)
Where I live there are lots of points that are small alot of the time. From what i could gather from you info, the mats go OK in small lined up waves.
Michael, Yes, the surfmats that I build do work best in longer waves, but are definitely not limited to hollow or smooth conditions. In fact they often go even faster over ledges and choppy surfaces. They offer a unique balance of speed and control in a very wide range of waves, from 1-2 feet to 3+ times overhead… used around the world from Angourie to Nias, Big Drakes to Jeffries Bay, and just about everything else in between. Dale
Hmmmm… just where is this land of many points that are small alot of the time? Very interesting.
east coast waves here – they work great – really beach breaks – when it is good – when it is not so good – let the mat speak for itself and order yourself one, or two
1)“How do you surf two mats?” 2)“What do they say when they speak to you?” Please be so kind as to answer us BEFORE you consult your horoscope and start sucking the bong.
the 2nd is for a friend…nothing better than surfing with a friend
I live on the east coast of Australia. Where the points are many the crowds are ridiculous and the swells are few and far between. Actually I just came across 2 pointbreaks that are away from the masses and offer uncrowded if slightly sharky surfing.
Michael, A lot of people would pay good money for the opportunity to surf uncrowded, slightly sharky, point breaks in warm, Australian waters. Are you near Yamba? I have a friend there whos an expert on my surfmats. Theres also George Greenough in Byron Bay. Dale