I have several questions concerning surf mats since I’m considering plinking $300 bucks(US) down on one. 1) Do you guys wear leashes and how do you duckdive, get under the sets, or paddle out in heavy surf when the only way out is getting pounded for a while?? 2) is there a technique to catching waves before longboarders with these? if so what do you do?? 3) are these surfmats sensitive to getting leaks or are they durable like the more durable rubber,canvas matts of my youth. 4)One guy wrote of squishing the front two corners together to firm the rails while riding, what other routines does a matt surfer do to control the matt. 5) How durable is a $300 matt good for , several seasons of heavy use???
I have several questions concerning surf mats since I’m considering plinking $300 bucks(US) down on one. 1) Do you guys wear leashes and how do you duckdive, get under the sets, or paddle out in heavy surf when the only way out is getting pounded for a while?? I don’t wear a leash - I find I can duck dive or submerge while holding on to a bungie cord grab line Dale put on mine. I haven’t had to do it but I’ve heard you can deflate it, swim out (diving under sets) and reinflate once outside. 2) is there a technique to catching waves before longboarders with these? if so what do you do?? I’ve heard George Greenough can do it. I’m sure there is a technique but I sure can’t figure it out - in fact, I find myself taking off later than I normally would on a longboard. High performance swim fins and some practice kicking will help you a lot. 3) are these surfmats sensitive to getting leaks or are they durable like the more durable rubber,canvas matts of my youth. No leaks but I treat mine carefully. It is very light and though durable, I suspect anything sharp could punture it pretty easily. Mine came with a repair patch but I haven’t had to use it. I don’t know how they compare (durability wise) with the old canvas mats but Dale’s are way lighter! 4)One guy wrote of squishing the front two corners together to firm the rails while riding, what other routines does a matt surfer do to control the matt. I find that angling in on the takeoff and dragging my inside fin allows me to set up my trim. Once trimmed, it really seems to take care of itself. It is a very unique ride… I feel like I’m freefalling at the same time I’m getting sucked up the face yet the thing somehow stays in trim! 5) How durable is a $300 matt good for , several seasons of heavy use??? I rinse mine off and again, treat it carefully. I expect it will last a long time. Note - Today (7/1/03)I had my best session by far on my mat. That’s why I’m responding. I am relatively new to matting and found it a little frustrating at first but caught many long rides today and feel like I’m getting the hang of it. Dale’s mats are light weight/high performance surfcraft but in a different way than a high performance shortboarder might expect. After struggling in crowds and crappy waves I’ve decided that giving it a go in some good uncrowded waves got me over the hump. Dale is a good guy and very responsive to questions you might have before and after your purchase.
hal, I ordered my mat from Dale without a leash. The nonskid surface is really grippy, so I rarely find myself separated from the mat. Duckdiving technique depends on personal preference. In tiny waves I angle the nose upward and hop over the whitewater. Paddling out in larger surf, I grab the two front corners and dive down under the wave. Because the mat doesn’t have the leverage of a surfboard, I wait till the last second before going under. Timing is important. Dive too early and you’ll pop up before the wave’s energy has passed over. I try to aim for the seam between the smooth water of the wave’s trough and the foamy whitewater. A good pair of swimfins and less air in the mat makes it much easier. Quality fins and low inflation level also help with catching waves. When a swell comes in, look for chop or pockets in the water surface that can potentially pull you into the wave. I try to latch on to these “handles” by creating reverse rocker with my mat/body. Extend the surfmat out with your arms, flex the nose downward and kick hard. The bumpier the conditions, the better your chances of catching and riding unbroken swells. I’ve had my Neumatic for a little over 1 year and it’s still in impeccable condition. 100% airtight! Dale says that some people have owned their Neumatic’s for years. The same can’t be said for other, low-quality mats that I have tried. The cheapo’s lasted anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of hours before taking on water. Interestingly enough, surfmats are usually at their best when they have become worn and broken-in. “One guy wrote of squishing the front two corners together to firm the rails while riding, what other routines does a matt surfer do to control the matt.” I try to avoid doing anything that forces the mat to drastically change its shape or rocker. Squeezing and releasing a corner or edge is all that’s really needed to “build” a rail. Slightly rolling your body side-to-side is another way to drive and bank through turns. Keeping your head and chest low increases the contact surface between you and the surfmat. This way, your reaction to the wave’s energy as it resonates through the mat almost becomes intuitive. I haven’t found much use in dragging arms, legs or fins. A simple, minimalist approach seems to be the most effective. The surfmat naturally wants to find sweet spot on the wave. Unnecessary dancing and posturing by the rider will only get in its way.
Hal, here are a few answers and insights to your questions: 1) “I’m considering plinking $300 bucks (US) down on one.” “I am from the East Coast (surf Long Island breaks) and surf a number of different Neumatics. They are worth every penny and then some.” (Tim Campbell) “Go to the archives. All of your possible questions will be answered there. Then get your pen and your checkbook ready. Ask ask Dale if he will please make you a surfmat. There are alot of lousey ways to spend $300.00 in the water sports industry. This surfmat, is not one of them!” (xxxxx) “If any of the surfboard guys put in to their boards what Dale puts in his mats (I’m talking about research and development, time, labor, materials and support) the boards would be $1000.00 minimum. He not only custom designs and hand builds for each customer out of the highest quality nylon fabrics, but runs a complete support network as well… I bought one of Dale’s mats and the entire experience, from initial contact to the delivery of the final product was very professional. A finer, more personalized product of any kind would be hard to find anywhere and he is always there to answer any questions. I consider my 295 bucks to have been well spent.” (John Mellor) “Kevin, Try one of Dales mats with an open mind and u will become a believer like the rest of us. Nothing else goes quite like them, I rarely surf anything else these days, they are really quite bullet proof if treated correctly and will give a long service life. They are custom made by a craftsman and at $300 they are actually cheap if the truth be known.” (Warren Pfeiffer) “Absolutely the best money (of any amount) I have ever spent on anything related to the ocean…” (Newbs aka Lee V.) 2) Do you guys wear leashes and how do you duckdive, get under the sets, or paddle out in heavy surf when the only way out is getting pounded for a while?? “Other than the unique ride (like bodysurfing with more speed and control), the best thing I like about using one is swimming out to the break with the mat rolled up in your hand; you just dive under the white water, kick them flippers, pop out the back, and keep on going without a pause or a setback. Once outside, you tread water, blow up the thing, and you are ready to go.” (Mr. Doof in Surfermag forum) 3) is there a technique to catching waves before longboarders with these? if so what do you do?? “…The surfmat is so fast and frictionless that you can actually catch and ride unbroken swells. Closeout waves become makeable and stormy, nasty conditions transform into dream sessions… A good surfmat will let you go places on a wave and travel at speeds unimagined with even the fastest, most maneuverable surfboard.” (Tony Lum) “…had a great session today. paddled full steam across a peak. thing looked like a long wall and i was deep but i was also in real early. had so much speed paddling sideways that the wave just kind of grew under me and i was up and planing. never felt a drop so to speak. really got a good feeling on that one. i saw a few supprised looking faces and i had pretty good speed up. i was up and moving and guys who were 30 yards down the line who started paddling just gave it up when they saw me bombing across. i easily made the end section they were trying to paddle into. was at least as far out as the farthest logger when i grabbed it…” (James Sowell) 4) are these surfmats sensitive to getting leaks or are they durable like the more durable rubber, canvas matts of my youth. 5) How durable is a $300 matt good for, several seasons of heavy use??? “And we sincerely love you for all of those dedicated years of focused concentration. The results speak for themselves, and anybody that dosen’t believe that, hasn’t been paying attention, and certainly hasn’t ever seen one of your fine custom surf mats. T hanks again for taking the time to make the one that I ordered for my father for Christmas. He loves it, and I love it, and everybody around here that has seen it, has been blown away my the meticulous attention to detail. Keep up the fine, fine work Mr Solomonson. To bad there aren’t more craftsman around of your caliber… have fun” (Coral) Also see #(1) testimonials. 5) One guy wrote of squishing the front two corners together to firm the rails while riding, what other routines does a matt surfer do to control the matt. “… My surfmat is very maneuverable. It?s capable of long, projected turns as well as quick, pivotal direction changes. While turning, I try to avoid pulling up on the rails or using my elbows as leverage. These techniques seem to disrupt the mat?s bottom surface, killing speed and directional momentum. There are no fins. Control comes from your grip and body position. A more successful approach is to keep your head and torso low to the mat. When you begin to bank a turn, squeeze the edge of the mat and roll your body in the direction of the turn. Sometimes you?ll swear the surfmat is up and running on a razor sharp edge. You can draw out your turn or tighten the arc into a full carving roundhouse. Releasing your grip while you exit a turn will flatten the planning surface and send you flying…” “… Timing when and how to roll my body and grip the front corners of the mat to firm up the rail is almost coming naturally by now. No matter how many times I feel it, I’ll never get over the incredibly sharp, crisp turns your can get from those big, soft, round rails of the surfmat. It’s like magic!” (Tony Lum) — When all is said and done… less is more: “…What a treat to find such a pure form of wave riding that seems to have no boundaries of speed or control… Today was a testament to riding a mat in conditions that really wouldn’t attract too many board riders. Windblown, shifty kind of slop that is so frustrating on any kind of standup board. The mat works as advertised, high speed glides through the flats and into the back of the next section. Hmm… kind of like a Cadillac cruising down a bumpy road…” (Tom Sterne) “… pure watercraft” (Derek Hynd) http://neumaticsurfcraft.homestead.com/NeumaticSurfcraftwebsite.html
the Neumatic SurfCraft website is kind of threadbare, thats why I posted here, and I appreciate all the answers from everyone and Don Soloman(*). And I am jazzed about its purported capabilities BUT… However, in addition to the website being thread bare, it also includes a picture of some guy on a mat going right, that could have been easily taken off the label of a mat sold at WalMart. Where are the pictures of early takeoffs, people riding waves before they have broken, or somebody zoomin down the line pictorially that displays the speed of these. It there another website that deals with mat riding?? Additionally, I noticed D. Solomon is full of quotes but doesnt really himself answer questionsat least for my post), in some cases the cutn’paste quote is not really a perfect match, as it relates one persons experience and not a summary of knowledge. Is this becaause D.Soloman makes mats but doesnt really ride them??( I dont know, thats why I am asking) I’ve got 30 years surfing experience and I want to go for what you guys say the mat has to offer, but I want some authority with accumulated knowledge to definitivly answer the questions. If I were to email Don Solomon as the website suggests would my questions be answered by quotes or would I get authoritative answers?
Well to help put things perpestive, I rode my mat(Dale’s) for the first time sunday in 2-5’ wind blown slop at Manresa. For the first hour I felt like super klutz, missing waves, falling off, pearling, then I started applying what Dale and other’s have said about unlearning what you have done on other surfcraft (I surf (40+ years) on footboards, kneeboards, boogie, sailboards, and kayaks)and things started to click. There were a number of boardsurfers out and none were catching anything worthwhile. I was picking up the slop way outside of the lineup and literally gliding over the flats into the reforms on the inside. The speed was surprising and as I got the feel for body position (head down, arms to the side and not pushing down under me like on a bodyboard)I got faster. I haven’t figured out how to angle yet but I have a pretty good idea what I need to do. The mat was a kick and I can see the potential. Things I noted about Dale’s mat after riding it for only two hours: 1) Light and seems very durable. 2) Great non-skid. Can’t image riding a mat without it. 3) Super valve. I fooled around with the air pressure alot while out in the water. I think on big days, swimming out with the mat deflated would be the way to go. Takes about 30 seconds to inflate. 4) This things has endless possibilities in terms of tuning (air press.) and riding technique.
Hi Hal, It seems like most of your questions have been answered by the other folks here. I’m one of Dale’s satisfied customers and I’d just add another happy quote to the chorus. There are also some informative surfmat discussions online at http://groups.msn.com/InflateAbleDreamSpeed. Cheers!
Hal, Yes, my current website is simple. Its present function is mainly as a directional sign for those who are interested in learning more about what I build. Surfers and watermen from around the world contact me by email and phone. The mat surfer shown on my site hasnt been removed from a Wal-Mart air mattress label. If you knew me, youd know better. FYI, the riders name is Steven K. Josepsberg, owner of the S K Josefsberg Studio (http://www.skjstudio.com/). The photo was taken in Maui. Feel free to contact him for verification and testimony, either by email (skj@skjstudio.com) or phone (1-503-241-9112). In fact, regarding my surf mats "purported capabilities", Ill be happy to connect you with numerous other customers and friends whod be delighted to share their opinions... many of their comments can also be read by means of the Swaylocks archives, try entering "surf mat", "surfmat" or "Dale Solomonson". The custom equipment I build is used around the world in a very wide range of waves and surface conditions. Highly experienced surfers like George Greenough, Warren Pfeiffer and Kenny Hughes prefer and recommend them to others. Yes, Ive always been short on “action” photos/video… sorry. Yet ironically, I do have some nice shots that the surfers/photographers have politely requested I keep to myself. The reason for that would be obvious if you saw them. But I can tell you that Derek Hynd and professional photog Nathan Smith have some recent, very good shots of Warren Pfeiffer at Angourie, NSW, and that George Greenough is also working on some new mat surfing images. The lions share of what continues to propel Neumatic Surfcraft is hardcore feedback and support... word-of-mouth. Nothing is more authoritative than that. Im “full of quotes”? Yeah… as often as appropriate, I like to let my customers speak for themselves. Besides, Ive written/spoken extensively to most all of them... and they usually end up communicating better than I do! Among other things, Ive designed, built and ridden surf mats since the early 1970s. In 1982, I made the original prototype of the modern generation of ultralight surfmats for George Greenough. But youre correct in that I havent been able to surf for about three years. Ive had several serious injuries which have (temporarily) made even my daily work schedule a frequent hardship. Im simply doing the best I can. Ive chosen to view my present situation as a bit of a blessing in disquise, because if I were as active as I used to be before the injuries occurred, there would be no time to commercially produce custom mats… They`d only be created for me. I hope that helps answer some of your questions. Dale http://neumaticsurfcraft.homestead.com/NeumaticSurfcraftwebsite.html
Dear “hal”- Learn to spell personal pronouns. Use the Swaylocks archives. Try “surfmat”. How simple is that? Neu mats arent "purported". Theyre “proven”. Worldwide. User-friendly. Speed. Performance. Designed years beyond the skill levels of most riders. Period. Check it out: http://groups.msn.com/InflateAbleDreamSpeed Ask the really tough questions. That website is loaded with “authoritative accumulated knowledge”. Could be youll learn something. You have 3 decades of surfing experience? So sorry. Be prepared to "unlearn" if you get one of Dales mats. Youre in for a big shock. The upside? Mat surfing will probably be more fun than youve had in about… 30 years!
That inflatabledreams website is pretty good, just what I’m looking for. Thanks to all, especially the tardy Ricky C.
You nailed Chris C., the essence of learning how to ride a Neumatic surfcraft is leaving your ego and past standup experience behind. It is a very humbling experience, especially with 3 decades of water time. Without a doubt however, once some of the basics are learned (read that UNLEARNED) it can lead to a whole new outlook on ideal surf conditions at your local break. In my case I found that I now have a new muscle group that aches after a session…my face hurts from grinning so much. Tom S.
Since I’m probably the guy who wrote about squeezing the corners to firm up the rails I thought I’d pop in with my latest observations. Seems like a lot of people with 30 plus years of surfing experience are having a lot of fun messing about on mats. The more I use mine the less sure I am if I really know what I’m doing on it. Doesn’t seem to bother me though. Dawn patrols went up about 500% after I got the mat just out of increased interest. I’m also the guy who once wrote that laying on a mat was unlike laying on any other surfcraft… warm in cold water for me, made me think it was like laying on Buffy The Vampire Slayer. My bad. No offense intended. Just felt like laying on something alive. Riding the mat most of the time is forcing me to start going out at crowded point breaks and having fun there again. Supposedly paddling out on a mat will garner a whole ration of caca; it’s unclear to me how this will be any different from what I get on a longboard or hybrid. I haven’t unlocked any mysteries by riding a mat, and riding one poorly at that I suspect. The mat, however, seems to me to be a key which unlocks a sense of freedom and enthusiasm which has been hard to find or maintain for me in recent years.
(Nels): “The mat, however, seems to me to be a key which unlocks a sense of freedom and enthusiasm which has been hard to find or maintain for me in recent years.” Please elaborate on your cryptic “sense of freedom and enthusiasm”. I love a good mystery.
The thing I found recently that I really liked about riding one is that you can be so damn lazy and still make the wave!
They have the unusual characteristic of finding and accelerating across the natural lines of energy in most waves, with minimal rider effort… Be still, and your mat will teach you. http://neumaticsurfcraft.homestead.com/NeumaticSurfcraftwebsite.html
Rockered Mats vs. UnRockered Mats what are the tradeoffs?
No real mystery…just “bored with the board”…crowd freakage in Southern California…mundanity of modern life where The Thrill is in making The Purchase, the experiences of life being over once the cash or credit transaction has been made, nevermind the goods in question or their intended uses. Would you rather have a classic period piece surfboard in A-plus collector condition on your living room wall, or the most memorable surfboard you’ve ever ridden? Would you rather have a mint condition edition of the one surf magazine that ruined your life and turned you into an almost literal surf fiend, or your original donut-grease stained copy? Trying a mat, for me, threw me back into a place where everything in surfing is new again. I know waves, the details, but I did/do not know how to make a bag of air sing. Dale and the rest of the handful can offer advice and observations but in the end it comes down to kicking over the edge and seeing what happens. After 43 years of riding waves in various modes, and yes 33 of them standing up, I have to say it’s a rare thing to find something with mystery. And somewhere in the mystery may lie magic…
Hal, Regarding the mats that I build, both flat and rockered work very well in a wide range of waves and surface conditions. All that Ive been building for a while now have been the rockered ones. Even though my labor is more for the rockered mats, my current price is the same for both. I recommend the rockered mats because theyre the best equipment I can presently offer. My rockered mats feature a slightly elastic bottom and some (internal) structural changes. The rocker is also very slight, just a 3/4" to 1" break from the straight on each end, and thats only at maximum air capacity. Even though they feel a bit looser to the experienced, they can still project the same long arcs as the flat designs. Under the right conditions theyre also faster. While those overall differences in performance can be an advantage to riders who have a higher level of competance, they initially mean very little to novices. Bear in mind that rocker, as it`s applied in my surf mats, is not the equivalent of rocker in surfboards. Unlike all other solid surfcraft, surf mats function in three dimensions, constantly adapting and changing their template, thickness flow, rocker/torque, rail contour, buoyancy distribution, etc. They always seek the paths of least resistance. Modern surf mats are an enigma, a deceptively sophisticated air interface. Their final, master shaper is the wave itself. Dale http://neumaticsurfcraft.homestead.com/NeumaticSurfcraftwebsite.html
I am very stoked to be a newbie again Dales mats have gotten me out into the water more in the last 2 weeks then i had ridden in 6 months prior at first it was the hey this is b.s. im a really good rider and this stupid mat will not win. i commited 1 week to surfing nothing but the mat if i could not get a good ride in 1 week it was over now its the rides that are stoking me im going on my third week and still riding the mat my first session was somewhat similar to wresteling with a waterbed good thing the mat cost me 300 $ or i might have just rolled it up and stuck it in a closet at that point obviously the people posting all these quotes about the mats speed abilitys were either total kooks or i still wasnt getting it by my 3rd session i was getting fun waves nothing great 5th session had me feeling more confident i trusted i wasnt in the way and could make my shoulders i take my place in the line up again no more a kook now on my tenth session yesterday i finnaly felt it i can report these mats are fast i have lost my skeptisism and can even claim its damn fast maybe faster then anything else i could have ridden yesterday in those same conditions. 4 things i can say for certain right now about dales mats 1 they are comfertable to lay on and paddle much better then any surfboard or boogie i have ever layed upon 2 they are really well made and worth the money he charges 3 they can effectivly ride waves even if you are riding them more wrong then right 4 they can go really fast if you do the right things at the right times sometimes the right thing is nothing at all or maybe a tiny squeeze of your hand on a corner trust me the mats can rip bottem line is if you have an open mind theres a place for a mat in your quiver James