Surf Sufficient - How To Mat Surf with Daniel Thomson

Episode 61
www.korduroy.tv
Developed in 1933, the surf mat has been one of the more undercover alternative surf crafts providing surfers with an exhilarating, fast ride for years, turning seemingly bad waves into a more than worthwhile session. What most people don't realize is that while they may not be designed for high-flying aerial antics like a body board, they are however, high performance wave riding vehicles, allowing for super fast speed runs along the perfect trim spot that each ridden wave offers.
In this episode of Surf Sufficient, shaper/surfer Daniel Thomson shares some tips on how to optimize your ride. Changing the internal pressure of the mat by squeezing and gripping the fabric, the rider can alter the thickness, buoyancy and rocker, therefore changing speed and control of the mat.
The air pressure is the key. A surf mat requires less air in smaller, flatter waves and a bit more air in larger more powerful waves. However, experienced mat riders prefer to ride a softer inflation as doing this allows the mat to run faster over the water. A mat rider can experience many different levels of riding performance by simply adjusting the mats air pressure between rides.
For more info, check out: www.korduroy.tv/store/83182952
Host
Daniel Thomson
www.tomosurfboards.com
Producer
Cyrus Sutton
Camera/Edit
James Campbell
Chris Olivas
Additional Footage of Mark Thomson
Mick Waters
Music
"Morning Valentine"
The Blank Tapes

[@GMatCustomSurfmats]

J Hoffa, the modern surfmat is barely related to the old style mats and bodyboards relate more closely to surfboards. Mats are more closely related to hovercraft and are completely unique in comparison to any other surfcraft. People struggle with mats being inflatable but you have to ask yourself whether your priority is to expand your experience or to protect your ego. In other words, if you surf for yourself then mats will open up a world of new experience. If you surf to show off to others then get yourself the latest pro model of whatever it is you're in to.

[@Rasputin.Bogard]

lol. Sure buddy. When can we see the mat surf championships? Oh thats right....

[@cycologist7069]

@@Rasputin.Bogard Sure buddy what? That fact that there is not a surf mat championship and never will be (or any surf mat contest) is kind of the point of the very post you are cynically responding to. They are not meant to be any kind of craft for showing off skills.

[@lukecervantes8292]

@@Rasputin.Bogard it's about expanding your experience riding waves not winning titles you kook.. tell us don't know this is the creator of Tomo surfboards.

[@powerlooper9121]

To those disparaging these mats. You don’t have a clue. The old mats were pumped up stiff. I even remember a kid who could ride them standing up. These new mats are soft. I used to ride this giant pillow case called an airbag. Those were developed in the 40s. After World War II. I could fly on that airbag at big Makapu’u. I would takeoff outside in the middle of the bay, as the wave would die out before it reforms again on the inside, I would be spinning, and I would fly through that area until I would drop down another face on the reform. I’m now trying to learn to ride one of these new soft mats. And it is not easy at all. It’s more like riding the old school pear shaped plywood Paipo boards that were popular in the 50s and 60s. Before boogie boards were invented. And leashes. When you really needed to know how to swim to surf.

[@dave9351]

Surf mats we rode as kids in the 60's in Redondo Beach, CA were made of canvas and they inflated them to rock hard water craft ! Interesting to see how little air these mats need to perform so well.

[@alanentermann5617]

Mighty good video. Just sent to Uncle John.

[@XxmattitudexX]

#lowinflationnation one of the best mat videos ever . the advice is so spot on lets see part two soon :)

[@over65]

err, this is exactly what we did in 1965, then kneeboards killed it, then bogie boards killed the knee boards...... The mats were also very comfy to take nap on beach......

[@JimSimcoe]

where can you buy a surfmat? I cannot find one anywhere

[@cycologist7069]

All you have to do is Google. G-mat and 4th Gear Flyers are the two biggest. www.matsurfers.com/mats-makers

[@estelletennent7132]

Where can I get one. I'm in south africa.

[@cycologist7069]

Google is your friend. www.matsurfers.com/mats-makers

[@surfdetective]

#respectthemat

[@MrSinclairio]

Only thing to ride

[@pantone95330]

Can you duck dive with mats ?

[@whatdoesitmatter7073]

Ive heard that they paddle out with it deflated and infate it out at the backline

[@Rasputin.Bogard]

@@whatdoesitmatter7073 lol

[@darrensmith3539]

Ripping OB jetty, my home break. Just don't drink the water

[@cycologist7069]

OB San Diego or OB San Francisco?

[@MrtyMrtn]

so much better than sponge... and a hell of a lot faster!

[@jahkgdm]

Marty Martin tell PLC or Stewart that🤔🤣

[@Rasputin.Bogard]

lol

[@501stHOFFA]

Then they developed this cool board called a Bodyboard and made this inflatable pool toy obsolete!

[@pantone95330]

The surf mat is faster than bodyboards. I ride both of them, the surf mat is harder to learn, but when you start to get the hand on it, you can have really great rides.

[@jahkgdm]

B.M.M come on man. If that was the case you would see guys out at pipe or super fast hollow waves like supersuck on mats instead of bodyboards. I Could see on certain waves maybe equally as fast but super hollow slabby waves. No way!!

[@pantone95330]

It's like comparing shortboards and longboards, they are just different. Bodyboards are way more radical, thus they allow air manoeuvers. Surf mat don't allow that, but they provide great glide and great feeling of speed trimming down the line, which a lot of surfers are happy with.

[@Rasputin.Bogard]

@@pantone95330 Harder to learn?? rofl. You paddle and go.... what skill level is that? Level 0

[@Rasputin.Bogard]

@@jahkgdm exactly

[@Rasputin.Bogard]

This is so stupid. Thanks for the laugh. I ride an MSP EUC so i know about less mainstream stuff but personally i like activities that involve skill progression. Do you think 30 - 40 mins would be enough to totally master this?? lol

[@pantone95330]

"Do you think 30 - 40 mins would be enough to totally master this?? lol" The best way to answer that question is to buy one and give it a try I guess

[@cycologist7069]

Mats take a long time to learn. They slide out like a bar of soap so trimming and staying in control in the wave pocket is not easy to learn and takes awhile to master. I know your just a cynical troll but I figured I'd respond.