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For Sale

A quick note for you in the SoCal area.

I was in the Patagonia - Cardiff shop over the weekend.

A nice group of folks, some of which ride mats.

Over in the board room was an actual Neumatic Surf Mat



bitchen photo above by Ken McKnight

This particular mat is for sale!!

No not the one in the photo, the one at the Patagonia - Cardiff store!

No waiting.

No kidding!

Comments

borntoloser said…
Wow! I wonder if patagonia is going to keep one in stock regularly? It sure would be nice to have an off-the-shelf option in the event of mat-tastrophe.
March 26, 2008 at 9:32 PM
23 Breaths said…
A - just what I was thinking about a mat-tastrophe! But Dale is such a great guy to work with, that's definately part of the fun! Also in my mat lust haze (my wifes words) I didn't ask the cost! It is just nice to see one in a shop! The guys I spoke with at Patagonia were very knowledgeable and had mats themselves. Even at my favorite local shop I get blank stares and "what's that?".
March 27, 2008 at 7:06 AM
borntoloser said…
I had the pleasure to surf with Ken McKnight yesterday. Fun to get together with another mat rider- especially a guy who is seriously knowledgeable about the dynamics of inflatable fun. We need to schedule a mat- meet for socal sometime. Any time look really good on your calendar?
March 27, 2008 at 7:30 PM
23 Breaths said…
I generally have Sat and Sun open for surfing. James used to organize occasional SoCal get togethers at T-Street. We would need somewhere centrally located. I have heard that cottons is a good mat wave. But anywhere is ok with me.
March 28, 2008 at 6:46 AM
J.P. said…
You know what would probably work good? A surf mat with the same outline as a Fish Simmons (like the one Ian Zamora was riding at the AB3). I keep wanting to round off those front square corners on surf mats. Can we do it?
March 28, 2008 at 7:41 PM
23 Breaths said…
JP - The deal with mat is the whole thing flexs like Resin-X on steroids! The outside front corner of the mat gets manually crushed to move air over to the remaining structure of the mat. The whole thing gets reshaped as you ride! and take off like a bat out of hell. Ken can fill you in. PS I HATE to start someone with such a steller quiver as you have down the mat path but give it a go!
March 28, 2008 at 7:58 PM
LESider said…
could you imagine jp turning into a mat addict! Haaaa!
gives a whole new meaning to tri fins are dangerious.
Oh and quads are even more and those griffin 5 fins forget about it!
April 2, 2008 at 2:47 PM
pranaglider said…
lesider - "the converts are always the most fervent and avid believers"
April 4, 2008 at 7:03 AM
Anonymous said…
"You know what would probably work good? A surf mat with the same outline as a Fish Simmons (like the one Ian Zamora was riding at the AB3). I keep wanting to round off those front square corners on surf mats. Can we do it?" (j.p.)

Sure. It's been done.

With all due respect... your question is based on conventional hard board assumptions.

Also a fundamental misunderstanding
of how and why good mats function.

Surf mats are an active air interface, an independent suspension system between surfer and wave.

Mats are flexible and malleable.

No other wave riding vehicle freely adapts it's length, width, thickness, buoyancy distribution and camber.

Mats feel alive, intimately responding to both the rider, as well as the wave's curves, even its textures.

Surf mats are shape-shifters.
April 4, 2008 at 9:12 AM
23 Breaths said…
Anon - thanks for the comments. For of you playing the home game this may be Dale, Paul, George, James, Warren or Ken. There are definately a few others. But definately someone who knows the mat. So pay attension! I know I am.
April 7, 2008 at 10:32 AM
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