Here's a mat for Gus McDiarmid squeezed in on the end of this run to replace a mat that a clumsy log rider ploughed through and destroyed for him. This seems to be a frequent occurrence in the zoo that is Noosa.

So thid mat... "The Cormorant" , as she has been named by Gus, is a 70/70 RB-JMC Super-Free-Breather built with negative rocker to replace his previous mat, "Last Light" (RIP quite literally). Gus was pretty clear that he wanted the same mat, same materials and same ride so here we are. We've changed up the color scheme a touch though. You know me and my monochrome fetish so I'm into this mat.

Gus said:

Lovely stuff. Have fun Gus! We all really enjoyed your recent video.

Now onto building another replacement mat for another Aussie mat surfer, then on to the next run. What is going on down there!?

Cheers

G

If you asked someone to draw you an outdoorsman, they would probably present you with a picture of Joe Grant. Joe is all about immersion in his environment through running, climbing, cycling and exploring deep into the wildest places (check his incredible Insta @alpineworks) so I was really stoked the when he got in on the current run for a custom mat.

So... Say hello to Morning Light, a G-Mat Chino Racer built with a heavy nod to the yacht George Greenough bought and modified to explore hidden places, as documented in the film Crystal Voyager. A perfect fit for Joe.

Joe said:

I checked with George in advance and he was happy to go with the build giving his customary nonchalant "yeah I don't care. Go for it. Sounds fun!"

Aside from the aesthetics, Joe came with a clear idea what he wanted. Something to compliment his RFT2, offering more hold and stability but still able to go in average sized surf. We settled on a 200/70 Chino Racer with restricted air flow which should tick those boxes nicely.

I'm really excited to see where Morning Light goes with Joe. I'll certainly make sure the photos get to GG.

Have fun Joe!

Cheers

G

Here's mat is heading to surf photographer and fringe surfcraft rider, Mattson Culbert.

Mattson lives in San Diego, CA where he rides many types of wave riding vehicles from handplanes, paipo and bodyboards to surfmats.

Mattson said:

Mattson spends most of his time now at the beach breaks, reefs, and one special point break in and around Pacific Beach and La Jolla now.

He chose the name of the “Maddog Mat” for this minty fresh mat after his old nickname while working at CI Surfboards from 2007-2014 before moving to San Diego.

Mattson was pretty clear on wanting an RB-JMC. We tossed around a few ideas but the balls out down the line speed of a 70/70 neg rockered free-breather RB-JMC was what grabbed his attention. So when you see this plus size core lord flying past you on the high line in San Diego, know it’s because of the extra gear in his G-Mat!

Have fun Mattson and keep it minty my brother!

Cheers

G

Housewarming gift for my good friend Bryn Dampney of Kovert Kneeboards.

Bryn has recently moved into the same town as me and, as he'd kidnapped my Chino Racer named Chino Albino, the choice of housewarming present was easy!

I took the liberty of naming this mat for Bryn... Say hello to Bryndarella

As I say, Bryn had been riding the Chino Racer for a while and fed back that he really enjoys the sense of confidence that the extra hold gives, particularly when negotiating sections. A key feature of the Chino Racer is that it does kinda go where you put it. With that in mind, Bryndarella is built to the same specification as Chino Albino: 70d deck and bottom, restricted air flow and free (flat) elastic rocker. Bryn was also a fan of the simple bung style valve so I have fitted one in Bryndarella.

I'm stoked to build this mat for Bryn. He's the absolute definition of a true waterman and is a really good mat rider and solid fixture in the core mat crew I get out in the water with.

Have fun amigo!

Cheers

G

PS Stay tuned for exciting developments with this design.

Say hello to Chango, a G-Mat RB-JMC built for Californian surfboard builder, Tommy Kroll. Tommy is a Super talented craftsman who builds surfboards under the Specialist Surfboards label.

Tommy is also an experienced mat surfer so had a pretty clear sense of what he wanted from the mat.

We explorered the options and Tommy was keen to have something that would handle every day waves, including beach breaks and choppy conditions. We eventually settled on a RB-JMC, built with free elastic rocker for versatility and also restricted the internal venting as wheezers will keep their shape better in bumps.

We also have plenty of deck grip to stay on, but also helps to stabilise the deck a bit whilst retaining the 70/70 qualities, particularly in the rails. All in all... I'm excited to hear how Tommy finds this mat. I have high hopes.

So what about the name? Tommy says:

What a great name! I'm honoured that it has been given to this surfmat!

Tommy has also gone for a mat bag (a great way to use offcuts) and a G-Mat Apparel Tee. Thanks for representing!

So, Chango is setting sail. Have fun Changos!

Cheers

G

This is "Nautilus", a G-Mat RB-JMC built for Californian mat surfer, Scott Kennedy.

Scott has been a mat rider for some time and surfs around Santa Cruz. For those unaware, SC is an area with a rich heritage when it comes to mat surfing, and some solid points producing some very skilled riders.

Scott came ready prepared with a mat in mind, the grip pattern and even the name. Bosh! Unsurprisingly, with Scott's experience and where Scott surfshe went for a RB-JMC super-free-breather with negative elastic rocker. He also went with full grip panels to ensure that he stays put on the mat.

And so Nautilus set off last week and is with Scott as I type. I'm looking forward to ride reports and maybe do photos or footage (hint hint).

Have a blast Scott!

Cheers

G

Derek has become fully absorbed in mat surfing over the last couple of years or so. We'd spoken a few times over the years and he always expressed respect and appreciation for the craft and people who surf them. One day when I asked the question (not for the first time) "is it time to get you on a mat?" he replied with a yes!

A obvious step really for the master of free friction surfing when you think about it.

After a couple of RB-JMC's, I built Derek a Nouveau Racer (named Evil Twin M) for some of the heavier and hollower waves around Byron. He came back to me saying he loved the more structured feel of the 4 pontoon mat, but obviously being a gunnie surfmat, the Nouveau Racer misses the bottom end of other models. With that in mind I suggested a 70/70 Chino Racer would be a great all-rounder to compliment 'ETM' and we agreed to do it at some point.

And then tragedy...

Some clumsy f*ck ploughed a surfboard fin through Evil Twin F, Derek's RB-JMC, and his Chino Racer suddenly became more of a priority.

I had a stack of builds locked in so it was a case of wait until the end or find a day and thanks to the wettest February in recorded UK history and me still coming back from the 'mega-cold', I found that day so here we are.

This Chino Racer is built with free elastic rocker and is a wheezer, to soak up the chop on windy days. Derek wanted to lock in the number 369 and has named her "Speed Thrills", saying the name is:

"... in tribute to my mentor Terry Fitzgerald - his Bells 1981 board was called this. Woo Hoo! "

So Speed Thrills is on the way Down Under. They've had it tough around Byron wave wise apparently but the season is getting going so hopefully will timed.

Have fun Derek!

Cheers

G

NB. locking in numbers usually involves waiting for the number to come up but emergency as we said.

Please say hello to Sisyphus, a 200/70 G-Mat Ute built for UK based mat newb, Stephen Harrison.

Being new to mat surfing (but an experienced wave rider), Stephen was keen to get something that was going to suit where he is in his journey, and also the South Walian waves he surfs. We considered a stable all-round ride was what was needed and settled on the Ute. Stephen was keen on the red deck which is an inelastic nylon 6 material. That gave us the option of flat or positive elastic rocker and Stephen opted for the latter to help with bottom turns and cutbacks.

Stephen will also be surfing a few spots in front of rocks and also the wave pool so asked for a bungee to give a leash option. As you'll see, he's also gone for a simple bung valve.

When asked to name his mat, Stephen said:

Nailed it. I do love the thought people put initio naming their custom mats. Welcome to being a grom again!

So, Sisyphus is heading to Wales. It looks like the Atlantic is going to keep chucking waves our way for a bit so I look forward to a ride report.

Have fun Stephen!

Cheers

G

Here's a mat for Scott named Rider Knot Driver.

Scott lives in California and is a very experienced mat surfer. When we discussed what Scott was after. He was pretty clear he wanted a mat to fill out the top end of his quiver for bigger and hollower waves. We settled on a 200/70 Nouveau Racer as the base design is much gunnier than most mats. The 200d deck and wheezy venting adds to stability. Scott has also gone for a bungee to add a leash. Leashes are a hassle on mats but there are times when they really are a helpful back up when the alternative is a swim in to rocks in heavy surf to get them back.

Scott is proud of his Celtic heritage. He was keen to celebrate this in the design and sent a Celtic knot design with a sketched design including pinlines. We had a lot of fun turning it into the real deal. People may know, I love clean monochrome mats and I really love this one!

I asked Scott about his choice of name and he said:

Puns and everything... I love them too! Perfect!

So, Rider Knot Driver is heading off to Cali on Monday. I'm excited to hear what Scott gets into.

Have fun mate!

Cheers

G

Say hello to "Sunset Cliffs Frother", a G-Mat Ute built for Californian Tio Suenos.

Tio got in on the current run to buy his first mat having made the decision that he wanted to go for a custom rather than stock mat. He's ridden waves for many years and told me about how he'd become mat curious:

Mats certainly make an impression on the open minded.

We discussed our options and as a first mat thought straight down the middle all rounder was the obvious choice... A Ute.

Anyone with a G-Mat RFT will know what Tio has let himself in for. Sunset Cliffs Frother is a 200/70 construction. She's a wheezer with a positive elastic rocker which will create a smooth curve through turns. Tio has also gone for a low profile spring valve to keep things flush.

All in all, I love the love green and black combo on the deck. Photos never really do this material justice.

So, Sunset Cliffs Frother is heading west as I type.

Have fun Tio!

Cheers

G

Here is a mat for my friend Rachel named “Take Away”, built in fits and starts during my down time. We started on Take Away in September last year!

Rachel has been surfing a mat for years now, originally getting into them surfing spots around her beloved South Devon in the UK. Rachel and her family have been living in Oz for some years now, but she periodically comes home to visit, and that’s what led to the creation of Take Away.

Rachel was involved in the Phileas Project (Phileas was a white mat I built which was sent around the world for people to surf and add their artwork too), surfing in an episode with me when Phileas came home for some TLC, and also in an Australian ep. This planted the seed for Take Away: a white mat that many people build into a work of art. In this case, Rachel’s friends and family in South Devon have drawn her a takeaway meal of all the things she loves about South Devon for her to take wherever she goes.

As you can see in the photos, the art piece is well underway and Take Away is heading to Oz. Rachel has a plan to add to this over time, including coming back to the UK to get more added by friends over here. I've left the centre pontoon clear to give more canvas. I’m really excited to see how Take Away turns out in the end.

Perhaps there will never be an end point…

On the tech side, Take Away is a 70/70 G-Mat Ute wheezer with free elastic rocker. Rachel wanted a mat for all days so this was a good choice. I’m super-stoked to finally get Rachel on a mat that properly fits her as her previous options were that little bit too big or little bit too small.

Have fun Rachel and keep us updated!

Cheers

G

Say hello to "Totally Killin' It!", a 70/70 RB-JMC for Matt Healy. Matt lives and surfs around Encinitas and has been riding mats for the last decade or so. There is a strong mat community around there with a long heritage and some good waves to surf them in.

Matt came pretty clear on what he wanted, a lightweight RB-JMC custom with super-free-breather venting and neg rocker and a low-profile spring valve. That's a good choice and I'm visualising super-fast high line speed runs on some Swami's peelers. Dreamy stuff!

Matt also had another request... He wanted it to look like a whale shark, having fallen in love with them during encounters in Mexico. Matt already has a surfboard painted like one in brown with white spots but after some to-and-fro with designs we settled on a navy shark. Not biologically accurate but looks pretty fancy.

I asked Matt about his journey into mats and he said:

I love building mats for experienced matsurfers and I'm looking forward to feedback and hearing about her adventures with Matt.

Thanks Matt and take care.

Cheers

G

This was the last custom mat build of 2025. A 70/70 G-Mat RB-JMC for Rincon local, Matt Simon.

Matt is one of a solid crew of mat riders from around the Santa Barbara area. He has been riding mats for many years and has had a mat from me some time back, an RB-JMC named Dragonfly that he had built after the long-term loan of a mat named the Rincon Rental Raft that I bult for Andrew Buck years ago.

Matt got in on this run and an had a clear idea what he wanted... Exactly the same! Well, not exaclty. He wanted a copy of Dragonfly, but with a bungee to give the pool option, but more importantly, to surf a certain high tide spot where losing the mat would mean, well, losing the mat! And so "Osprey" was born.

Osprey is a 70/70 RB-JMC as mentioned. She has a negative elastic rocker and is built with super-free-breather venting to maximise glide and speed. Matt has gone for a Hestered (positioned below the seam) mini-Boston valve and a clean white logo on the middle pontoon.

Have fun Matt. Always a pleasure!

Cheers

G

As I'm sure people have noticed, JT is something of a standout when it comes to riding mats, with his active rail to rail approach. Also popping off the mat for a quick body surf at times before jumping back on. If you haven't seen that, check the G-Mat YouTube channel.

I've been lucky enough to build a few mats for James over the years, and his feedback is always really helpful. It dawned on me that I haven't built him any 4 pontoon models and I reckon he'd dig the hold in the rail from the Chino Racer so here we are.. . A mat that James has christened "Toblerone" because the Swiss tend to keep inflation low.

Lovely pun.

Toblerone has been built as a 70/70 wheezer, so opening up the bottom end in terms of glide but holding shape more, with restricted air flow. We have also gone with free rocker to get the balance between down the line speed and responsive turning (perhaps a nod to that famous Swiss neutrality... Hello... Is this on?)

I'm taking a punt on pre-Christmas shipping. To be honest, I'm mostly hearing people around JT's neck of the woods grumbling about terrible waves right no so probably not a huge rush, but

Anyway, Godspeed Toblerone.

Have fun James!

Cheers

G

Here's a mat for my good friend and mat surfing legend, Andrew Stephen Buck (AKA ASB or "Buck").

Andrew has played a huge part in the evolution of my designs over the years. The Rubber Bucky model was designed based on his feedback over a number of prototypes. Following this the design was further tweaked based on feedback from Jamie McClellan to create the RB-JMC, and this is what Andrew has been riding since.

You may have noticed as well that Andrew is a big fan of animal themed mats and this one is no exception. Andrew was keen to go with a crab this time around and this is the design we came up with. In consultation with his nieces, this mat was named Mr Bubble. Pretty much the perfect name for a mat!

As for all the technical jimbo-jambo, Mr Bubble is an RB-JMC super-free-breather with negative elastic rocker... About as fast and sensitive as possible. We have also gone with a low profile spring valve for Andrew to try, as well as a bungee for potential pool encounters.

Mr Bubble gets collected tomorrow and should be in Carpinteria before the end of the week so going well. Not that there's any surf by the looks of it but hey ho... The waves will be back.

Have fun Andrew.

Cheers

G

Mariah is a mat surfer of long standing who knows how to ride a mat well. She is on the team at Emocean Magazine and has a close effinity with the ocean and natural world, so no surprises then that Mariah rides a mat!

Having recently hung out with Andrew Andrew Stephen Buck talking mats, Mariah was pretty clear that she wanted an RB-JMC super-free-breather with negative elastic rocker and, a particular Buck influence, an animal theme. As Mariah has always had a fantasy of skimming across a wave face on a giant clam shell her choice was simple and "Shell Yes!" was born!

Shell Yes! is a nice addition to the quiver for Mariah. Over the years she has had a Nouveau Racer and a free (flat) rockered RB-JMC that has more restricted venting so Shell Yes! will give a very different ride to both. Very technical and very fast. Perfect addition. Shell Yes! also has one of the new low profile spring valves so I'm excited to hear how Mariah finds it.

So, shell yes will be heading over to the US Virgin Islands and I can't wait to hear and see how she goes.

Have fun Mariah.

Cheers

G

PS Mariah also recently picked up a G-Mat Mini from my partner Tom Jennings She says you should definitely get one too.

This is a mat built for my good friend Henry Marfleet who got in on the list for a mat a few runs ago and wanted to be super sure he has the right model. With careful planning I think we're there now and Henry has a Nouveau Racer named "Hold & Grunt" to round out his quiver. Henry has a Rubber Bucky and a 70/70 RFT so adding a gunnie mat is the perfect model, especially as we move into winter. Henry was also really keen to secure the number 308.

Henry says:

Well, the Nouveau Racer certainly has a huge amount of hold, making waves that might be tough to surf a mat in mattable. The design certainly has a bottom end to what it will go in, but in solid waves, she'll go like a greased shit so I'm confident meets the brief.

On to the build, Hold & Grunt is a 200/70 with panels of PU grip to add stability. Internally she is a wheezer (restricted airflow), again to help keep things steady and dependable.

Henry has also asked for a bungee to give the leash option for those rare days when it is needed. He's also opted for a Hestered (below the flange) mini-Boston valve.

I surf with Henry a lot and as we get properly into the Northern Hemisphere winter, I look forward to seeing Hold & Grunt in action!

Cheers

G

Here's a mat for Alasdair Newby from West Cornwall, UK. Alasdair has surfed all sorts of boards for many years and ended up picking up a mat a little while back and is now in deep... That's how it goes with mats...

He got on on the current run and came with a clear idea what he wanted. A stable mat that will work in a range of conditions. Alasdair surfs the waves I first got in on as a young lad, so I had a decent sense of things.

We've gone for a 200/70 Ute. The red deck material is made with Nylon 6 which is a little heavier. The combo with the white 70d gives a nicely balanced feel. We've gone for restricted wheezy venting and a bungee for bigger days. Alasdair also opted for one of the new low profile valves too.

Alasdair has named his new mat Albert. Albert is one of a number of Utes I've built lately. Lots of Utes and lots of mats in the UK which is unusual.

Anyway, I'm building one more in this run and will do a team mat or two and then the order book will be open again for the next 10.

But back to Albert, she's heading West tomorrow. I'm hoping to get down there soon myself too so hopefully can see Alasdair and Albert in action.

Have fun Alasdair!

Cheers

G

This is Blackbeard, a 200/70 G-Mat Ute built for UK based mat surfer, Steve Holmes.

Steve has been surfing mats for some time now and is keen to take him mat riding forwards, including some bigger days. We spoke about what he was after and Steve was keen for a mat that world cover all bases. The Ute seemed a solid option as the perfect all rounder. Steve has added a bungee for those rare particularly tricky conditions.

We have gone with a wheezer with free elastic rocker so Blackbeard will really have a wide range and will keep it's shape in bumpy and chunky conditions.

Steve said:

Blackbeard is heading off as we speak and I'm looking forward to hearing how she goes.

Have fun Steve!

Cheers

G

Here's a mat for Tom Carter, a UK based mat surfer from West Cornwall. Tom has been riding mats for a while now and has a narrow mat that really has seen a lot of action and needed a few repairs. He came to me wanting something to open the bottom end up a bit more with better glide through softer sections, but also to keep the rail-to-rail feel. We talked a bit on the phone and eventually settled on a G-Mat Ute. Our thinking was that this mat will become Tom's main ride, with his current mat being saved for the heavy and hollow days.

The mat Tom has been riding has a canvas deck so, although Tom was up for more maleability, we didn't want to go too full on so have gone with a 200/70 build. In addition the the 200 denier deck, we have gone with panels rather than strips of grip which will add a little more structure. The mat is also a wheezer, with the restricted airflow adding further stability which will help with keeping shape through turns.

We talked about names. No custom mat has left my workshop without the new owner giving it a name. Tom said:

That sounds amazing, eh?! We're lucky to live where we do.

So, Black Back is off to hook up with Tom. We've just moved into Autumn here and it's landed with a bump, including swell, so looking forward to hearing about Tom's adventures.

Have fun mate!

Cheers

G