Here is the 1st email that arrived ending with an image of about the most perfect wave I have ever seen that he had attached. Dale's comments are italicised and bold.
Hi Robin,
Re: "Back on the Neumatic today and........... "
".........learnt a whole lot more about how to ride a Neumatic and the
importance of keeping my bloody chin down near the mat!"
If your chin is down low, so will be your chest. Low profile,
low center of gravity.
"Having been given a glimpse of the hyper speeds that very low
inflation provides I am determined to become completely comfortable
with it."
Level of inflation is primarily determined by the waves and surface
conditions. Super low inflation is not always a good thing! Most of
my mats (the free-breathers) operate better with a little more air,
rather than a lot less (for example, ask Warren Pfeiffer). One of the
advantages of fine-tuning a custom design is to lessen the gap between
higher and lower inflations. This allows the mat to have a quick,
intuitive response to both wave and rider. You will discover the
lowest inflation is not always the fastest.
"the other day I decided to take out the Neumatic as it is a bigger
mat and it tends to get into the wave a little easier."
Your Neu moves through the water easier because of design and
materials, not just length. It's length is entirely appropriate for
your height and common waves, i.e. "reasonably solid and powerful down
here but not necessarily that hollow."
"I am slowly learning that the Neumatic is a different beast to my other mats."
Yes... that's an understatement.
"Once your are on it your are on it and shifting around especially at
very low inflations with the the grippy deck is challenging to say the
least."
Actually, your Neu has less deck traction than many of my other
designs. It will smooth down with use... and by then you'll be
wanting more! Some Neu only have the 2DB nylon finish, with no
Vulkem. Personal preference should influence deck traction.
"This has made me suddenly realised that, being custom built, Dale has
kindly placed the decking grip on the mat as pretty exact indicator of
where on the mat I should place the noble bod."
That's correct. With dialed-in custom equipment (especially
free-breathers), the need to slide around on deck while surfing is
minimized.
"So it is much more of a cruise around kicking mat rather than an arm
paddler which is what I usually resort to particularly on the way back
out after a ride on the 4GFs and the MT5."
Well, you can arm paddle all you want. But it's a tremendous
advantage to develop efficient technique and kicking power with a
good pair of swim fins.
"This then means that the take off procedure needs to change as I am
used to shifting back off the mat and using my right arm as well as
kicking to get myself moving and then hauling forward on to the mat to
pop onto the wave..."
Very low inflations make such movements more difficult.
"One keeps one's chin way down close to the deck which means that the
noble bod, arms and legs are aligned and this was the major new
discovery about mat riding yesterday."
Yes! Relaxed, fluid alignment. Don't be a stiffy!
"Finally realised the importance of the body surfing element of mat riding!"
Remember... as it says on my website: "...like jet-propelled bodysurfing"
All the best,
Dale
The second email again with an image of another beautiful wave attached
Hi Robin,
Speed is a function of control. At it's best mat surfing is
gloriously evanescent... involving an ever-changing, subtle balance of
speed, control and timing. Surf mats are true shape-shifters :-)
"Having been given a glimpse of the hyper speeds that very low
inflation provides I am determined to become completely comfortable with it."
Level of inflation is primarily determined by the waves and surface
conditions. Super low inflation is not always a good thing! Most of
my mats (the free-breathers) operate better with a little more air,
rather than a lot less (for example, ask Warren Pfeiffer). One of the
advantages of fine-tuning a custom design is to lessen the gap between
higher and lower inflations. This allows the mat to have a quick,
intuitive response to both wave and rider. You will discover the
lowest inflation is not always the fastest.
And finally the 3rd email
To clarify:
"It's an understatement about my mats being different beasts."
Not that you are a slow learner!
Being geographically distant from popular surfing and media zones is
an advantage in many respects.
My experiences as a surfer and artisan have been shaped by the freedom
of uncrowded waves and an inquisitive mind... exploring various surf
craft as a means to discovering more fun. One thousand miles from the
influence of Southern California, originating many years before the
internet. An example:
http://vagabondsurf.com/TriplaneBodyboardsAgain.html
All the best,
Dale
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