Mat surfing is a unique and minimalist form of wave riding that involves an inflatable mat made of rubber. Surfers are prone to ride using their hands and feet to paddle and maneuver. While it may look easy, mat surfing is super technical requiring the rider to use subtle adjustments with their mats, hands, feet and body movements for control, speed, and flow.
A renaissance is happening!
Mat surfing has survived and blossomed once again with a new generation of surfers embracing this niche form of wave riding. Contemporary mat designs, like Cumulus Surf Mats, G-Mat Surf Customs, and Warp Mats, incorporate modern materials, technologies, and styles. Online communities, like Mat Surfers, and dedicated mat surfers have played crucial roles in connecting the recent revival of mat surfing to a broader audience. Social media has played a crucial role in globally connecting enthusiasts, especially enabling them to share experiences, exchange tips, and organize mat surfing events and competitions. It is an easy sport to get into and exhilarating even if the waves are small the smiles are big!
I had the opportunity to check in with Jo from Cumulus Surf Mats about his experience and journey into mat surfing and creating his mats.
What makes mat surfing so special?
Mat surfing is unique in the fact that the riding characteristics of the surf craft can change depending on the level of inflation and type of wave. The softer the mat, the more speed it builds up, but it’s a fine mix between speed and hold. Too soft on a powerful wave and you’ll quickly lose your edge and start drifting sideways. I recommend a mat for anyone considering alternative surf craft as it goes well in most conditions (similar to a timber bellyboard). It’s the golf of surfing, you only need one good wave and you’re hooked for life chasing that ethereal feeling.
When did you first try mat surfing?
I investigated mats shortly after COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted. We were traveling back to see my folks in South Africa and I wanted to surf whilst I was there, but didn’t want to risk damaging a board, etc. I’d watched videos of guys surfing mats and they looked crazy fast, I figured why not buy a Krypt MT5? It was a steep learning curve as matting generally goes against what you think you should be doing. It’s unlike most other prone-type boards in the fact that you generally catch the wave almost completely off the mat and once you feel the lift of the wave, you pull yourself onto the mat and start gliding/sliding. My first intuition was to ride it like a bodyboard, but I soon realized that it was never going to work. I finally unlocked the concept and since then I’ve been hooked!
When and why did you choose mat surfing over surfing?
I mat most of the time and switch this up with a butch farm++ board (timber bellyboard) and paipo. Mats work best on waves with a clean face and limited backwash, otherwise, you’ll be getting some air! I bodyboarded and surfed but continue to mat as my main go-to as I always come out of the surf with a massive smile!
When did you decide to learn how to create your surf mats?
I’m an inquisitive person and once I get an idea in my head, I’ll follow it through no matter what! (trust me, this isn’t always a good trait, haha). Once I returned from South Africa, I was adamant and convinced myself that I had to make my own mat, or at least understand the construction of one. I started by scouring the internet, watching videos, reading blogs and visiting websites to try and understand what fabrics, valves, and construction techniques I could use to make a mat. I went through this process to create an apparel brand several years ago, so I knew it wouldn’t be an easy task. After about 8-months and a lot of frustration and basic hand tools, I created my first mat (it probably took me about 20 hours, haha). ~Photo Yellow Mat and Blue Bottom – This was around Christmas 2022. I first surfed my Krypt in April 2022 for reference.
At this point Cumulus was born, the concept of surfing on a cloud. While building mats will never be a full-time project for me, it has been a great outlet for my creativity (artwork and construction) and has opened my network to so many amazing people along the way. I will say that whilst the surf mat community is small, it’s a very supportive and welcoming one and I’m proud and honored to be a part of it.
What is your favorite mat you have ever made?
TBH, it’s very difficult to say. Each mat that I make (outside of the canvas tops – plain colours) is unique and has its own personality. I really enjoy doing custom mats for people that give me a colourway and basic artwork direction and then leave it up to me to create something special for them. To date, everyone has been blown away with the end result (this is generally my preference as I’m a bit of a control freak). I prefer to be the creative in the process, as opposed to trying to nail someone else’s concept 100%.
How do modern mats differ from early renditions?
Modern mats generally use lightweight TPU Nylon fabrics (200d tops and 70d bottom and internals). Early renditions were made of vulcanized rubber (think thick tire tubes) and then later thick canvas fabrics (think waterproof/outdoor shade fabrics etc.) The characteristic of a mat really changes as your fabric choices change. A 200d/70d mat is a great middle-ground for most surfers and a 500d/70d is slightly more stable, whilst a 70/70d mat is far more elastic, requires clean conditions and a bit more wrangling to get it to work as it should, but is very rewarding when it does.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to try mat surfing?
Do it! You’ll have a huge smile on your face each time you come back in from a surf. It’s the most fun you could have on a surf craft and it will make you feel like a kid again. Instead of trying another surfboard or bodyboard, try a mat as they are great for traveling and a fantastic icebreaker in the lineup. Most surfers can’t help but ask what you’re riding and once they see you fly down the line, they’ll want to have a go! I generally share my mat if anyone asks, but be warned, you could be floating on another surfer’s board for a while! Haha!
Jo-Cumulus's Playlist for WIG
Jules is a writer, photographer, content creator, and DJ from California. Normally based in Brooklyn, he is passionate about surfing, hiking, and the local music scene in New York. He spent the summer of 2023 traveling Europe and now is back in Brooklyn, NY.
Additional Information
The Mat Professor by Mat Arny
Bellyboards Boards (Paipo)
Vintage photos in the article were repurposed from the 2014 article on the Surfmatters Blog: 30 Years of Testing and Tinkering #8: The Slow Leak Revolution: Part 2
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