SURFMAT PARTY WAVES - MAKING SURE IT’S A PARTY!
By Graeme Webster with Paul Gross, Bryn Dampney, James Tanner, Matt Cox, Ryan Holmes, Mark Underwood, James Sowell, Henry Marfleet, Adam Williams, Jason MacMurray, Bob Booth, Andrew Stephen Buck, Ian Jermyn and Jamie McClellan.
For the most part, the usual rules of general surfing etiquette apply to mat surfing, although there is one key exception... Party waves!
Bryn Dampney (L) and Graeme Webster (R) Photo: Tim Ciasto
Party waves on mats are amazing. Mats are soft and as such party waves are much safer than on hard craft. Some of the most iconic footage of mat surfing is of party waves. However, party waves are more than just taking off on the same wave. Being dropped in on and having a ride ruined is no fun whatever you're riding.
With this in mind, we've drawn on the collective wisdom and experience of a number of members of the Surfmat community to develop the following tips for having fun at the party:
1) Party waves with other mat surfers are generally assumed to be on but if the person in the priority position calls the wave then let them have it. When meeting another mat surfer for the first time, check that they're into sharing waves. It can be a good introduction to call someone into a wave that you have priority for.
Andrew Stephen-Buck (L) & Jason MacMurray (R) Photo: Olivia Sabedra-Buck
2) Sharing is caring and party waves are a team effort. You need to work together to try not to mess up the wave for anybody closer to the pocket than you are. It takes practice to think and work as a team on a wave. If you cross over then those considerations swap over too. If you are out on the shoulder, staying on the high line is a good way to make sure that the person in the pocket has room to come through.
3) If you cannot catch the wave without messing it up for someone already riding then it's best not to catch it! Not all conditions suit party waves. Heavy and hollow surf, surfing waves where there might not be much of a shoulder to hold multiple surfers, or not being able to hold a high line can all lead to party waves going wrong. Stalling at the top of a wave to allow a rider already on the wave to get past you before taking off is a good tactic to prevent drop-ins but let them know you are there once you are in. Cutting back only to come face to face with someone you didn't know was there can be a shock to say the least!
Rachel Lewis (L) & Tom Carroll (R) Photo: Ben Chipper
4) Communication is key. Successfully riding a party wave involves crossing over without colliding. Keeping on talking really pays off!
5) Keep it friendly and have fun. Mistakes happen, people end up on top of each other, colliding and in all sorts of tangles. Have a laugh about it and paddle back out. It's all part of the fun! There are plenty more waves.
Not many feelings top a well ridden party wave and you will find yourself learning to hold lines and find pockets of speed that you would never have done in normal circumstances so ultimately, sharing waves with your mat brethren will make you a better mat surfer.