MAT Surf Designs Shaping Room

Precision Shaped Surfboards

Crafted for surfers in lineups everywhere. Foiled to your exact weight, skill, and favorite surf break.

Explore Quiver Models
Since 1993Shaping Heritage
10,000+Boards Shaped
J-Bay ProvenWorld Tour Tested
100% CoreHandcrafted By Mat
Mat shaping MAT surfboard
30+ YrsSurfing & Refining Hydrodynamics

Hand Foiled Rails

Every contour planed with anatomical precision.

Surfer Zak Louw on MAT Surf Design
Core Surfer & Master Shaper

Shaped by Surfers, for Surfers Since 1993

Mat stuck his feet to a surfboard for the first time in 1993, and much like most first-time surfers he has been consumed by the sport of surfing ever since. Over three decades, Mat has tested countless board shapes, contours, and fin set-ups across world-class points, punchy beach breaks, and heavy slabs.

This endless search sparked his intrigue to delve deeper into the science of shaping. Board design variables and glassing are important when building precision boards. Length, width, thickness, volume, concave, rail design, rocker curves, stringer flex, foam selection, and glassing schedules are critical to MAT's exacting quality standards.

Direct one-on-one shaper consultation
Fine-tuned volume for your paddle & pop
Hand-finished rails and concave contours
Proven on South African point breaks & reefs
Browse Models
Tested In Firing Surf

3 Boards, 3 Days of Firing J-Bay

Watch South African test pilot Bryce Du Preez put MAT surfboards through their paces down the famous right-hand walls of Jeffreys Bay.

3 Boards 3 Days Firing J Bay MAT Surf Design Test
Play J-Bay Surf Test (YouTube)
Digital Shaping Lab

Engineered on Screen.
Crafted with Precision.

Every MAT board begins as an accurate digital model — rocker, concave, rail volume, and outline dialed in software before a single planer touches foam. Hydrodynamics, simulated. Craft, perfected.

  • Digital rocker & concave simulation
  • CNC-accurate volume distribution
  • Rail foil & thickness profiling
MAT ShapeCAD v4.2 — board.mat●REC
VOL 28.5 L
ROCK 6.2°
DIM 6'2" × 18 ¾ × 2 5/16
CONC SINGLE→DOUBLE
◧ 3D MESH
scanning·▋…
Crafted Quiver

Our Surfboards

Thousands of boards shaped with precision since 1993. Choose your proven template or dial in exact custom dimensions.

Performance5'6" - 6'6" • 27L - 43LMAT Hipkabab Surfboard

Hipkabab

Intermediate - Pro

Mat's personal favorite — 1 to 5 ft beach break and pointbreak wave magnet

Wave Type:1ft - 5ft Beach Breaks & Pointbreaks
Tail Design:Wider Squash Tail
Fin Setup:Thruster (FCS II / Futures)
Mat's personal favoriteTurns on a dimeDeep single to double concave
Performance5'8" - 6'3" • 26L - 34LMAT Hipkabab 2.0 Surfboard

Hipkabab 2.0

Intermediate - Pro

The refined high-speed pocket rocket for punchy waves

Wave Type:2ft - 6ft Hollow & Punchy Beach/Point Breaks
Tail Design:Squash / Rounded Pin
Fin Setup:Thruster (FCS II / Futures)
Refined hip contourSnappy lip releasesDeep single-to-double concave
Performance5'6" - 6'6" • 27L - 43LMAT Passion Pop Surfboard

Passion Pop

Intermediate - Pro

Fun performance shortboard with reduced rocker and volume under chest

Wave Type:1ft - 6ft Points & Beach Breaks
Tail Design:Round or Swallow Tail
Fin Setup:Thruster / Tri-fin (FCS II / Futures)
Volume under the chestFits tight in the pocketQuiver killer performance
Performance5'9" - 6'4" • 25L - 32LMAT Problade Surfboard

Problade

Intermediate - Pro

Ultra-responsive competition knife for critical wave sections

Wave Type:3ft - 8ft Solid Reef & Point Waves
Tail Design:Round Tail or Squash
Fin Setup:Thruster / Tri-fin
Continuous rocker profileThin, foiled sensitivityExplosive drive off the bottom
Performance5'7" - 6'2" • 27L - 35LMAT Target Surfboard

Target

Intermediate - Pro

All-round everyday performance driver with unmatched reliability

Wave Type:2ft - 6ft Everyday Conditions
Tail Design:Squash
Fin Setup:5-Fin Convertible Option
Generous sweet spotSmooth rail transitionsHigh wave-count driver
Performance5'6" - 6'1" • 28L - 36LMAT Tripster Surfboard

Tripster

All Levels

Speed generator for modern power surfing and quick turns

Wave Type:1ft - 5ft Beach Breaks & Slower Points
Tail Design:Swallow / Diamond
Fin Setup:Thruster or Quad
Easy planing hullFlies through mushy sectionsSkatey yet positive hold
Retro & Fish5'7" - 6'5" • 30L - 45LMAT Hybrid Fish Surfboard

Hybrid Fish

Beginner - Pro

Maximum speed in below head-height conditions — channels, wings, or both

Wave Type:1ft - 6ft All Conditions (Beach to Pointbreak)
Tail Design:Wide Swallow or Winged Swallow
Fin Setup:Twin Fin (FCS II or Futures)
Blistering down-the-line speedChannel / Wing optionsLow rocker paddle power
Retro & Fish5'6" - 6'6" • 27L - 41LMAT Lionheart Surfboard

Lionheart

Intermediate - Pro

1 to 5 ft wave machine built for small to medium wave domination

Wave Type:1ft - 5ft Small to Medium Surf
Tail Design:Custom Round / Squash
Fin Setup:Twin + Trailer / 2+1 / Thruster
1-5ft wave domination machineVolume distribution perfectionTwin + Trailer setup
Retro & Fish5'2" - 6'0" • 29L - 38LMAT Keel Twin Fish Surfboard

Keel Twin Fish

All Levels

Classic retro trim, glide, and lightning-fast down-the-line flow

Wave Type:1ft - 5ft Clean Point Breaks & Peeling Beachies
Tail Design:Deep Fish Swallow
Fin Setup:Twin Keel (Glassed-on or Tabbed)
Effortless speed & trimPure surf joy & aesthetic glideDeep swallow release
Retro & Fish5'6" - 6'2" • 28L - 35LMAT Legend Twin Surfboard

Legend Twin

Intermediate - Pro

Modernized performance twin-fin for razor-sharp rail carves

Wave Type:2ft - 6ft Wall-faced Surf
Tail Design:Wing Swallow / Rounded Diamond
Fin Setup:Twin + Trailer (2+1 Optional)
Speed with biteLoose tail releaseIconic crossover design
Fun & Mid-Length5'10" - 6'6" • 32L - 42LMAT Hybrid Round Epoxy Surfboard

Hybrid Round Epoxy

All Levels

Lightweight epoxy durability meets silky smooth turns

Wave Type:2ft - 7ft Versatile Conditions
Tail Design:Smooth Round Tail
Fin Setup:Tri-Quad (5 Fin Boxes)
Durable lightweight EPS/EpoxyButtery arc transitionsExcels in choppy or glassy waves
Fun & Mid-Length6'8" - 7'6" • 42L - 54LMAT Mid Length Cruiser Surfboard

Mid Length Cruiser

All Levels

Maximum wave count, effortless paddling, and refined flow

Wave Type:1ft - 6ft Rolling Point & Mellow Reefs
Tail Design:Pin or Round Tail
Fin Setup:Single Fin + Side Bites (2+1)
Early entry into any waveRelaxed cruising tempoBeautiful resin tint finish
Fun & Mid-Length5'4" - 6'2" • 30L - 40LMAT Hammer Surfboard

Hammer

Beginner - Advanced

Powerhouse groveler built to smash weak surf into high gear

Wave Type:1ft - 4ft Mushy Beach Breaks & Weak Windswell
Tail Design:Wide Diamond or Block Tail
Fin Setup:Quad or 5-Fin
Packs volume in a compact frameInstant planing speedPure fun factor
Fun & Mid-Length6'2" - 8'0"+ • 40L - 65L+MAT Mini-Mal Surfboard

Mini-Mal

All Levels

The perfect surfboard for all — beginner to weekend warrior in 1ft plus waves

Wave Type:1ft - 6ft All Conditions & Beach Breaks
Tail Design:Squash or Round Tail
Fin Setup:Thruster (FCS II or Futures)
1ft+ any break wave magnetCarbon reinforced tail & finsSquash or round tail options
Fun & Mid-Length9'0" - 10'2" • 60L - 80L+MAT Longboard Surfboard

Longboard

All Levels

1ft plus for anyone in any break — performance longboarding to traditional nose logging

Wave Type:1ft - 6ft+ All Conditions (Beach & Point Breaks)
Tail Design:Round or Square Tail
Fin Setup:Single Fin (Log) or 2+1 (Performance)
Effortless paddle & nose loggingFast & responsive glideSingle or 2+1 fin options

Unsure which model fits your weight, height and ability?

Mat works directly with each surfer to dial in volume distribution, rocker curves, and rail foils. Get personalized shaper consultation before cutting foam.

Board Volume Calculator

Find Your Perfect Litre Count

Volume is one of the most important specs on your board. Dial in your ideal litre range based on your body weight and skill, then let Mat foil it to your exact dimensions.

Your Weight
75 KG≈ 75 kg
LighterHeavier
Skill Level

A forgiving balance of float and responsiveness for consistent progression.

Recommended Volume
35.3L

Ideal range 33.8–36.8 L

Best Matching Models

A guide only — Mat will refine volume to your exact weight, break, and style.

Materials Science & Construction

PU Foam vs. Epoxy Resin

Every surfer’s style, weight, and wave conditions require the right blank and glassing schedule. Here is how Mat helps you choose the perfect build.

Classic HeritagePolyurethane Blank

PU (Polyurethane / Polyester)

The gold standard of competitive surfing flex. PU foam absorbs chop and chop feedback in textured waters, offering smooth, knife-edge rail engagement.

Classic Flex Memory: Sits deeper in the water, giving positive grip and hold on steep drops.
Chop Dampening: Heavy winds and face bump feel cushioned underfoot.
Ideal For: High-performance shortboards, solid step-ups, and retro fish designs.
Preferred by: Traditionalists & Competitors
Lively & Ultra-DurableEPS Core + Epoxy

Epoxy (EPS Foam Core)

Lighter, faster buoyancy that floats you higher in the water. Instant snap off the lip and incredible longevity against pressure dings and fatigue.

Extra Buoyancy: Paddles like a board 2 inches longer without the excess swing weight.
Supercharged Spring: Snappy reflex when exiting turns; maintains speed through flat spots.
Ideal For: Small wave grovelers, modern twins, mid-lengths, and summer beach breaks.
Preferred by: Speed seekers & everyday surfers
Rider Feedback

Words From The Lineup

Surfers who trust Mat's shapes from South Africa's rugged points to tropical reef passes.

"Been having some serious fun on the MAT. Flying in all sorts of conditions. Great feeling of full control and drive off the bottom."

Grant M.
Cape Town, South Africa
Hipkabab 2.0

"Awesome boards from a true core shaper/surfer who understands local waves like the back of his hand. Highly recommended."

Zak Louw
J-Bay, South Africa
Problade & Keel Fish

"My second MAT goes even better than the first one. The first MAT cooked in Indo and back home. Stoked is an understatement!"

Dylan V.
Durban / Mentawais
Legend Twin

"Quality and love go into each design. Mat takes the time to dial your exact volume and rail specifications. Wouldn't choose another shaper."

Bryce Du Preez
Jeffreys Bay
Custom Tri-Fin
MAT Surf Designs Crafting & Lineup

Hand Shaped Surfboards by Core Surfers

Stop settling for generic mass-produced pop-outs. Dial in a customized surfboard tailored to your exact height, weight, ability, and local surf breaks.

Get In Touch With The Shaper

Contact MAT Surf Designs

Have questions regarding volumes, tail contours, foam selection, fin setup, or delivery? Talk to Mat directly.

Direct Telephone & WhatsApp+27 (0) 72 641 8003
Workshop Location14 Rumboll Street, Strand, 7140, Western Cape, South AfricaShipping Nationwide Across South Africa
Direct Message

Send a Direct Message

Share your message or questions and Mat will get back to you promptly.

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MAT Surf Designs: Quality crafted boards for local and international communities. Shaped by core surfers since 1993 with uncompromising hydrodynamics.

© 2026 MAT Surf Designs. All Rights Reserved.

Performance

Retro & Fish

Fun & Mid Length