Quick Stats:
Age - 28
Stance - Nautural
Years SUPing - 14 years, 2.5 years on a SUP
Sponsors - Naish, Kialoa, Dragon, Creatures, Strapper surfboards, & Peak wetsuits
Status - single

SUP Vic: Where are you living these days and where did you grow up?
ML: I’m living in the surf Meca of Torquay, i have lived here for 18 years now and love it. I am lucky to have a job within the surf industry, and live the lifestyle that I love. So A Neoprene Suit really is my suit. lol

SUP Vic: So whats your background? Have you grown up in the water?
ML: I stated out as a clubie, I was down the beach every day doing lifesaving over summer. But when I was 14 I decided I needed something to fill in the winter. So I got my first board off Darren Dixons. Immediately I was hooked, I guess I started entering comps around 16 as my dad was doing a few on his longboard. From there I became a Pro Longboarder for a few years. In between that I supported myself working in the surf industry. My career halted when I destroyed my leg in a freak surfing accident. What really got me back out there was riding a 11 foot NSP, stand up style. I haven’t looked back.

SUP Vic: Whats this about Surf Lifesaving? And Mal competitions?
ML: Yeah, Im still a clubbie, currently an Australian champion in Rescue Boat Racing (I know its sad). I guess it keeps me fit and keeps me in the water doing something. And yes i was a longboarder as well, i had won a few victorian titles but never made an aussie final. I still ride one every now and then, just a big single fin. I still really like traditional surfing.

SUP Vic: Rich from Strapper once said you have legs like tree trunks, do you train/work on your fitness?
ML: Two months ago, I would have said it was all natural. lol. But I have decided to take it a little bit more seriously this year with a trainer a few times a week focusing on certain strengths to help me lift my ability.

SUP Vic: Explain your favorite SUP location? Why is it your favorite?
ML: My favorite would have to be 4 to 6 foot Torquay Point. On its day on a mid tide, you can get these wide ones right off the haystack rock and race them through to the point. From there you have one epic wall to work the sup on all the way to the inside.

SUP Vic: Have you always worked in the surf industry? What was your first job and what are you doing now?
ML: I first started life guarding and surf instructing. I was then lucky to get a job with Strapper Surfboards. I worked there for years and worked my way up. Most recently I was lucky to get an offer to run peak wetsuits. Its has defineatly been one of my dreams to run a wetsuit company.

SUP Vic: Whats coming up over the next 12 months for Matt Lumley? Anything, comps, work, travel, boards?
ML: The next 12 months look busy, i will be at any major comp in Australia and will be aiming to get the Australian title, I don’t want to be a bridesmaid again. lol. I also want to get across to hawaii to go surfing with the Naish crew and I will look at any comps of interest Overseas. Boards? not sure yet, I’m in Love with my 9′0 Nalu, this board is off tap! I’m excited to see what the boys come up with next.

SUP Vic: What are your goal/objectives for the future? Do you want to take on the world in SUP competition?
ML: I really want to go anywhere this sport will take me, I’m going to work hard at taking it to new levels. Its so exciting because its still so new out there!

SUP Vic: Thanks for your time Matt, All the best for the future. I’m looking forward to touching base in 12 months to re-live what looks like being a great year for you.

Lumers ripping on his new Naish Nalu 9′0″

RPS have now finalised the details for their Flatwater Series to be held at Elwood beach this summer. Starboard have come to the party as the major sponsor, kindly donating a 2010 model SUP as the major prize. It will be a 3 event series beginning in a couple of weeks on the 22nd of November and the last event to be run on the 14th of March.

The concept is simple for each event. 2 buoys will be set 250m apart and paddlers will do as many laps as they can in the given time limit. The first event being 40 minutes, the 2nd will be 60 minutes and the last event a grouling 80 minutes. The inside buoy will be set close to the beach so tired paddlers can come to the beach or step off into shallow water to take a breather. Heck, you could even come in and grab a drink or a pie! Paddlers should be able to judge their distance travelled by the number of laps they complete. The major prize (a Starboard SUP) will be given to the most improved paddler over the 3 event series. I really like the concept as the participants will have to do a number of turns as well as having the paddle power. Depending on conditions the turning part could make it very interesting!

RPS are also looking at different short course sprint type races to be held on the same day with the emphysis on fun. When this is confirmed details will be released through SUP Vic, on Seabreeze and the RPS website.

If you wish to be a part of it you will need to have proof of your own 3rd party liability insurance. This is included in a SUP Vic membership, or if you are not a member, for only $10 you can get the appropriate insurance cover for the day when you sign up for each event.

RPS are going to make this an annual series and are working on a unique perpetual trophy for each division. There will be plenty of lucky draw prizes at each event so be sure to get down there and get amongst it! SUP Vic will keep you posted if any details change so be sure to check back here for any updates.

For the official event series flyer click anywhere here!

This shows SUP is a little further advanced in the States but I don’t think we are too far behind.

Complements of Transworld Business…..

Surf Expo recently announced that it will hold a series of hour-long StandUp Paddle demos in pool set up on the trade show floor during its January show. The demos will give show attendees the chance to get in the pool and try out a range of different manufacturers’ boards and paddles. Here’s some additional details:

“Atlanta, GA, November 5, 2009 – Surf Expo announced today its StandUp Paddle events for the upcoming show January 14-16, spotlighting this historical sport that has shown a sharp increase in growth over the past few years.

The Board Builders area at Surf Expo will be set around a 50’ x 60’ SUP demo pool. Attendees will be invited by manufacturers to attend hour-long, manufacturer-sponsored demos where they can actually get in the pool and try the sport – and several brands of boards and paddles - for themselves. With SUP’s unlimited geographical reach – a sport enjoyed in virtually any body of water– SUP offers unlimited growth potential and a new market for Surf Expo retailers large and small.

Surf Expo Show Director Roy Turner is excited at the growth of the sport, which offers new market growth for Board Builders in this tough time. “Rarely do we see a sport that crosses into so many markets: surf, outdoor, resort, flatwater, ocean, river. StandUp Paddling is a sport with a quick learning curve, yet we’ve only begun to push the limits of what can be done. If you are looking to energize your business and are located near an ocean, lake or river you owe it to yourself to visit our SUP area and attend one of our demos geared at growing your business in the newest addition to our boardsports family.”

Famed longboarder and StandUp Paddleboarder Robert “Wingnut” Weaver will be giving several free presentations throughout the show at the demo pool. Two topics he’ll focus on are bringing SUP to your Resorts and how to market and merchandise SUP from your traditional boardsports store. In addition, Wingnut will discuss the sport’s history, its future, and of course, he will showcase the sport in the pool.

With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Surf Expo is the largest and longest-running trade show for the board/beach/fashion industry (34 years). Surf Expo is held in January and September in Orlando, Florida, and draws buyers from specialty stores across the U.S., the Caribbean, Central and South America and around the world. Surf Expo is endorsed by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA); the Board Retailers Association (BRA), and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA).”