Sean Mattison
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 24, 1969 Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S. |
| Years active | 1988-1995 |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) |
| Surfing career | |
| Sport | Surfing |
| Best year | 1990 mid season rated #2 Bud Surf Tour, 1990 finished 7th Bud Surf Tour (PSAA)[1] |
| Major achievements |
|
| Surfing specifications | |
| Stance | Natural (regular) foot |
| Favorite waves | Right hand pointbreaks |
| Favorite maneuvers | Front side carves and hacks |
Sean Mattison is an American former professional surfer and current professional surf coach, known mostly for designing "The Nubster",[2] a fifth surfboard fin.[3] Mattison is also the designer of his own alternative high performance surfboards and surfboard fins named Von-Sol.[4]
In 2009, Mattison worked as Assistant Coach alongside Head Coach Ian Cairns to coach the USA Surf Team of the 2009 ISA World Championships. The team scored a gold medal, prior to which the USA had not won a Gold Medal since 1996.[5]
Early years
Mattison was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States on 24 March 1969.[6] Mattison moved to Atlantic Beach, Florida in 1973 and started surfing in 1974. By 1977, Mattison started competing in surf competitions in Jacksonville Beach, Florida when he was only 8 years old. Mattison grew up surfing on the east coast in the ESA (Eastern Surfing Association). In 1980, Mattison was a member of the ESA All-Stars with fellow professional surfer and 11x ASP World Champion Kelly Slater.
Mattison also placed fifth overall at the NSSA Nationals and was a member of the NSSA national team.[7]
Professional achievements
- In 1988, Mattison established himself as an elite surfer and earned himself a spot in the top 30 ranked surfers in the (PSAA) Bud Surf Tour on his rookie year.[8]
- Mattison had his best year in 1990 when he was rated #2 in the (PSAA)Bud Surf Tour mid-way through the season and finishing #7 in the (PSAA) Bud Surf Tour.
- Mattison won second place in the 1990 Body Glove Memorial Surf Classic.[9]
- Mattison was on the cover of Surfer Magazine in 1993.[10]
- Crowned 2003 United States Surfing Champion.[7]
- Mattison was on a cover of a controversial Longboard Magazine in 2006 which had him surfing a "fish" rather than a longboard.[11]
- Mattison won a gold medal with Team USA in the 2011 ISA World Championships in Punta Roca, El Salvador[12][13] Mattison was part of the USA Master's Team with former three time ASP world champion Tom Curren and fellow professional surfer Jim Hogan.
- Mattison is a member of the Jacksonville Surfing Hall of Fame.[14]
- Mattison won the U.S. Open of Surfing Master's Division the same year that his wife won fourth in the women's.