Stab Magazine | Matt Pagan Makes Los Angeles Look Palatable

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Matt Pagan Makes Los Angeles Look Palatable

Gather ’round, it’s time to give LA beach breaks their time in the surf spotlight. 

cinema // Jun 13, 2017
Words by stab
Reading Time: < 1 minutes

I met Matt Pagan during the Hurricane Marie swell. I was trying to take photos of anyone I recognised, and I met Matt. Being from the dismal beach breaks of Los Angeles myself, he was someone who I’d looked up to. Anyone who had gained any sort of skill in Los Angeles waves was worthy of that. Matt was the first person to pay me for my filming. He was also the first one to take me on a surf trip as a filmer. Sumatra was a little over my head for a first trip, but he took me nonetheless. I owe him a lot for that. 

It’s been some time since we worked together, but when he puts out a new clip, I get excited. He works full-time, surfs as much as he can and can still hustle together clips worthy of RVCA’s support. He’s keeping the dream alive, it’s something I can’t help but respect. 

I think his surfing has found a truly genuine state. He seems to have finally shaken free from the ill affects the WQS can have on ones surfing. He’ll always be a staple in the LA surf scene, but Matt’s recognised in lineups from Indo to Pipeline. Here he is up and down the greater region of Southern California, but mostly at home somehow escaping tube in the constant closeout that is LA. 

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