Exclusive report written by Stephen Weber
US Navy SEAL finds solitude on his kayak
To become a US Navy SEAL in the military is one of the hardest things to do. Not only do you have to be the top of the top, but you have to be able to conquer the sea, air, and land.
Sean Matson, a decorated Navy SEAL for over 13 years is one of the very few who have served his country in every way possible. Now retired, Sean lives next to a lake (as his love of the water will never retire) and has formed a company with his military brothers called MATBOCK that creates and innovates products that those in-service can use to help survive across the sea, air and land.
We spoke exclusively to Sean about life in retirement away from active duty, the lessons he learned on the water as a SEAL and how the water and paddling has helped his mindset in life overall.
Why is paddling and being out on the water so important to you and your mindset as a person?
I’ve grown up in and around water all my life. Being on the water is peaceful and calming, which allows me to think. I’ve also always used exercise as a way for me to reset myself both mentally and physically. Getting out to paddle allows me to enjoy both nature and exercise.
When was the first time you paddled and were out on the water?
One of my earliest memories was when we went on a rafting trip with my church when I was probably in fourth or fifth grade.
Here is a great video to show all the details of the MR Dry Bag: https://youtu.be/4JD-udJExQA
As a Navy SEAL, what types of water training did you have to do? Anything with kayaks, canoes, or other types of boats?
We have to know how to use a lot of different types of watercrafts from SUPs to boats, but usually that training is more specialised and I never went more than just the basics. One of the sayings in the SEAL teams is a ‘jack of all trades, but a master of none’. We spend a lot of time underwater, diving 100% oxygen rebreathers and utilize kayaks, SUPs and jet skis as safety.
You are now retired from active military service and currently live next to a lake. How often do you get out on the water? What types of kayaks/canoes do you use?
During the spring/summer and early fall it is usually four-five times a week. A group of us do a weekly workout where we incorporate the lake during the summer months. I don’t have anything expensive, but we do own a SUP and kayak, both are plastic so the kids can enjoy them too and I don’t care if they run them into the rocks.
As a business owner and inventor now post-military, your company MATBOCK has created an incredible state-of-the-art dry bag. Tell us about it and what sets it apart from others on the market?
The biggest difference between our MR Dry Bag and our competitors is that our bag allows for unmatched versatility, durability and ease of use. It comes with a rigid frame which is critical when hiking in more than 40lbs worth of gear. The internal bag is easily accessible with a simple zip of the clamshell zipper on the outer dry bag. Simply unzip the outer dry bag to access your internal bag, which is hard-mounted to the frame allowing you to operate from your internal bag without having to dig through a bunch of gear. This simple, but effective design gives you the ability to quickly access all gear from anywhere in your internal bag. You can also quickly detach your internal bag from the frame to use your internal bag in a dry environment.
Will you be creating any other products related to paddlers and those seeking adventure (or that can be used for rescue) on the water?
We have looked at others in the past, but unfortunately they just haven’t fit our business model enough to pursue them. We are looking to pyramid shifting technologies that disrupt the competition, some of our products have a bigger shift than others, but that is our goal. We are definitely not opposed to bringing others to the market, we just haven’t found the right ones yet.
Any fun or interesting paddling stories you can share? Any neat adventures you’ve been on dealing with paddling and your time around the globe?
This didn’t involve paddling, but when we were on an assignment to South Africa, my platoon and I got one day off where we all went great white shark diving. One of the coolest adventures that I have been able to do thus far in my life and I plan to go again.
Where is one place you want to still explore most?
Australia. It has some many different types of terrains that I find interesting. I’d love to go there and spend a few weeks exploring all the different terrains.
Do you ever miss your time as a Navy SEAL?
I miss the people! I miss the brotherhood of serving beside other people that have my same mentally, but I definitely don’t miss the BS that came with it.
Anything else ‘paddling’ related you wish to add?
Just get out and enjoy being able to be in nature.
