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Matthew Thomas Breaks Record on Hydro Bike Ride from Catalina to Newport Beach!
Yes, he did it again, only this time faster!
In 2022, after battling fierce seas and getting blown off-course his time was over 11 hours. (This inaugural ride was the subject of the well-received 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival Entry “Putting Ability in Disability”.)
In 2023 Matt’s time was 9 hours, 2 minutes. This year, he pedaled in at an incredible 8 hours and 37 minutes – a new personal best!
Read more about the event HERE at Stu News Newport. (You will need to scroll down a bit)
Click HERE for the Official Event Press Release.
Visit Positive-Matters.org to learn more about Matthew Thomas and his mission. (Positive Matters is non-profit corporation)
Get the Details about Matt Thomas’ October 13 Hydrobike Ride on the Love Catalina Island Website
Learn all about Matt Thomas’ upcoming 3rd Annual Catalina to Newport Beach Hydrobike Ride on the Love Catalina Island website. Just click HERE to get the details about event times and places.
Matt, a coma survivor, is riding to raise awareness about the needs and treatment of people in comas and those with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), and to also set a new record! (He is aiming to complete the ride in 8 hours or less)
Click HERE for the Official Event Press Release.
Visit Positive-Matters.org to learn more about Matthew Thomas and his mission. (Positive Matters is non-profit corporation)
Positive Matters Organization Fundraiser at Balboa Island Museum was a Huge Success!
The Balboa Island Museum Newport Beach hosted Matthew Thomas’ 3rd Annual Hydro Bike Ride fundraiser to benefit Positive Matters Organization with food and libations – along with a silent auction that was a terrific success. (Matt is pictured with Jim “Poorman” Trenton of Costa Mesa’s KOCI 101.5 FM)
Additional auction items of fine art, photography and experiences are still available live, so head over to the auction to support Positive Matters Organization. You can browse, bid or buy action items at https://givebutter.com/c/2Ki14K/auction.
Read more about the event here: Positive Matters Organization fundraiser 091324 – Stu News Newport
Matt Thomas 3rd Annual Catalina to Newport Hydrobike Ride, October 13, 2024!
Get your portable chairs, sunscreen and banners ready, because Matt Thomas is pedaling across the Pacific Ocean on his trusty Hydro Bike from Catalina to Newport Beach AGAIN – on Sunday, October 13, 2024 will mark the 3rd Annual Hydro Bike Ride.
Matt is leaving Avalon, Catalina at 7:30am Saturday morning and plans to arrive at the Orange County Harbor Patrol at 1901 Bayside Drive, Corona Del Mar CA 92625 between 4:00-6:00pm.
Our 3rd Annual Hydro Bike finishing line will be hosted by radio legend Jim “Poorman” Trenton. Tune in to the Poorman’s Morning Rush on KOCI 101.5 FM (Or via the internet) from 7-11am, M-F for the latest news and details.
Click HERE for the Official Event Press Release.
The 2023 Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade – Up Close!
If you want to see the 2023 Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade up close and personal, check out this short video shot from some of the best seats in town!
Highlight Video of Matthew Thomas’ 2023 Catalina to Newport Hydrobike Ride!
Check out this short video of my recent 9 hour hydrobike pedal from Catalina Island to Newport Beach, California. If you were at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club that day, you are probably in the video somewhere!
Short Re-Cap Video of the 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament!
Got 3 minutes? Relive the fun & festivities of the 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament, held on February 17, 2023 at the Newport Beach Golf Club. If you were there, you are probably in this video. The next tournament is planned for April 18th, 2024! Visit this website often between now and then for updates and details.
Watch Matt’s 2023 Catalina to Newport Hydrobike Ride Segment on ABC Channel 7 News!
In case you missed it when it aired, here is the profile produced by ABC Channel 7’s Tony Cabrera on Matt’s recent Catalina to Newport Beach hydrobike pedal! Click the link below to watch:
Newport Beach man overcomes odds, uses ocean hydro-bike ride to inspire, raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries – ABC7 Los Angeles
“Putting Ability in Disability” Screening at the 24th Annual 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival!
HUGE News! The 30 minute short documentary film “Putting Ability in Disability”, which documents Matt Thomas’ epic 2022 hydrobike pedal from Catalina to Newport Beach, has been accepted and will be screened at the 24th Annual 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival.
This is a very big deal. The NBFF is a world-class film festival with over 3000 entries from all over the globe. Only 300 films make the cut and are screened. (There were over 200 entries in the short documentary category alone.) The festival runs from October 12-19th, 2023. Screening time(s) to be announced soon.
In the meantime, watch the official trailer for “Putting Ability in Disability” above.
Learn more about the festival here: Homepage 2022 | Newport Beach Film Festival
Last year was about endurance; this time it’s about speed
Get your portable chairs, sunscreen and banners ready, because Matt Thomas is pedaling on his trusty hydrobike from Catalina to Newport Beach AGAIN – on Saturday, September 16th, 2023. Last year, he was out on the water for over 10 hours fighting heavy wind and surf. This year, weather permitting, he is shooting to complete the crossing in only 7 hours!
Matt is leaving Avalon, Catalina at about 7:30am Saturday morning and plans to arrive at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Newport Beach between 3:00-4:00pm.
Plan on more people, more fun, more chase boats and a bigger after-party at the Bahia Corinthian – all hosted by radio legend Jim “Poorman” Trenton. Tune in to the Poorman’s Morning Rush on KOCI 101.5 FM (Or via the internet) from 7-11am, M-F for the latest news and details.
The Matthew Thomas KOCI 101.5 FM Neuron Report Program Archive – Listen Here!
If you can’t listen to The Matthew Thomas Neuron Report live every Friday at 9:20 am on KOCI 101.5 FM with the Poorman, you can check out past shows right here 24-7! New shows will be added every week – or as soon as we can get the audio files and upload them.
Matt is a coma and traumatic brain injury survivor, and along with a wide range of guests, provides unique insights on recovering and living with disabilities:
5/03/24 The Neuron Report with Guest Erin
4/26/24 The Neuron Report – Neurofit360 ATL with Kylie & Hina
4/19/24 The Neuron Report – Post Tournament Report
4/12/24 The Neuron Report – Golf Tournament Promo
3/29/24 The Neuron Report with Guest Morgan
3/22/24 The Neuron Report with Guests Ricky and Angela
3/15/24 The Neuron Report with Guests Rudy and Lori
3/08/24 The Neuron Report – DUI Talks with Marines
3/01/24 The Neuron Report with Guest Sheriff Rubright
2/23/24 The Neuron Report with Guest Juliana (Making Authentic Friendships)
2/16/24 The Neuron Report with Guest Louise
2/09/24 The Neuron Report with Guest Erin
2/2/24 The Neuron Report with Guest Coma Ted
1/26/24 The Neuron Report with Guest Rich
1/19/24 The Neuron Report with Guest Kristy
12/29/23 The Neuron Report – Misc Topics & 2024 Preview
12/22/23 The Neuron Report – Misc Topics
12/15/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Kim
12/01/23 The Neuron Report with Jenny (Billy Hicks Sister)
11/24/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Gene Bonilla
11/17/23 The Neuron Report with Guests Mike and Jennifer Barnett
11/10/23 The Neuron Report – Matt Takes Questions
11/03/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Chris
10/27/23 The Neuron Report – Various Topics & Callers
10/06/23 The Neuron Report – NB Film Festival Promo
10/03/23 The Neuron Report – Discuss ABC CH 7 Profile & Coverage
9/29/23 The Neuron Report – Discuss NB Film Festival Screening
9/22/23 The Neuron Report – Hydrobike Ride Re-Cap
9/15/23 The Neuron Report (On the Way to Catalina)
9/08/23 The Neuron Report – Pre-Hydrobike Ride Discussion
9/01/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Billy Hicks
8/25/23 The Neuron Report with Various Callers
8/18/23 The Neuron Report (Postponing Hydrobike Ride)
8/11/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Chris
8/04/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Genevieve Richardson – Speech Pathologist
7/28/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Haley Jefferson
7/21/23 The Neuron Report with Various Callers
7/14/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Mark Terpening (Matt’s Editor)
7/07/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Brandon
6/30/23 The Neuron Report – 32 Year Anniversary of Matt’s Accident
6/16/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Eddie McLean
6/09/23 The Neuron Report – Matt Being Mistaken as Intoxicated
6/02/23 The Neuron Report – Matt Thomas (On the Hydro Bike)
5/26/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Donaldo
5/19/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Ivy
5/12/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Thomas (Motorcycle Accident)
4/28/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Elliot
4/21/23 The Neuron Report – Matt Thomas (MADD Speeches)
4/14/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Nurse Betty
4/07/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Angela Levitt
To hear the program live, you can tune in via the radio, or stream through the KOCI website at KOCIRADIO.COM Orange County’s Community Radio Station
Listen to Matt Every Friday on KOCI 101.5 FM!
Matthew Thomas is now on the air every Friday at 9:20 am during the Poorman’s Morning Rush radio show on KOCI 101.5 FM with his new segment called “The Neuron Report”.
As a coma and traumatic brain injury survivor, Matt not only provides unique insights on recovering and living with disabilities, but also offers inspiration to everyone on how to achieve their goals and live their best life – no matter how difficult the task or objective.
Matt is a natural on the radio, and applies his trademark rollicking, freeform style to make even the most serious subject matter entertaining, poignant and informative.
You can tune in via the radio, or stream through the KOCI website at KOCIRADIO.COM Orange County’s Community Radio Station
RECAP: 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament!
It happened and it happened big… by all accounts, the 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament (What’s Your Handicap?) was a smashing success!
The event was held on February 17th, 2023 at the Newport Beach Golf Course & adjacent Original Pizza II Sports Bar, and was completely SOLD OUT. Over 80 golfers of all skill levels joined Matthew and enjoyed a crisp, sunny Friday on the links. Players competed in a shotgun/scramble format for cash prizes and retro-cool custom trophies.
Radio legend Jim “Poorman” Trenton of KOCI 101.5 FM was on hand to host the festivities and actually played golf himself – while wearing eternally fashionable Ugg Boots. It didn’t go very well. Estate Sale Wizard Aime McCrory (aka Mrs. Poorman) organized and ran the silent auction which featured a number of Matthew’s beautifully framed wildlife photos, a new snowboard & accessories, premium Bose headphones, legal services, gift certificates, tickets and more.
A full Italian food buffet and a bunch of pizzas greeted the players after the tournament, who were then loudly serenaded by the musical stylings of The Durbs (thedurbs.com), Bridget Purdy, and a crowd-pleasing performance by the Tasty Nugz.
We’re all looking forward to doing it bigger and better in 2024!
What’s Your Handicap? 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament
Join us for the 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament on Feb 27, 2023, 11:00am at Newport Beach Golf Course to promote awareness and raise funds to assist people with traumatic brain injuries.
In addition to a great cause and a fine day of golf, there will be prizes, raffles, a silent auction, live bands and more! The event will be hosted by radio legend Jim “Poorman” Trention of KOCI 101.5 FM. Entry fee is only $99.95. Visit our Store to sign up!
Talking with The Poorman
Matt and radio legend Jim “Poorman” Trenton of KOCI FM discuss his upcoming world record hydrobike ride attempt.
Watch Matt on NBC Channel 4 Los Angeles!
Before his epic hydrobike ride on August, 20, 2022, Matt was interviewed by NBC 4’s Orange County Reporter Vikki Vargas. Watch the NBC segment here.
Epic Hydrobike Ride from Catalina to Newport!
“Putting Ability in Disability” is a new documentary coming soon about Matt’s EPIC hydrobike ride from Catalina to Newport Beach. Check out the trailer below. The film is being entered in the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival, so it’s not yet available for general release. Check positive-matters.org frequently for more information and listen to the Poorman’s Morning Rush on KOCI 101.5 FM for updates!