Later he grew up surfing at Maroubra, New South Wales with fellow Bra Boys the Abberton brothers and his ambition was to become a big wave surfer.
[1] His first surfing of big waves occurred at Shipstern Bluff which saw him featured in photos and videos and gave him his start as a professional when sponsors were attracted.
[13] He also featured in an episode of ABC's Australian Story called Scared Straight about a documentary being produced about the Bra Boys.
Mathews appeared in two Australian big wave films featuring Kelly Slater, Journey and Encoded (2014).
[17] In an interview in February 2017 Matthews admitted that the injury may end his career as doctors had advised that nerve damage may stop him from surfing in his usual style.