When it comes to indoor tug of war competitions, the quality of the matting surface can make or break an event. Slippery or poorly constructed mats not only compromise athlete performance but also create serious safety risks. For South American tug of war clubs, federations, and event organizers seeking reliable, competition-grade matting, understanding proper mat construction is essential.

Indoor tug of war mats are specialized rubber surfaces designed to provide maximum grip and durability under extreme pulling forces. The only matting officially recommended by the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) is Dunlomat, a premium rubber matting originally developed by Dunlop Conveyor Belting in the Netherlands .

TWIF Competition Specifications

For official competition use, the mat must meet these exact specifications :

• Thickness: 10mm
• Width: 1000mm (1 meter)
• Length: 36 meters total
• Weight: Over 325kg for a full competition mat

Construction Details

The construction of a proper indoor tug of war mat involves several critical elements:

Material Composition: The mat features an extremely strong yet flexible inner carcass of polyester nylon, protected by high-quality Dunlop "Rufftop" super-grip rubber covers on the upper surface. The underside has a smoother "fabric print" surface specifically designed to make gluing easy and secure .

Assembly Method: For competition use, the 36-meter mat is typically cut into 2-meter sections and bonded to a solid plywood base. The assembly process includes :

• Cutting rubber matting into 2-meter lengths
• Acquiring 18mm thick plywood cut to 2-meter sections
• Cutting plywood to the width of the rubber plus approximately 110mm extra
• Using strong adhesive (such as Evo-Stik 528) to bond rubber to the plywood
• Allowing 55mm of plywood to protrude on each side of the rubber
• Securing with screws at approximately 25mm intervals
• Adding plywood side strips to cover the edges

 

Why TWIF-Approved Matting Matters

Many manufacturers produce general-purpose rubber matting, but the vast majority—over 95%—is mass-produced, low-grade material that lacks the durability and grip required for competition use . At a European championship, three of five mats in use were not genuine Dunlomat, and competitors complained they were too slippery—the event could only continue using the two genuine mats .

Annilte: Your Trusted Partner for Premium Rubber Matting

Annilte is a leading Chinese conveyor belt manufacturer with over 15 years of experience, ISO quality certification, and SGS Gold Product Manufacturer status . Our expertise in rubber manufacturing positions us to supply the high-quality rubber matting that South American tug of war organizations need.

Serving the South American Market

Annilte has already established a strong presence in South America, particularly in Brazil's agricultural sector . We understand the specific needs and quality expectations of South American customers and are ready to provide the premium rubber matting solutions that indoor tug of war competitions demand.