An Introduction to Tow-in Surfing
Extreme surfing using a surfboard and personal watercraft
Learn more about extreme tow-in surfing that uses a personal watercraft to reach the great waves
If surfing big waves is an extreme sport, then tow-in surfing defines and tests the severe limits of this sport. Tow-in surfing is a team sport, one person operates a personal watercraft (PWC) towing the athlete rider of a specially modified surfboard. Tow-in surfing allows a surfer to start on the face of huge waves that are unreachable by board paddling alone. Some tow-in surfers have also used helicopters for this purpose. The waves being tackled by these adventurers are in the 40+ foot class, found in areas like Peahi of Maui and Teahupoo of Tahiti. One of the pioneers of this sport, Laird Hamilton, can be viewed here tow-in surfing at Teahupoo.
Regulations and Issues Surrounding Tow-in Surfing
It goes without saying that tow-in surfing is a dangerous sport and not for the uninitiated. Participants stress that it takes a great deal of training and hard work to tow-in surf safely. Team member safety depends on the skill of the PWC operator to monitor the surfer's position and stay just behind the break of the wave, ready to retrieve the surfer quickly. The PWC operator needs to pick up the surfer at the end of a run or after a fall, before next towering mass of water crashes down on both of them. Teams learn to work closely with each other and often reverse their roles.
Explosive growth and conflicts with paddling boarders sparked some concerns for safety and resulted in increased regulation of the sport. Hawaii has established a certification course for tow-in surfers that covers topics like ocean safety, boating regulations, and risk management for operation in their waters. Hawaii's course does not teach you how to tow-in or surf the big waves. Industry groups are working to be safe, proactive and ensure the sport has minimal impacts to other users, wildlife and the environment.
Regulation of popular tow-in surfing areas is also taking place, often in concert with other agency regulations currently being proposed for PWC operations. These rules can include items like the establishment of fixed operating areas, prohibiting approaches no closer than 3,000 feet to a shoreline, avoidance of others in the water, and designating beach landing areas for PWC tow craft.
Tow-in surfing teams use some specialized equipment. Both team members wear an USCG approved PFD that are impact rated. Surfboards are specially designed for towing behind a PWC and have foot straps. Along with the safety equipment normally carried on a PWC, it will also tow an attached rescue sled, carry a bow towline, and utilize a quick-release floating towrope for the surfer.
Are You Still Interested?
If you are interesting in finding out more on tow-in surfing, there are many resources available on the web. Consider taking a safety class, observe a local competition, and have a look at these sites:
- Association of Professional Towsurfers (APT)
- TowSurfer.com
- Ocean Safety Reminders from Shawn Alladio
- Tow Surfing Adventures
- Big Wave Safety
