Tow-in event to determine best in world
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Tow-in surfing is finally being pulled into competition.
The inaugural World Championship of Big Wave Tow-In Surfing is scheduled to take place this winter off the north shore of Maui.
The one-day event could take place anytime between Nov. 17 and Jan. 12, and only on a day when wave faces are at least 40 feet high. The contest will take place at Pe'ahi, or "Jaws," a remote area made famous in the wave-riding world by tow-in surfers.
"If the conditions are right, this could be as dynamic as any sporting event in the world," said Ken Bradshaw, one of several invited surfers from Hawai'i.
Tow-in surfing received its description because surfers are towed by jet skis into waves that are otherwise too large to be paddled into by arm. In essence, it is similar to water skiing, except the surfer releases the tow rope and is on his own to surf on the wave.
The sport was created by Hawai'i surfers in the early 1990s. Within the past three years, surfers around the world, including Bradshaw, have been towed in to waves estimated to be as high as 60 feet.
"It's the natural progression of big-wave surfing," Bradshaw said. "In order to surf waves that big, you need to be towed in."
Garrett McNamara, another Hawai'i participant, added: "What you'll see is a whole new realm of surfing. It is the future of big-wave surfing."
Thirty surfers — 15 two-man teams — have been invited to compete for the $70,000 top prize. More than $122,000 will be awarded, including $1,500 to each team.
Each surfer must alternate spots, meaning each must be proficient at both surfing and handling the jet ski. Each team will surf two separate 30-minute heats, with the top six waves counting toward the final score.
"You're only as good as your partner," said McNamara, who will team with Brazilian Rodrigo Resende. "It takes total teamwork."
To assure safety, each competitor will be equipped with a flotation device. Also, lifeguards aboard four rescue jet skis will be patrolling the area throughout the contest.
"Most of the (competitors) are experienced at this," Bradshaw said. "We've been waiting for something like this for a while, so we're excited. This is the first real contest for tow-in surfing, and from what I can tell, it's very valid."
NOTE: The invited teams (subject to change) are: Peter Mel/Ken Collins; Darryl Virostko/Shaun Barron; Mike Parsons/Brad Gerlach; Ross Clarke-Jones/Tony Ray; Tom Carroll/Kelly Slater; Brian Keaulana/Brock Little; Darrick Doerner/Makua Rothman; Carlos Burle/Eraldo Gueiros; Noah Johnson/Shane Dorian; Ken Bradshaw/Dan Moore; Luke Hargreaves/Sierra Emory; Rodrigo Resende/Garrett McNamara; Vetea David/Arsene Harehoe; Buzzy Kerbox/Mark Anderson; Archie Kalepa/Victor Lopez.
