For Immediate Release:
Association of Professional Towsurfers (APT)
Olympia, WA - November 30, 2006

The Association of Professional Towsurfers (APT) has been granted approval in securing dates and locations outside of Hawaii to schedule the Hawaii State Tow-In License, Two-Day Ocean Safety Educational Certification Program. This will be the first time the Hawaii State required ocean safety educational course is being presented outside of its state.

Class Instructor: Ian Masterson from Hawaii
Guest Speaker(s): TBA
Class Dates: January 13-14, 2007
Location: 4400 Jade Street, Capitola Parks and Recreation Dept., Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $300.00
Class size: Limited to 25 individuals on a first come basis
Reservation Deadline: December 31, 2006

Course Description:

You will learn about the legal and regulatory requirements for persons who participate in the sport of tow-in surfing in Hawaii; risk management principles; local ocean safety principles and practices; rules and laws pertaining to protected species in ocean waters in Hawaii; boating skills as they apply to the sport of tow-in surfing; and the historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii's ocean users. All who engage in the sport of tow-in surfing in Hawaii must complete this course. Topics of current California boating laws and the MBNMS will be included.

Why take the Hawaii State tow-in license certification program in CA?

1) This class will grant you a Hawaii state tow-in license certification and access to Hawaiian oceans while governed by rules and regulations as a towsurfer thru DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources of Hawaii. This class is about ocean safety, education, and awareness which can be applied anywhere.

2) This course will also include a section on CA boating laws, the MBNMS and our current issues.

3) (Support the movement) APT has officially adopted the Hawaii State tow-in licensing program with the intent of creating an international tow-in license based off the proven success of this certification program. Our first step will be to have the State of California and California Department of Boating and Waterways recognize this as a valued program and looked upon as a possible and positive solution to banning recreational PWC's use and tow-in surfing in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

4) So we can utilize this class as a platform to invite city, county, and state officials, MBNMS members, Surfrider Foundation, NOAA reps., etc. to show that we can be responsible, safe, and conscious of our surrounding environment and marine mammals while enjoying our sport. Most importantly, we are taking a pro active position in demonstrating the effectiveness of education, ocean safety, and regulations.

5) (SAVE MONEY AND TIME)To fly to Hawaii, pay all the miscellaneous expenses, and take the class would cost you roughly $800-$1,000 or more depending on travel arrangements.

During the scheduled class, an APT representative will be available to answer questions and pass out membership forms. If you take this class, APT is requiring that each student become a supporting member of APT. As a competing member of APT, you will then have the opportunity to enter any of our upcoming World Qualifying Events and fight for a position on the APT world Tour Tow-in Surfing Circuit. If you are not interested in competing, you can be a member that supports our goals and mission for the future of the sport. More info at: www.Protowsurfers.org and www.Towsurfer.com.

APT has a GROWING membership base and we are fighting for our members to preserve the rights to access our oceans for recreational, business, and the tow-in surfing, by means of MPWC use.

We are asking that all CA and international towsurfers who tow surf in HI and CA oceans to become certified through the Hawaii State Tow-In Licensing program and become members of APT.

Suggestions and or ideas are welcome in order to utilize this classroom opportunity to our fullest benefit in this current stage we are in with the MBNMS and NOAA MPWC Ban.

If you would like to register for this up coming class in Santa Cruz, CA please contact us at the below information:

Registration and Media Contact:
Eric Akiskalian, Founder/President
Association of Professional Towsurfers (APT)
805-455-7073
Eric@Protowsurfers.org

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