SurfPulse » PWC

No PWC Assists at Rip Curl Contest in San Francisco in November, 2011

matt — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:17:44 +0000

According to a letter released by the GGNRA, organizers of the Rip Curl Pro Search surf contest that will be held at Ocean Beach in November will not be allowed to tow contestants out to the lineup by personal watercraft (PWC). Lifeguards will have PWC on the beach for rescue purposes, and it will be at the lifeguards’ discretion whether to launch their PWC.

More information, including the letter from the GGNRA, at the Ocean Beach Bulletin.

Photo: Vicki & Chuck Rogers (via flickr)

Revised Tow-In PWC Rules at Maverick’s

matt — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:53:46 +0000

As part of a major expansion of federal rules governing three marine sanctuaries, the federal government will allow the use of non-rescue PWC at Maverick’s during high surf advisories.

For more information regarding this issue, as well as other federal decisions regarding these marine sanctuaries (including the banning of chumming for great white sharks off the Farallones), read the Los Angeles Times article (11/21/2008).

The new NOAA management plan is here: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/jointplan/

CCC Recommends Tow Ban in Monterey Bay

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:22:17 +0000

The California Coastal Commission has formally recommended to NOAA a total ban of PWC use in most of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, including Ghost Tree in Carmel. However, a partial ban with permited use was the recommendation for Maverick’s. For more information, read Evan Slater’s article at Surfing Magazine.

The full commission report may be found here.

K38 Open Water Rescue Boat Course from Wednesday, March 7 to Friday, March 9, 2007

admin — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

This 3-day water rescue course provides students with the basic boating skills needed to operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC). Seasonal conditions can be quite extreme, so please bring proper thermal protection for site location and time of year. Course begins with classroom instruction, but consisting mainly of on-water rescue exercises, this course covers riding and rescue techniques for a single operator and operator/rescuer, or for patrol needs of department personnel.

Training incorporates hands-on training with multiple skill stations, mock rescue drills, and rescue board techniques, as well as downed PWC retrievals, boat maintenance, troubleshooting, and considerations for implementing a successful PWC program. The course provides many rescue evaluations from actual incidents, video, extensive workbook information, technical boat handling skills, boat/oil/fuel and necessary gear associated with the instructional overview, with the exception of mandatory personal gear. Students will receive a workbook, tests, homework, skill sheets, and a certificate upon satisfactory completion.

This is an extremely physically demanding course: students must be in excellent physical condition and be competent ocean swimmers with good knowledge of surf conditions and ocean dynamics. All participants will be required to sign waivers and provide emergency contact sheets. Night Operations training is optional. Must be at least 18 years of age.

Class Title: K38 Open Water Rescue Boat Course
Class Start Date: 3/7/2007
Class Finish Date: 3/9/2007
Class Duration (Total Days): 3
Daily Class Breakdown / Time: 8:30AM Day One – 6:30PM 9:00AM Day Two – 1:00AM Night Operations 9:00AM Day Three – 7:00PM
Location: Morro Bay, California
Registration Deadline: 3/1/2007
Host Agency & Contact: Morro Bay Harbor Department, AWA H2O Responders
Classroom Site: Morro Bay (Info give upon registration)
Class Tuition: $430.00
Class Size: 24
Mandatory Personal Gear: Wetsuit (minimum 4/3 recommended or what applies to current temperature needs) or drysuit, helmet, booties, gloves, hand held waterproof flashlight for night operations, USCG Approved Personal Flotation Device, Glo stick (yellow) reflective gear on helmets or thermal wear if applicable, eye protection, snacks and food as needed.
Recommended Gear: Swim fins with a fin belt, Rescue Knife, gear that is conducive to the proper water environment and temperatures, throw bag, other gear that you would traditionally be required to use/wear so you become accustomed to it during the training period.

For further information or to register, visit www.shawnalladio.com

PWC Industry Responds to San Jose Mercury Article

matt — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 23:22:18 +0000

Maureen Healey, Executive Director of the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, recently responded to a San Jose Mercury news article regarding the proposed ban on personal watercraft (PWC) in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a debate that pits tow-in surfers against environmentalists and other surfers opposed to the use of PWC at surf breaks.

Public hearings have ended on the proposed law banning PWC, and now National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials are considering and finalizing a plan due this coming spring and then sent to the U.S. Congress.

Whether for or against the ban, or in favor of a reasonable compromise, you still have the opportunity to make your views known to NOAA and to your congressional representatives in the House and the Senate. Send an email or a letter to have your concerns heard.

NOAA Public Hearings on Tow-In PWC Use on December 5 and 6, 2006

admin — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 23:22:18 +0000

There are three public hearings next week, on December 5th and 6th, to let your views be known on the use of personal watercraft (PWC) for tow-in surfing in the National Marine Sanctuary Program:

Dec 5th, 6:30 P.M., U.C. Santa Cruz Inn and Conference Center, 611 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Dec 5th, 6:30 P.M., Fort Mason Center, Firehouse, (Northeast corner of Center) San Francisco, CA 94019

Dec 6th, 6:30 P.M., Community United Methodist Church, 777 Miramontes Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

The NMSP will accept public comments until January 5, 2007.
JMPR E-Mail: jointplancomments@noaa.gov
Public Comment Form to fax or mail to the Sanctuary (pdf 100k):
http://sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov/jointplan/involved.html

Brady Phillips
JMPR Coordinator
NOAA-National Marine Sanctuary Program
1305 East-West Hwy, N/ORM-6
Silver Spring, MD 20910
PH: (301) 713-3125, ext264
FAX:(301) 713-0404
EMAIL: bradyphillips@noaa.gov

Where to get more info?
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary:

Rachel Saunders
PH: (831) 647-4237
Fax: (831) 647-4250
EMAIL: rachel.saunders@noaa.gov

APT Hawaii State Tow-In License Course in Santa Cruz from January 13 to 14, 2007

admin — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 23:22:16 +0000

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

To Tow Or Not To Tow

admin — Mon, 18 Mar 2002 15:21:01 +0000

There has been a great deal of debate lately over the merits of tow-in surfing or, more specifically, Personal Watercraft (PWC) in the lineup. At the risk throwing myself headlong into the middle of the controversy, I do have a few thoughts on the matter. Imagine your favorite surf spot buzzing with multiple wave runners, whipping surfers into head-high peaks while you attempt to paddle into waves. The tow-in surfers are up and riding on swells before you even have the opportunity to begin paddling for approaching sets. Sound far-fetched? This scenario might not be far off. Complaints are beginning to come in from up and down the coast in response to the appearance of PWC’s at local lineups.

I personally was surfing one of the best days of the year this past winter on the west side of Santa Cruz, when a motorized crew arrived and began towing into 6-8 foot surf (that’s right, 6-8 foot surf), actually spraying paddle-in surfers as they flew by. Once more, these were two high profile, long-time professional surfers from Santa Cruz, likely viewed as icons by many of the local surfing population. It’s not hard to envision impressionable kids watching acts like these, taking note, assuming this is acceptable behavior.

In my opinion this is not only unacceptable, but also intolerable, and I am not alone in my thinking. PWC’s have no place in the every-day surfing lineup, and should be banned with few exceptions. Never mind the unfair advantages they create for the “motor-assisted” surfer over the paddle-in surfer, the noise they create and the exhaust fumes they generate contradict the very reason most people go surfing in the first place. Consider by comparison if hikers in a beautiful area such as Yosemite were subjected to motorcycles roaring past them on hiking trails. This would not be tolerated, and the same should hold true for PWC’s in surfing areas. I say this not only as an environmentalist, but also as a surfer and water enthusiast who enjoys the beauty and tranquility of the ocean.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), overseers of the nation’s marine sanctuaries, is currently considering a move to ban all PWC’s in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) – with no exceptions. This would cover the area roughly from Marin County to the north down to San Luis Obispo County to the south. Several environmental organizations are backing the potential ban, including the San Mateo chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. While I support this movement in sentiment, I believe some modifications are necessary. First off, a ban on motorized watercraft should include exceptions for use in search and rescue. For obvious reasons, search and rescue groups and other emergency crew provide a vital role in water safety, and should be exempt from standard PWC restrictions, both in terms of specific sites as well as transportation between locations. The NOAA so far appears to agree on this point. Next, I believe allowances should be made for PWC use a certain distance from shore, say 1/2 mile. This would allow the same type of recreational use that, for example, boats enjoy, while keeping the noise and exhaust of PWC’s a safer distance away from coastal habitats, beach enthusiasts, and surfing areas. Currently within the MBNMS, Personal Watercraft are allowed to operate in “designated zones and access routes within the Sanctuary.” These zones do not currently exclude surfing areas or stipulate specific distances from shore, but were drawn based on launch ramps, boating channels, and designated off-limit zones such as swimming areas and sensitive coastal habitats.

Finally, big-wave surfing areas, including Mavericks, should be exempt from a ban as well. These spots, few in number, break so infrequently that their impact in terms of overall PWC use is minimal. They can continue to be self-policed, honoring the previously used code of no motors while there are paddlers. What constitutes select big-wave spots as exceptions is of course another debate altogether. Mavericks is an obvious choice, and has been at the very center of the tow-in controversy. But there are other, less well-known spots that might also apply. In the end, any exceptions policy for PWC’s is a challenging proposition, and will likely be a source of ongoing contention. That does not mean a compromise cannot be reached – one that is sensible to all parties.

Here in Northern California, the PWC issue has taken on special significance, as Mavericks has become one of the premier tow-in centers in the world. Unlike its big-wave brethrens in Hawaii, many of which break on outer reefs and are arguably not surf-able without the assistance of powered watercraft, Mavericks began its surfing life as a paddle-in wave and during any given winter hosts more paddle-in surfers than tow-in surfers. This means it’s one of the few spots to actively share both tow-in and paddle-in surfing, inevitably resulting in growing conflict. Mavericks aside, the broader issue remains how to limit PWC use within surf zones in general. Surely there’s policy that can be adopted to do just that, while still allowing for limited use at select sites. Whether or not a ban on PWC’s is put into place in Northern California or beyond, you can be sure the tow-in debate will continue to rev on within the surfing community.

Get some waves. – DL