Tow-In

SpearoPaul · 01-26-2009, 02:53 AM

Looking, and wondering if there are any tow-in people here on this forum other than Bill and myself.

Finally got the last piece of equipment needed yesterday (the tow board) and went out today for zero waves (too small, all waves breaking too close to the beach, not legal to tow into them) - we just practiced pulling each other out of the water, pulling each other around and retrieving each other.

My tow in partner and my wife (who both are tow-certified in this state) honestly couldn't handle eating it on anything bigger than 10' wave I think, so I'm hoping to find some guys on this island to hook up with who are more capable.

I don't know my water limits because I've never found them (except as a kid when I drowned three different times) but if I had to guess, I'd be fine in 20-30' waves, depending on how hard they break.

Relaxed breath hold time: 4 minutes, have exceed 120' depths while free-diving. I spearfish regularly in 70-110' of water. I don't consider myself particularly fit although I do exercise daily. I don't do deep sand running, rock running, etc - I'm not that hardcore.

Surfing - I'm nothing fancy. I ride longboards almost all the time, but love my big-wave guns (9'6" up) although I can almost never justify using them when it's small enough for a longboard (which is hilarious to try to ride when it's somewhat big). Last time I rode a gun was 5 years ago at Mavs, sadly.

Pipeline, getting ready for 1st reef:

Drop me a line or a PM.

-Paul

MyGreenGumby · 01-26-2009, 02:15 PM

We do some Tow -ats / tow ins depending on what people call it. We call em tow ats - havent really seen anyone doing them around here.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...87&id=35000293

SpearoPaul · 01-26-2009, 05:56 PM

Tow-ats look fun. Probably hard to do them here legally because PWCs have to stay 500' plus seaward from any fringing reefs (shallow reefs, typically 5 ft or less) or the shoreline.

-Paul

hilomikey · 01-27-2009, 05:33 PM

I seen some guys doing Tow-ins way past the sandbar in Kaneohe bay right past the Island out there. I forget the name of the Island. But I work for Marimed foundation and we have a 92' sailboat we use as a training vessel for the kids we deal with. One day when we were leaving the bay and saw about 5 ski's practicing on about 5' waves. Just a suggestion.

SpearoPaul · 01-29-2009, 03:04 AM

Thanks Mike, good info to have. I was taught that there is a small area where PWCs are allowed around there. I wonder if it's at that sandbar break? Hmmm...

-Paul

PrickofMisery · 01-29-2009, 03:07 AM

The Original tow in pilot is a member here.

LisaLisa · 01-29-2009, 03:16 AM

I've done a bit here in NorCal. Good stuff, but can get gnarly. Certified by K-38

hilomikey · 01-29-2009, 06:28 PM

hey Lisa,

Was it at the ever famous Maverics???

Paul, there is a "thrillcraft zone in Kaneohe Bay. Look at the DLNR handout if you have one. But area I'm talking about is way past two mile limit!! if you are measuring from shoreline!!! Who's to decide? I think those guys out there stay way out of everyones way and do not make hassles for other boater's so no one bothers them. Hint Hint!!

SpearoPaul · 01-31-2009, 01:17 AM

Ah.

Mavericks. Fond memories. I surfed it as a teenager with a 8'10 Blake gun, thinking it was just an extended part of "Ross's Cove". A few months later, Mavs was on the front cover of a surf mag and I didn't know where the hell it was. A month later, I find out that I've already surfed that break a few times. I had never gone right, and never had seen anybody go right. The magazine cover showed the right. That's why I never made the connection. Boy, did I feel dumb and cool at the same time.

Fast forward more than a decade later. Leash breaks in the pit and I barely make it back out after taking no less than 5 full sized bombs on my head right in that boil just on the inside where the left lip lands. I really thought I was gonna be a goner, and so did the guys in the lineup.

Almost a full hour to swim back in, that was the last time I got Mavs good and I've moved to Hawaii. Sold that board 2 weeks ago too. I miss it sometimes, but it looks like a complete zoo these days whenever I run into a video clip of that break.

Anyways... Tow Board Question... My tow board is a 5'10" Johnston. I suspect the strap mounting plates may have been installed too far backwards on the board because the board skis with the nose way up and the tail dragging big time. When I let go to try to ride a two foot wave, it's as if I've stomped on the brakes even when I have ALL my weight on the front foot. Can't even ride a small one in. Is this normal?

-Paul

mr1320 · 02-17-2009, 05:39 PM

I may need a two rescue sleds for a day. It is to provide logistics support for UH College of Engineering concrete canoe competition. It's not guaranteed yet but they asked if I'm available.

Anyway, does anyone know of a place that rents rescue sleds out?