Tow-In Surfing is an ocean based sport that requires the use of a Personal Watercraft (PWC), Rescue Sled, Life Vests, Tow Rope/Handle and two very experienced and passionate big wave surfers. Drivers utilize a PWC, trailing a 30'- 40' rope and handle, to position their surfer in the right part of fast moving ocean swells. When the surfer drops the rope he uses his momentum to catch waves that are generally un-catchable by traditional paddle in surfers.

Drivers monitor the position of their surfer at all times and place their PWC just behind the breaking wave to offer immediate assistance to a surfer who finishes or falls on each wave. Buoyant rescue sleds are attached to the back of each PWC providing a stable platform for surfers to grab a hold of and travel in and out of the line up on.

The surfer's life depends on his partner's ability to drive that PWC, assist in pick-ups and come in for the intense rescue before the next mountain of water rolls over them. It is not uncommon for both surfer, driver and PWC get plowed over by four or five building size walls of whitewater.

Big Wave Tow-In Surfing is a dangerous sport that requires the level of mental and physical conditioning that only year round conditioning and training can provide. Tow-In Surfing establishes bonds between partners not unlike a marriage and allows each partner to feel a part of the successes of each wave.

The mental and physical preparation can include: underwater rock training, Indian runs, PWC swims, weight training, yoga, heavy cardio, biking, running, breathing exercises, free diving, dieting and making sure one gets proper rest.

Small wave Tow-In Surfing allows surfers to perform maneuvers with more speed than ever before. In turn, aerial feats of unlimited potential await Tow-In athletes that use their motorized momentum to launch from any size of wave face.

With the inherit dangers involved and the ever growing interest in eXtreme sports, tow-in surfing is and has become one of the most exciting competitive water sports in the world. It didn't happen over night, in fact it's a well known and documented fact that Laird Hamilton and a few of the boys from Hawaii, such as Buzzy Kerbox and Derrick Doerner were the first to take an inflatable Zodiac raft with a 40 h.p. motor out to a spot called Phantom's on the North Shore of Oahu in the very early 90's.

Their approach was simply to check it out, Kerbox said, "We didn't even tow that day. We just went out in the boat, checked it out and drove around, while dropping into a 15-footer that almost ran us over."It was a little creepy and if we'd been caught and flipped with the engine blazing, it could have been nasty," said Kerbox. It wasn't until the next go out in 1991 with a 60 h.p. Mercury Outboard when they started to get the hang of a motor assist tow, like a water-skier or wakeboarder. It was quick enough so that one could actually have the speed to glide down the giant open face. So after this, came the idea of a PWC assist watercraft. The following year they brought their experiences and passion to Pe'ahi on Maui's North Shore (JAWS) to tow into surf even bigger and more powerful waves with the assistance of a PWC.

The APT's goal is to inform interested parties of current and newly developed safety criteria, ocean laws, and provide a sanctioning body and rule book that contribute to more professional judging criteria and contest formats. With the success of sanctioned events, it's our hopes that tow-in surfing will receive greater recognition along with larger sponsorship and media support.

The APT was conceived and founded by the commitment and creative mind of Towsurfer.com's creator/owner Eric Akiskalian. Eric has been actively involved in the sport of Tow-In Surfing both as an athlete and promoter since 2000. Eric's goal was and still is today, to provide a concerted voice for the sport he loves. Eric's network of Tow-In Surfing athletes and enthusiasts from around the world, provides the APT with experienced and passionate direction. Jimbeau Andrews is a Film and Event Producer who has also founded the International Freestyle Motocross Association, The Freeride Watercraft Association, The Fitness Golf Association, and the Stadium Truck Association. In the beginning of structuring the APT, Jimbeau provided an immense amount of time, information and administrative assistance to ensure its launch. The APT has enjoyed the support of many influential and dedicated supporters who continue to provide substantive consulting.

Since the launch in 2003, APT has faced many struggles and oppositions towards their efforts and goals. With patience, hard work and commitment comes positive outcome and great support. Today they are pleased to announce that the APT World Tour Tow-In Surfing Circuit has officially been created and they are moving forward with the expansion of their plans.

The Association of Professional Towsurfers, is a California Non- Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation 

APT ByLaws:
Click here to view

APT Articles of Incorporation:
Click here to view

The Association of Professional Towsurfers, was Founded on March 6, 2003 with the charter to support the responsible growth and development of Tow-In Surfing.

The Association of Professional Towsurfers, is dedicated to sanctioning and promoting world class competitions, dissemination of safety and technical information to athletes, and technical direction to event organizers.

The empirical growth in alternative sports and the increase in extreme athletic pursuits are well documented. The Association of Professional Towsurfers embraces corporate sponsors and media entities that provide the support necessary to increase its events and goals. The Association of Professional Towsurfers has goals to expand its support throughout the world; lobby government agencies and municipalities to provide more certified tow-in access to ocean venues; and be ever attentive to the unique technical and safety needs of this evolving sport and its constituents.

The B.O.D. is made up of two regional founding directors and one appointed director who are committed and willing to support APT’s growth and future.
Eric Akiskalian,Founder/President
Jimbeau Andrews, Co-Founder/Executive Director
Rodney Kilborn, Vice President/Event Sanctioning Director

Rodrigio ‘Flecha’ Escobar – APT Vice President South America

The competitor/member advisory committee is committed to the future development and growth of APT it's goals and the sport of tow-in surfing. The number one goal of this group is to represent the surfers and competitors. They will give advise and suggestions to APT Executive Directors and Event Directors on rules, formats, prize money breakdown and swell forecasting for each event and event location.

As permitted by Code 7310 of the California Non Profit Corporations Code, the Corporation shall have no voting members, and the Directors shall be deemed the voting members, for all purposes, where action required by members under said Code. The Competitor/Member Advisory Committee will serve a one year term as a volunteer. At the end of the one year term, a newly appointed list of members wishing to act on an advisory level for a one year term will be voted in by the Directors. Any Member wishing to resign from the one year term may do so at anytime with a written notice to the Directors.

The following Members will serve thru December 31, 2009
Garrett 'G-Mac' McNamara, USA, Oahu / Chairperson
Jamie 'Sterls' Sterling, USA, Oahu / Athlete Representation
Carlos Burle, South America, Brazil / Athlete Representation
Grant 'Twiggy' Baker, South Africa / Athlete Representation
Mike 'Snips' Parsons, USA, California / Athlete Representation
Greg Long, USA, California / Athlete Representation
Dan Hasselschwert, USA, Oregon / Athlete Representation
Jamie Mitchel, Australia / Athlete Representation
Alastar Mennie, / UK, Ireland / Athlete Representation

Sean Collins, USA, California/President, Surfline.com
Greg Huglin, USA, California / Media and Logistics Director
Gary Linden, USA, California/Event Director Advisory Committee
Mike Slattery, USA, Oahu/Safety and Rescue Equipment Specialist
Brian Keaulana, USA, Oahu/ Safety Director
Archie Kalepa, USA, Maui/Assistant Safety Director
Ken Bradshaw, USA, Oahu/Athlete Representation
Eric Nelson, USA California/Powerlines Productions - Film Support
Jim Howe, USA, Oahu / Safety, Education and License Committee

In the coming months, each APT region/country will be headed up by a representative/director who has a seat on the Advisory Board with a desire to further the growth and future of APT. A designee from each region, and interested persons including athletes, industry representatives, media, and others who are willing to support the APT, may qualify for an appointed position with APT.

A seven member Executive Committee has been appointed. This committee is comprised of recognized big wave industry professionals and leading opinion leaders. The Executive Committees function is to deal with issues that arise during the year that require immediate resolution, attention, and or decisions. These individuals have been selected as a member of this committee based upon their positive professional influence in the sport of Big Wave Suring and their ability to give a fair and unbiased opinion. The names that are currently serving on the Executive Committee will not be revealed while serving as a volunteer.

1. Coordinate with VPs in helping them develop goals and budgets for their programs.
2. Guide the organization along in meeting the goals set forth at the national board meeting.
3. Represent the organization.
4. Work to develop and implement all vital material and information but not limited to, bylaws, rule books, safety manuals, membership registration forms, contest formats and administration materials.

International
1. Work in the international political arena to further the goals of the APT
2. Work to establish and improve the working relationships of the APT and other PWC, Surfing and competitive organizations worldwide.

Goals: Improve international and domestic relations
Work with IJSBA, AWA, ASP, ISA, etc.
Provide communications and advice
Participate in planning of Bylaws, rules, events, publications, and politics as required.

Internal Affairs
1. Coordinate and work to develop training and educational programs for APT.
2. Coordinate and work in meeting the training and educational needs of regional directors so they are capable of organizing quality grass roots events and programs.
3. Work with technical directors to set up official and judging clinics.
4. Work with local and state agencies to promote safety and ocean access.

Goals
Prepare communication materials for distribution to regional and national VPs and Directors that outlines history, mission, goals, and structure of APT.

Communications
1. Coordinate computer, software, points lists, world ranking systems, and informational systems nationwide.
2. Maintain the APT homepage and internet sites
3. Work with National event coordinators to implement event formats.

Goals
Maintain Internet site for APT
Establish spreadsheets for tracking worldwide points systems.
Create event management format for scoring nationals.

Scholarships/Education
1. Work to initiate and maintain scholarship programs and coordinate efforts of scholarship committee.
2. Promote this program to sponsors and funding agencies.
Goals
Develop and distribute a comprehensive scholarship program for APT
Pursue sponsorship dollars

Administration
1. Manages general directing of activities at the national office.
2. Administers to regional and national APT and membership needs.
3. Coordinates direct mailings and communications between the VPs and our membership
4. Manages distribution of budgeted funds, coordinates accounting services and financial reports.

Goals
1. Establish phone mail and fax on demand programs to distribute info.
2. Outfit National office with equipment
3. Distribute budgeted funds to VPs & directors
4. Establish membership drives; distribute membership packages and id's.
5. Maintain APT membership, VPs, Director, and International database.
6. Establish an events points reporting system
7. Help arrange travel
8. National Championships administration
9. Direct mailings to members
10. Sponsorship liaison
11. Pursue and establish insurance policy
12. Manage accounting
13. Request and distribute financial reports
14. Respond to all information requests
15. Maintain records and archives
16. Distribute and maintain sanctioning agreements, answer E mails
17. Act as Secretary to B.O.D. meetings

Marketing
1. Seek sponsorships at the regional and National level.
2. Develop and implement promotional strategy
3. Act as public relations coordinator and develop new/media releases
4. Work to exceed the requirements of all licensing, financial, and or sponsorship requirements.

Goals: Develop regional and national marketing and promotion plan
Attend trade shows and industry events on behalf of APT
Develop media exposure and relationships for APT
Manage and implement all sponsorship pursuits

Technical
1. Maintains and distributes rule books both regionally and nationally.
2. Receives and distributes rule change proposals to the Technical Committee and APT rule book.
3. Develops and implements safety procedures, technical clinics and certification procedures.

Goals: Develop and distribute APT Rule Book
Develop Sanctioning Safety Criteria

Athlete Development
1. To coordinate work with National organizations to promote the safe expansion of the sport.
2. Communicate with coaches, trainers, and agencies to develop good working relationships.
3. Develop and implement various types of clinic/training events and seminars for athletes and coaches.
4. Promote the development of international athletes.

Goals: Develop materials to represent Tow-In and solicit APT memberships. Assist National Event Director with athlete communications

1. To be committed to the Association of Professional Towsurfers for a term of one (1) year.
2. To provide comments and feedback on all related materials and products directly associated with APT.
3. To encourage and support the membership drive whenever possible.
4. To attend an annual meeting set forth by the Board of Directors.
5. To lend ones name and likeness for promotional benefits of APT.
6. To represent APT as a liaison from your State or Country.
7. To support APT's on going efforts in creating world-class events.