Tow-in surfing

Tow - in surfing is a surfing technique, which was invented by Laird Hamilton, Buzzy Kerbox, Dave Kalama, Milton Willis, Michael Willis and others in the 1990s to allow for the breaking in of waves about 20 feet (English: "Big wave surfing ").

Technology

In tow- in ( literally " getting involved " than translate ) is a surfer with the help of a jet ski and a tow- rope in a large, up -breaking water wave pulled ( big wave ). This method is the only way to ride off waves that can no longer be angepaddelt due to their size and speed of the surfer ( take-off ). The driver of the jet ski pulls the surfer to which wave breaking lip. At this moment the surfer the tow- rope lets go ride off around the shaft.

The work of the helper is not finished after the actual tow- in. The surfer must after breaking in resumes or be rescued from the white water ( emergent in the breaking of a wave foam) after a wipe out.

The use of helicopters as tow- in help was popular from 2003. This method offers advantages over the jet ski when the wave height is more than 15 meters, as can happen in Jaws, for example, or the position of the shaft provides no safe escape route for the jet -ski, as from time to time in Teahupoo. The pilot can also overlook the oncoming waves due to the altitude well and thus select the best wave. Many photos and videos from big-wave surfing are taken from helicopters that can be simultaneously used for tow- in.

The largest recorded wave was ridden by Garrett McNamara. She had a height of 98 feet ( about 30 meters). He put so a his own record of 27.4 meters.

Criticism

Apart from the substantial risks to life or limb that exist for all parties, throw Critics of this extreme sport, the environmental pollution by exhaust gases and noise.

Known tow- in surf spots

  • Aill Na Searrach, Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
  • Cortes Bank off the Channel Islands, California, United States
  • Dungeons Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Ilha dos Lobos, Brazil
  • Isla Todos Santos, Baja California, Mexico
  • Jaws, Maui, United States
  • Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, Northern California, United States
  • Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal
  • Teahupoo Tahiti
  • Ship Stern Bluff, Tasmania, Australia

Well-known big- wave surfers

  • Dave Kalama
  • Garrett McNamara
  • Keala Kennelly
  • Ken Bradshaw
  • Laird Hamilton
  • Michael Guerin
  • Mike Parsons
  • Ross Clarke -Jones
  • Sebastian Steudtner
Mavericks, California Velocity Peahi, Hawaii Teahupo'o Half Moon Bay, California Riding Giants
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