Tow-In Surfing Revolution and Early Big-Wave Tow-In Events (1994-2010)

1. Tow-assisted big-wave sessions begin in Hawaii

   Jan 1, 1991Labels: Hawaii, Tow-assisted sessions

   • LA Times
   • The Inertia

2. Tow-in surfing gains attention at Mavericks

   Jan 1, 1994Labels: Mavericks, Personal watercraft

   • LA Times
   • Yahoo LA Times

3. Pioneers apply tow-in to Peʻahi (Jaws)

   Jan 1, 1995Labels: Pe ahi, Tow-in teams

   • Tow in Surfing
   • The Inertia

4. Tow boards and teamwork norms become standard

   Jan 1, 1996Labels: Tow boards, Teamwork norms

   • Tow in Surfing
   • LA Times

5. Tow-in spreads through big-wave media and film

   Jan 1, 1998Labels: Surf media, Big-wave film

   • SI Vault
   • Tow in Surfing

6. First Mavericks contest highlights modern big-wave era

   Jan 1, 1999Labels: Mavericks contest, Titans of

   • Titans

7. Hamilton’s Teahupoʻo tow-in ride becomes a landmark

   Aug 17, 2000Labels: Laird Hamilton, Teahupo o

   • WSL
   • Teahupo o
   • SI Vault

8. Big-wave awards accelerate documentation and judging

   Jan 1, 2001Labels: Billabong XXL, Awards programs

   • Billabong XXL

9. Riding Giants brings tow-in history to a mass audience

   Jan 17, 2004Labels: Riding Giants, Documentary film

   • Riding Giants

10. Nelscott Reef hosts the inaugural Tow Classic

    Jan 1, 2005Labels: Nelscott Reef, Tow Classic

    • Nelscott Reef

11. Helicopter tow-in begins appearing in the mid-2000s

    Jan 1, 2005Labels: Helicopter tow, Aerial towing

    • Tow in Surfing

12. Keala Kennelly becomes first woman to tow Teahupoʻo

    May 1, 2005Labels: Keala Kennelly, Teahupo o

    • Teahupo o
    • Kennelly

13. Tow-in is increasingly balanced by paddle-in revival

    Jan 1, 2008Labels: Paddle-in revival, Tow-in balance

    • Tow in Surfing
    • Titans

14. Nelscott adds women’s big-wave exhibition; Kennelly wins

    Nov 10, 2010Labels: Nelscott women's, Keala Kennelly

    • The Inertia
    • Nelscott Reef