Intent on the continuous challenge of surfing larger and larger waves, surfers recognized paddling would not be enough to answer the ocean's siren song of bigger waves. With a need for speed, the sport of tow-surfing was realized by maverick watermen who began towing each other behind jet-skis in order to generate the momentum to meet these ambitious waves.
It was windsurfers who first discovered tow-surfing's ultimate challenge, Pe'ahi, located on the North Shore of Maui and more familiarly known by the more perilous name, "Jaws". Since many of the world's best watermen had experience with both windsurfing and surfing, it was not long before the necessary innovation to place footstraps on surfboards, like the boards used for windsurfing, in order to be pulled into waves at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
Born in 1992, tow-surfing rapidly evolved into a two-man operation with the tow-surfer relying on their jet-ski partner to maneuver exact position for successfully manipulating the wave. With lives in their hands, jet ski operators are also tasked with the crucial act of rescuing their partner should they go down on waves with heights comparable to a six story building.Only about eight to twelve times a year, during the months of November through February, will conditions be favorable for the near-legend surf break at Jaws.
The awe-inspiring fifty-foot plus faces are factored by an ideal marriage of swell direction, wind and tide. What brings this break such uniquely large waves is the existence of lava ridge located just thirty feet below the surface of the water. Traveling at approximately 120 feet deep, the ocean's swell abruptly "trips" over the lava ridge, enlarges, and creates the massive waves that bring swarms of spectators to the overlooking cliffs, rumbling the ground beneath their feet, and inspiring the few and the fearless to confront it's powerful nature.
To say the least, tow-surfing is an adrenaline sport. At the mercy of an unrelenting ocean, to brave Jaws is to thrive on challenging a natural force powerful enough to destroy a house. Innate athletic ability, acute intuition and technical skill are essential. Assuredly, the spectacular feat of surfing Jaws is guaranteed admiration and respect from any who witness. Beyond the act of surfing the wave, Jaws is spectacular simply to behold in its raw power and beauty. Couple the vision of a thunderous, crumbling mountain of water with the image of a rider furiously trying to outrun its chasing wrath. Watching from the distance, hordes of photographers, videographers, locals and a few tourists lucky enough to find directions to the rugged cliffs overlooking this awesome wave are as close as they will ever get to the ultimate showdown of man versus nature.