What is Towsurfing?

"Big wave surfers are always hunting for the largest possible rideable wave. But when trying to surf waves larger than 25 feet they are stopped by a simple rule of physics: it's impossible to surf these giant waves because even the strongest surfer can't paddle fast enough to "catch" or position himself in the rideable part of the wave. To overcome this barrier a small, pioneering group of Hawaii's big-wave surfers have begun a new sport: Xtreme surfing. Xtreme surfers have to be both master surfers and master personal water craft (PWC) drivers. Unlike surfing, which is solitary, Xtreme surfing involves a strategy and teamwork; the Xtreme surfer and his PWC driver must work in concert traveling at 45-miles per hour to make split second decisions while sets of six-story mountains crash down around them. The surfers feet are attached by straps to the surfboard, and the surfer, holding onto a ski rope, is pulled by the PWC driver into the position the team anticipates will be the waves most rideable spot. At the optimum moment the surfer lets go of the rope; the surfer is then on his own to perform on the largest, fastest moving stage any surfer has ever experienced."
Ken Bradshaw