Big Wave News

After Heavy Winter British Towsurf Association is Formed - Meeting to Come July 3

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 30 June, 2006 : - - After a succession of large swells were ridden by tow surfers around Britain this past winter, a series of meetings took place amongst an experienced fraternity of safety-minded British tow surfers. Their motive was to take a proactive role in safeguarding the future development and responsible practice of the sport of tow surfing in Britain.

Tow surfing is a hybrid sport emerging from traditional surfing, but with the additional use of driver on a jetski/personal watercraft to slingshot the surfer into peaking waves, often too big to be caught by paddling power alone. An executive committee was elected to formulate, via consensus, the rules and regulations of a community-orientated Tow Surf Association, with the objective of  promoting the safe and responsible development of tow surfing on a nationwide basis.

The British Tow Surf Association mission statement reads: 
'To promote tow surfing via the media to the general public, in a manner which stresses the importance of safety, education and self regulation, also providing information, awareness and training'.

The Association has clearly-defined aims and objectives:
· Promoting of safe & responsible tow surfing.
· The education and recommendation of further training for it's members.
· Acting as a positive voice in the promotion of the tow surfing fraternity.
· To organize events when necessary where all safety factors have been addressed.
· Creating a sense of belonging amongst members that share an interest in tow surfing.
· Liaise with local authorities in addressing matters pertinent to tow surfing, thereby ensuring continued practice in Britain.

Committee members:
Founders- Chris Bertish & Ben Granata
Chairman - Chris Bertish - email: cristobertish@hotmail.com 07976766695
Vice Chairman - Duncan Scott -email: duncansa@hotmail.com 07952562693
Safety Advisers - RNLI - liaison Steve Instance - sinstance@rnli.org.uk
Secretariat - British Surfing Assoc. - liaison Karen Walton - karen@britsurf.co.uk
Treasurer - British Surfing Assoc. - liaison Karen Walton

Membership:
British Tow Surf Association members have agreed on the need to set a high standard for membership requirements, since tow surfing usually takes place during periods of large waves and with small craft advisories in effect. By a high level of training, responsibility and preparation, one is further assured that any B-TSA members' presence adds to the safety of the marine operating environment.

All members of the B-TSA will need to have the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Basic PWC Competency Certificate and K38 Tow Surfing Operator + 1st Aid qualification or equivalent.  'K-38 Tow Surf Operator' qualification is an internationally developed and recognised certification specifically designed for the needs of tow surfers.)

Benefits of being a Association Member
· Insurance- Discount
· Training & International Certification- Discount.
· Possible new locations to launch from nationally
· Internationally-referenced information base to get info & advise from.
· Various Equipment Discount- i.e. Gath/ Life sled / Rhino / Engine Lubricants/ First Aid Kits
· Supporting the safe development of and creating an official voice for Tow Surfing in Britain
. Affiliation to other PWC/Tow Surfing Clubs /Organisations within Britain & Internationally, for support and information

Please feel free to contact the committee of the British Tow Surf Association for further information or consultation. Thank you for your interest.

Notice of  first open B-TSA meeting to be held 3pm, July 3rd at British Surfing Association Office, Fistral International Surfing Centre, Newquay.
The newly-formed British Tow Surf Association (B-TSA) will be having an open meeting to accommodate all interested parties. The meetings' purpose is unveiling the B-TSA constitution to prospective members and providing information regarding the Association and tow surfing in general.

All persons with an interest in tow surfing and its future in Britain are cordially invited to attend the meeting, to be held at 3pm on Monday 3rd July 2006 at the British Surfing Association Office Fistral International Surfing Centre Headland Road Newquay.

www.b-tsa.co.uk
www.britsurf.co.uk

About the British Surfing Association
The British Surfing Association is the only National Governing Body for Surfing in Great Britain and the Channel Islands. It is a non-profit Association run by Surfers for Surfers.

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Karen Walton

Big Wave News - Surfersvillage