Ghost Tree : photo Wayne Kelly

Big Wave News

Local regulations closing down Ghost Tree big wave event

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 November, 2008 : - - The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries released its regulatory changes for California's protected shoreline Thursday. Among the changes is a re-definition of personal watercraft, which would effectively eliminate them from use for most big-wave surfing within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Under the new regulation, surfers would not be able to use personal watercraft to catch waves at Ghost Tree which occasionally generates 60-foot waves and in recent years emerged as one of the renowned big-wave spots of the world.

Tow-in surfers are not happy with the decision. "It definitely narrows the possibilities of big-wave surfing," said Don Curry, 49, the Carmel surfer credited with pioneering tow-in surfing at Ghost Tree. "It's nice to be close to home and have a world-class big wave in my backyard."

The regulation does not appear to affect many people, but it eliminates a spectacle appreciated by many who watch big-wave surfing but would never dare try it themselves. During a big-wave session last December — the same day that Monterey surfer Peter Davi died after attempting a monstrous wave — about 100 onlookers gathered to watch some of the world's best surfers tackle big waves at Ghost Tree.

Personal watercraft use is not entirely banned within the sanctuary. They will still be allowed within a square mile from harbors in Monterey, Moss Landing, Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. And a seasonal exemption will be granted for Mavericks near Half Moon Bay, allowing surfers to tow in at the site's massive waves from December to February.

Known in the surfing community as one of the top big waves in the world, Mavericks hosts the world's most prestigious big-wave annual surf contest, which falls during winter. With the sanctuary's new regulations not going into effect until February or March, tow-in surfers have the upcoming season to catch the Peninsula's biggest waves.

Read the full article at The Monterey Herald 

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