The 3rd Annual Bank of Hawaii North Shore Tow-In Surfing Championship 2006-2007 had to be called off on Tuesday 30th Jan due to large swell and theacherous weather on the Hawaiian Islands.

A large swell and a strong shear line reached the Hawaiian Islands on Monday causing power outages and large stormy surf. High surf warnings were posted along with warnings of costal damage. Strong southwest winds kept wind warnings posted as gusts reached up to 60 miles per hour in some areas. As contest directors predicted this swell proved to be chaotic.

Surfers were surfing odd spots along the coastline including 2-foot “Chocolates” a spot behind Surf-N-Sea Surf Shop in Haleiwa on the North Shore. Outside reefs reached 20 feet on Monday with windblown conditions. This swell is peaking today Tuesday with similar conditions. Normal trade winds are not forecasted to return until next week because of additional low pressure shear lines. Additional swells are tracking along the very low jet stream and will continue to bring back-to-back large episodes but with little potential to hold a tow-in event.

In addition, just to keep everyone hopping, a 6.8 earthquake located near Tasmania near Macquarie Island shook up tsunami watchers. Contest officials will continue to closely monitor these large episode swells. For updated information and event status, visit www.Protowsurfers.org.

This year’s event will take place “One Day Only” on the biggest and best day of surf between December 15, 2006 and March 31, 2007. The big wave tow-in surf contest is set to take place on one of the two main big wave outer reef spots over a mile outside of Haleiwa Harbor known as Outside Avalanche and Outside Puaena Point. The event is part of the Association of Professional Towsurfers (APT) World Tour Tow-In Surfing Circuit and holds a prize purse of $25,000.

The contest program guide is now posted on www.haleiwa-tow-in.com. Contest sponsor NAPA (North Shore Auto Parts) is offering local Haleiwa discounts to competitors who carry an ocean safety card. Additionally check www.northshoresurfcam.com for new Hammerheads live camera feed. Wave Riding Vehicles also is updating their tow-in stock for competitors. The entire crew thanks all our sponsors for their continued support of the Bank of Hawaii North Shore Tow-In Championship.