Tow-in Surfing

Term	Definition (HAR / DLNR)
Thrill Craft	“Thrill craft” means any motorized vessel that falls into the category of personal watercraft, and which: Is generally less than thirteen feet in length as manufactured; Is generally capable of exceeding a speed of twenty miles per hour; Can be operated by a single operator, but may have the capacity to carry passengers while in operation; or Is designed to provide similar operating performance as a personal watercraft through a combination of small size, power plant, and hull design. The term includes, but is not limited to, a jet ski, waverunner, wet bike, surf jet, miniature speed boat, hovercraft, and every description of vessel which uses an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive propulsion, and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind the vessel.” (HRS §200-23)
Tow-in Surfing	Tow-in surfing is when a surfer is assisted by a vessel or Thirll Craft (PWC/Jet ski) to catch a wave that is too large, fast, or difficult to paddle into by hand. The surfer is usually pulled into the wave using a tow rope, and then lets go to ride it.

Term

Definition (HAR / DLNR)

Thrill Craft

“Thrill craft” means any motorized vessel that falls into the category of personal watercraft, and which: Is generally less than thirteen feet in length as manufactured; Is generally capable of exceeding a speed of twenty miles per hour; Can be operated by a single operator, but may have the capacity to carry passengers while in operation; or Is designed to provide similar operating performance as a personal watercraft through a combination of small size, power plant, and hull design. The term includes, but is not limited to, a jet ski, waverunner, wet bike, surf jet, miniature speed boat, hovercraft, and every description of vessel which uses an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive propulsion, and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind the vessel.” (HRS §200-23)

Tow-in Surfing

Tow-in surfing is when a surfer is assisted by a vessel or Thirll Craft (PWC/Jet ski) to catch a wave that is too large, fast, or difficult to paddle into by hand. The surfer is usually pulled into the wave using a tow rope, and then lets go to ride it.

Hawai‘i Mandatory Tow-in Surfing Education

*(f) Effective September 1, 2004, both the thrill craft operator and surfer, who engage in, or operate a thrill craft for tow-in surfing, shall be required to possess, and make available upon demand of enforcement personnel, a certificate of completion from an accredited institution of higher education in Hawaii on the safe use and operation of a thrill craft in high surf, that includes but is not limited to:

(1) Local ocean safety principles and practices;

(2) Hawaii Administrative Rules as they apply to boating;

(3) The historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii’s ocean users; and

(4) Any rules or laws pertaining to protected species and thrill craft operation in the State.

Courses must be taken in order, the Boating Education Course is a prerequisite to the Thrill Craft Course, the Thrill Craft Course is a prerequisite to the Tow-in Surfing Course:

Boating Education Course
Thrill Craft Education Course
Tow-in Surfing Education Course

1. Boating Education Course Providers:

Hawai‘i residents may choose any online internet-based course to earn a Boating Certificate of Completion. Courses below are listed alphabetically and presented neutrally (no preferred provider). For boating education, online courses are the only option, there are no in-person courses available at the moment. All providers teach the same content, you can select either course by clicking the course name below:

Provider	Cost	Customer Support	Notes
ACEBOATER.com	Fees apply	877-661-1938	Paper certificate + plastic card.
Boat-ed.com	Fees apply	800-830-2268	Paper certificate + plastic card.
BOATERexam.com	Fees apply	866-764-2628	Paper certificate + plastic card.
BoatTests101.com	Fees apply	888-885-8830	—
BoatUS.org	Free	800-245-2628	Print certificate (or $10 to mail).
Recademics.com	Fees apply	214-494-0779	Print certificate
Recademics.com	Military, Police, & Fire 50% Off link	214-494-0779	Print certificate

How to enroll: Visit the provider’s website, create a login, select the Hawai‘i course.

Course Technical Support / replacement cards: Contact your course provider directly, DOBOR does not have access to your course or record of your course completion.

*A home-printed paper certificate is just as valid as a plastic card. Carry either one while operating a vessel. You do not need to purchase a plastic card, if you’d like a free card, apply to the Certified Boater Registry.

Once completed, move to #2 below:

2. Thrill Craft Education Course Providers:

Thrill Craft Certification (required to operate a jet ski, PWC, wet bike, etc.)

Hawai‘i residents may choose between an online or virtual video conferencing course to earn a Thrill Craft Certificate of Completion. Courses below are listed alphabetically and presented neutrally (no preferred provider). For Thrill Craft education, online or virtual video conferencing are the only two options, there are no in-person courses available at the moment. All providers teach the same content, you can select either course by clicking the course name below:

Provider	Cost	Customer Support	Notes
Boat-ed.com	Fees apply	800-830-2268	Online – Self-paced
Windward Community College (WCC)	Fees apply	808-235-7433	Virtual – Video Conferencing

How to enroll: Visit the provider’s website, create a login, select the Hawai‘i course. For WCC you will need to wait for a class/course to open. Contact WCC to find out when the next course is available: [email protected]

Course Technical Support / replacement cards: Contact your course provider directly, DOBOR does not have access to your course or record of your course completion.

*A home-printed paper certificate is just as valid as a plastic card. Carry either one while operating a vessel. You do not need to purchase a plastic card.

Thrill Craft operators are required to obtain certification, while passengers do not need credentials unless they plan to operate the vessel. However, if you intend to obtain a Tow-in Surfing Certification, both the operator and the surfer must hold a Boating Safety Certification, a Thrill Craft Certification, and a Tow-in Surfing Certification.

Once completed, move to #3 below:

3. Tow-in Surfing Education Course Provider:

Provider	Cost	Customer Support	Notes
Windward Community College (WCC)	Fees apply	808-235-7433	In-person classroom

If you are using a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) as your boating certification, Windward Community College will require you to either verify your current MMC or request reciprocity for a non-Hawaiʻi certification through DOBOR. Upon DOBOR approval, the Boating Safety Education requirement may be waived. You must have this on you before taking the course. Link to apply & verify: CERTIFIED BOATER REGISTRY