Laguna Beach, CA July 30, 2008) – With the Red Bull Big Wave Africa Event successfully completed, all eyes are now on the APT/Chile, Punta de Lobos Tow-In and Big Wave Surfing event. Event Organizers and the A-list of who’s who of international big wave competitors are ampted and ready to go when the right swell hits.

This first of a kind and exclusive world-class specialty tow-in and big wave surfing event will crown winners on each day. The overall winner will be the one who places highest in both the paddle and tow-in contest with a combined score and will receive the APT Waterman Award. In total there will be a purse of $37,500.00 US and awards to be handed out to the top winning competitors.

“With just a little over six weeks left in the extended holding period, we are hopeful and more then ready to pull of the first leg of the 2008/2009 APT World Tour.” – Said, Rodney Kilborn – APT’s Global Vice President

“For the past couple of years, we’ve been working hard with APT to create a full-blown big wave surfing tour. The tour has been dreamed up and shaped by the surfers themselves and the APT has been great with giving the athletes a lot of say in how the events should be run. It’s been my goal to see a legitimate, world tour that travels around the globe searching out the biggest, meanest waves to compete in. We’ve got the Chile event locked in and we’re looking to run a contest at Pe’ahi (aka: JAWS) this winter, and also scoping out venues in Australia, Tahiti, South Africa and France. It’s awesome being involved with the tour while it’s still in an early development stage. The APT is holding down the business side of the program and leaving the contest formats, locations, etc. all to the surfers and competitors. I’m really optimistic for the future of a professional big-wave tour.” -Said, Jamie Sterling Big Wave Surfer and APT Pro Rated Competitor.

APT would like to acknowledge and congratulate five of the six finalists that placed in the RBBWA and are also APT pro-rated competing members. 1st Place went to Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker of South Africa, 2nd Place went to Carlos Burle of Brazil, 3rd place went to Greg Long of California, 5th Place went to Anthony Tashnick of California and 6th Place went to Mark Healey of Hawaii.
For full RBBWA event news and images go to: http://www.redbullbwa.com/index.php

APT would also like to congratulate Jamie Mitchell (another APT competing member) for taking 1st place and his 7th victory win of the QuikSilver Edition Molokai. Jamie Mitchell is also one of APT’s very first international members to join back in 2003 when the organization was founded.
Press release here: http://towchat.towsurfer.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=368&PN=1&TPN=1

“I think it’s great what the APT crew are doing to promote the growth of competitive tow-in surfing. They have been working really hard over the past few years to develop a World Tour and they are seeking the best big wave spots around the Globe for its venues and the competitors. The competitors involved, have a big say on a lot of the issues and the development of the tour. I am stoked to be a part of it and I can’t wait to be in Chile for this event.” –Said, Jamie Mitchell World Champion Paddle Board Racer, Big Wave Surfer and APT Competitor

For detailed Chile event information, photo galleries and video clips on location, please visit official event website: www.Protowsurfers.org

Event Sponsors: City of Pichilemu Magico & Natural, Secano Turismo Region de O’Higgins, Ocean Extrem0, Reserva Marina Punta de Lobos, SurfY Naturaelza Chile, Club de Surf Punta de Lobos, Federation Chilena de Surf, Fletcha Surf, Chile Surf, Surf Festival, Handsome Bugga Productions, HSA, Surfline, TowSurfer, Street Machine, Allrent, Dunmar Turistico, Hostal Punta de Lobos, Alquiler Los leones, Inmobiliaria Pichilemu, SierrAzul, Pullman Bus, Revista Demolicion and Powerlines Productions.

About the Association of Professional Towsurfers, Inc. (APT)
The Association of Professional Towsurfers, was Founded on March 6, 2003 with the charter to support the responsible growth and development of Tow-In Surfing. The Association of Professional Towsurfers, is dedicated to sanctioning and promoting world class competitions, dissemination of safety and technical information to athletes, and technical direction to event organizers. The Association of Professional Towsurfers embraces corporate sponsors and media entities that provide the support necessary to increase its events and goals. The Association of Professional Towsurfers has goals to expand its support throughout the world, lobby government agencies and municipalities to provide more certified tow-in access to ocean venues, and be ever attentive to the unique technical and safety needs of this evolving sport and its constituents.

Posted by Patrick on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 in Press Releases.

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