Tow rope or "lift" for ocean surfing?

Question

Why don't they invent a tow rope, or lift like they have in snow skiing for surfing?

Sport would really take off I think and be very popular and profitable.

Answer 1

already packed enough. if people did not have to paddle out, which is half the fun there would be way too many people out in the line up. and do you assume the sport is not popular and profitable already? do you live by the beach? seems you may need to investigate this sport some

Answer 2

Part of the sport of surfing is paddling (exception is large wave, tow-in surfing). Paddling out into the line up helps educate the surfer where the wave will break and where the channels are.

Almost every surfer has discussed the idea in a line-up while waiting for waves to come in. Can you imagine how many uneducated "kooks" would be in the water if surfing were made that much easier?

Answer 3

there is a comic in the mag making fun of this idea as it relates to overcrowding and exploitation of the sport for profit.