Name: Scott Chandler
Nickname: Channy
D.O.B. 3-27-67
Age:36
Height: 6'1”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Hazel
From: San Diego, CA
Current Residence: Carlsbad, CA
Occupation: Surfer/Shaper
Years Surfing: 30
Years Towsurfing: 8
Favorite Big Wave Spots: Cortes Banks, Mexico, Hawaii
Other Hobbies: Foil Boarding, Wakeboarding, Painting Art, Extreme Fishing
Sponsors: No Fear, Plumeria/Brewer, Xcel, Osiris, Stay Covered, Wahoo, and good old Mom.
Towsurfer - You are an experienced big wave surfer and towsurfer. You have surfed most all the big wave spots in Hawaii and California. If you had to choose either paddling or towing on any given day, which would you commit to and why?
Channy - I’ve always loved the challenge of surfing big waves. It’s a lot of work chasing down swells while paddling. The downfall for me is dealing with the crowds in those conditions especially in places where I catch only one wave in three or four hours. Being in the right spot with the right paddle speed and not 10 other guys going for the same wave is the real challenge. When I do finally paddle into that one big wave, it usually turns into a mind-blowing experience. Towing has made it possible for me to push my limits and experiment much more in one session. I triple my wave count no question. Committing to either paddle or tow is comparing two different realms. Do I want to ride an eleven-foot board on a few bombs or do I want to ride a six-foot board and carve on many more waves? I would say tow due to the situation.
How did you get started with towsurfing?
I bought a PWC in 1995 and started playing around at my home breaks. With the help of some pro ski drivers and friends, I just figured things out by trial and error. I knew the basics from wakeboarding and then combined it in the surf. A friend showed me some home video of the boys in Hawaii and I basically took a lot of mental notes. Randy Laine was always informative with PWC information and he is a pioneer of the freestyle Jet Ski sport around Calif. During my trips to Hawaii I would always check out other PWC safety devices, safety straps, quick release systems etc. Going to Hawaii and hanging with the boys has taught me a lot.
Garrett McNamara is a really good friend of yours and you guys have towed together. What can you tell us about your time spent with Garrett and what you have learned from him?
Garrett and I met through a friend who sent me his way when I was looking for a used rescue sled. We teamed up multiple times over the years with trips to Mexico, Canada, and California. We have had many memorable moments throughout our friendship and I have always felt safe knowing if I went down in a bad situation he would be there to pick me up. I think he feels the same when I tow with him, at least I hope so. Safety has always been a big issue between us and I’ve learned a lot from his knowledge of the sport. Garrett is an amazing waterman and I truly respect his knowledge and ability!
You tow mostly out at Todas Santos and as we all know this is a location that seems to have created an image of a free for all arena amongst paddlers and towers. What do you think about the recent issues out at Todas?
Todos Santos is a magical place for me. I first surfed there when I was 13 years old and the place scared the crap out on me. The place seems like home to me because it’s so close to where I live yet so far away since its in a foreign country. The recent issues that have occurred down there came about from a bad decision on ones part. When one creates an issue that puts lives at risk and or makes decisions that are just plain stupid and truly uncalled for, then this is when you have problems between paddle surfers and towsurfers. Mexico has different laws than the U.S. for their own reasons and that’s why you can drink underage there, drive your car on the beach or discharge ungodly huge fireworks legally.
Why can’t the tow surfers that go there just follow the same rules and safety principles that are used in all other areas of the world?
I understand the basic rules implied by tow surfers in the U.S. I have towed Todos with guys paddling and it has always been done in a safe matter. I don’t condone putting people at risk. Todos is a fun paddle wave up to 20 feet and after that it’s just a drop due to the boil but it’s a great tow wave due to the early entry. The local fisherman and boat drivers understand that they are lucky to have this beautiful place they make a living from and understand the laws are different there. We have seen different laws at other islands in the world too. One must have respect for others and understand they’re in a foreign country even though they’re just two hours from the U.S. Border.
You towed with Chuck Patterson out at Cortes Banks back in January and from all that I have heard and read, it was kind of a scene out there. What are your thoughts about all the teams and boats that were in the water?
I was in Hawaii for that same swell. Garrett and I tried to surf Kaiena Point that day to run one of his Challenges and everyone ended up at outside Log Cabins. We decided to hook up with a few teams to do Garrett’s Challenge at Cortes since the conditions were looking favorable. I called Chuck to see if he wanted to team up and compete and he was all about the green light. We flew home Saturday night and landed in L.A. at 5:00 A.M. to head straight down to Oceanside harbor where we loaded up the 100-foot boat that we had chartered. We arrived at about 4:00 A.M. and could start seeing other boats as it got light. From all the press I’ve read about, "boat wars" knee boarders trying to tow, etc. I think all the boat captains have been there enough times to understand that safety was coming first with boat positioning. We’re talking about experienced captains who have been in these waters and areas for many years. Needless to say all the boat drivers did a great job and they were not putting people at risk! Sure there were guys jumping out of helicopters and planes flying around for hours shooting pictures and it seemed like cameras were on every inch of every boat. That is a scene if you’re used to being there by yourself. When you publicize a place like that of course everyone wants to film or surf it. As far as the tow teams, everyone ripped it up and all those cameras caught some unreal surfing.
What was it like attacking that wave backside?
Surfing Cortes backside was awesome. It was very smooth with glassy conditions so it was predictable. I got lucky and was able to get a few barrels. For me, I really enjoy going backside in big surf and especially when I can tow these waves.
I know Chuck well and I know that he will take advantage of every single wave during every single tow session that comes his way. He’s not only an experienced professional towsurfer but also an aggressive athlete that is full of energy and excitement about the sport. How did you like teaming up with him this year?
Teaming up with Chuck was a good experience for me. We are alike in many ways and even the media confuses us for one another. Many people say we look a lot alike. He is an awesome athlete/person very down to earth and his energy never runs out. He gives 150% in all I’ve seen him do and his driving ability is excellent. When we teamed up at Cortes, he was right on the money when driving. He reads the surf very well and has great water knowledge. The guy basically surfs every wave to the fullest and if we’re at a beach break, he will always ride a wave to the beach.
Tell us about your session with Chuck out at Todos Santos back in February on the biggest swell of the year for California.
I called Chuck a few days before to see what his plans were and to see if he thought the swell might be best up north. The winds were looking best for Todos, since the storm was moving in close and fast. We got to Todos about 1:00 P.M. and saw Gerrlach and Parsons on the backside of the island where they had problems with their board anchor at killers. So we helped out and anchored them on the backside. We got out there and it was a wild 50 feet and we towed until dark both getting some hell raising waves.
Who are some of the other crew you tow with on a regular basis?
Usually I team up with the regulars at Todos. Skip, Adam, Dana, Chuck and a few other guys. When I’m towing my home breaks; I hook up with pro freestyle Jet Ski riders Joe Kenny and Chris Maclugge.
It seems that tow boards are getting smaller and smaller with each and every swell that passes. A lot of guys are now riding boards under 6’ and we are seeing some insane surfing going on. Tell us where you are at with your equipment and how you have modified your boards over the years.
I started off riding a 7'6” and now dropped to a 6'2” and 5'11”. I worked with Garrett and Dick Brewer in the shaping room and put together a few of my own ideas. The Past 2 years things have changed dramatically as far as board design, much wider tails and thinner with a little more weight even with my California boards. Ron from Plumeria has helped me with a few custom blanks and I’m stoked on that. One good thing about being a shaper and riding your own boards is you can make changes and really feel the difference you have made.
What are your thoughts today with respect to the sport and how popular it has become in the past 2 years?
The sport has grown astronomically over the past 2 years. From movies to commercials and I’m hearing of a video game in the making. It’s guys like Laird and D.D Kalama getting magazine/movie/TV/international attention that has brought notoriety to the sport. I feel lucky to be apart of this sport while it’s still in it’s infancy.
Do you have any concerns with the growth of this sport?
Concerns would probably be with overcrowding and PWC regulating as far as outlawing at certain areas. I wish we had more spots like Cortes that were closer.
Who are some of the boys that you feel are the greatest towsurfers in the world?
There are so many guys who rip and I’ll leave it at that.
How important is the training aspect and water safety with towsurfing?
I take my training very seriously and not just for surfing but in my every day life. I’ve been weight and endurance training for about 15 years combined with a little yoga and boxing. I train a lot in water rescue and have been into that since I was a junior lifeguard when I was a grommet. I also think it’s a good idea to mentally prepare yourself for the worst case scenario. All of the above go hand in hand with big wave surfing and physical and mental strength are a must in my book. I’ve had to bring 2 unconscious people on a ski and dead weight is not light. Anyone towing should know CPR that is a must!
What are your thoughts with respect to sponsorships and towsurfing?
Companies are now starting to show interest in this sport and we’re now seeing it being used in today’s market. Towsurfing is something that catches ones attention. PWC companies are noticing the media attention and they’re getting in out the action. Hopefully they will step up to the plate along with the surf companies and sponsor the sport in some form. Most of us use private funding or our own money.
Do you think there is enough money in the sport or is it really difficult to come by?
Money has always been an issue with the sport of surfing. I remember making finals in the PSAA and my winnings wouldn’t even cover my gas cost to get to the event. It has improved over the years with all the media and reality shows on TV Companies benefit from our lifestyle and they need to give back to the sport somehow.
What is the heaviest situation you have been in while towing?
I felt I was too deep on a wave so I kicked out and got hit by the two waves behind it. It was defiantly the most violent hit I had ever taken by two waves and basically my hip came out of my socket. I was held under for a very long time and knew I would be in trouble if I couldn’t swim for the surface. Trying to swim with one leg and one out of the socket was a painful experience. Luckily for me, it popped back into place while I was getting thrashed and trying to swim for the surface. That for me was a very close call and one that I will always remember.
How do you overcome fear?
I don’t think I will ever overcome fear. Maybe I just build a tolerance or numbing to it. Some people have a fear or phobia of heights, but if they move into a high rise building they get used to it. I don’t think there is a surfer out there that doesn’t have a fear of drowning and that fear probably started the first time we choked on water getting a bath as a infant and our body doesn’t forget that experience. I think I’ve become more comfortable with fear with all my experiences and I tend to talk to myself in a fearfull situation, which truly relaxes me somewhat.
What are some of the worst things you can do as a driver while going in for an assist or rescue?
Depending on what type of approach or situation you’re in. I use different driving techniques for different conditions. Driving for a rescue or assist with limited time due to the situation can call for high speed and it’s very easy for one to make a mistake. Anyone who has ever driven a ski in an emergency situation knows that. We learn from our mistakes and try to improve our skills from them.
Most if not all towsurfers talk about towsurfing as being an addiction that can really take over ones life if you are not careful. Even when you are not in the water you are planning, thinking and talking the sport all the time. Is this the case with you?
Definitely! I get so excited when the buoys start bumping and my blood gets flowing. I’m like a little kid going to an amusement park which as we all know, makes it hard to sleep the night before a big swell. I put a lot of planning into my trips and my chair in front of my computer is used more than my leather couch in my living room. Talking about the sport is almost a daily thing. People always asking where you’ve been, where you going? What’s it like riding those waves etc? It’s exciting to talk about, I’m getting charged up right now!
So you have your own surfboard company, how’s that going?
Things are going great. It allows me to travel a lot and do R&D with my product/equipment. It’s nice not having to explain to a shaper about changes needed to be made to a board. I just take note in my mind and apply the changes. I also do the surf report for local radio and TV here in San Diego so that’s a big plus for me with all the publicity plus I have my web site at www.chandlersurf.com
Tell us about your foil boarding?
Well, I hooked up with Mike Murphy a few years ago and we made a simple trade. He would teach me to ride the foil and I would teach him to ride waves. Mike was the guy who pretty much invented the foil and has been experimenting with it since the late 60’s. I've had the chance to be the first guy to foil Todos Santos and Cortes Banks with Mike Botello. I got to foil with Rush Randle during a foil demo we did at the Red Bull sling event last October. Rush is unbelievable on a foil and what I have learned from others has made it easier because foiling is the hardest water sport I've ever done. For me I love any new challenge that comes my way and this is a good one.
Extreme Fishing? Sounds interesting! What's up with that?
During last summer I was craving for an adrenaline rush. Summer was lacking in the surf department, so I took my tandem board and made a few modifications by mounting a custom box by the nose with pole holders and used a few tow strap inserts. I then mounted two cleats with 100 feet of rope to my spear in my spear gun. I then made a decent chum bucket and went 5 miles out for a shot at the record thresher shark. Instead I caught a very pissed off Mako that was a world record 168 pounds and took me over 3 hours to get it in and tie it on the deck of my board. I paddled it into my local beach on a sunny Sunday in August only to cause chaos with beach goers and I got a ticket for not having my fishing license within 500 feet of me. The shark broke my box off during the fight along with my pole so basically I paddled in with a shark on my board and no pole.
What kind of art do you enjoy painting?
I do a complete mixture of art scenery, portraits and abstracts. I’m into all kinds of it. I look at a lot of stuff and say to myself " I can paint that" I think my art is ok but friends see it and say I’m in the wrong business with making surfboards and I should be painting instead.
What are your thoughts of media coverage and website exposure to the sport of towsurfing?
I think it’s very important to the sport and it brings out the reality of what goes on with it. Most people have no idea what goes into it and it gives them a perspective not many get to see or read. I applaud all that put effort into the sport and give the world a chance to see its realm. Keep up the good work with towsurfer.com because what you have created and added for the sport is amazing. I look forward to surfing with you again soon.
Thanks Channy for your time and we’ll be sure to plug all our visitors to your website. I am also looking forward to a few big sessions with you and the crew.
Thanks Eric for getting me all pumped up during our flat spell. Now what do I do? I’ll wait for a really big south swell and head for Mex!
If you or your company would like to get a hold of Scott “Channy” Chandler, you may e-mail him at: Channy@Towsurfer.com. Please visit Channy’s website at www.chandlersurf.com.
