MONTEREY, Calif., Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Personal watercraft may be banned from one of California's prime surfing spots, putting an end to the practice of using them to catch monster waves.
A draft management plan would end the use of the watercraft at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which includes 276 miles of California coast, the Los Angeles Times reported. Maverick's near Half Moon Bay, a spot favored by tow-in surfers, is in the refuge.
Tow-in surfing uses jet skis and similar watercraft to take surfers to the waves and stand by for rescues when they wipe out. While surfers who paddle out are limited to waves no more than 25 feet or so high, tow-in surfers can try for waves of up to 60 feet or more.
Critics say the jet-propelled watercraft hurt marine life, including seals and migrating whales.
"Jet Skis are a form of strip-mining a surf spot," said Mark Renneker, a San Francisco doctor and surfing purist. "They behave like the Wild Ones, whipping and spraying fumes."
