For Immediate Release

Date: July 25, 2005

Teak Surfing Becomes Illegal

Beginning in 2006, teak surfing (a.k.a. platform dragging) will be illegal in Oregon. Teak surfing is when a passenger hangs onto the rear of the boat to be pulled through the water until the boat’s wake builds enough to allow body surfing.

Senate Bill 56 recently passed by the 2005 legislature, making teak surfing illegal. There are a number of dangers associated with teak surfing. An obvious danger is the swimmer’s proximity to the boat propeller. Another not-so-obvious danger is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In addition to these dangers, teak surfing is usually done without a life jacket because it inhibits body surfing. When combined, these elements create a very hazardous activity.

“One of the saddest stories I’ve heard involving CO poisoning and teak surfing, involved a dad and his five year old son,” recalls Jyll Smith, public information officer for the Oregon State Marine Board. “The family was enjoying a fun filled day on the water. The adults were teak surfing and after numerous pleads from the son to be allowed to ‘surf’, the father gave in. Within minutes the little boy went under and drowned. I can’t imagine the grief and guilt that father will carry with him for life.”

A person who is teak surfing for just one minute could be exposed to 990 parts per million (ppm) concentration of carbon monoxide. This means that within an hour, the person could begin to experience headaches, dizziness and nausea. According to the World Health Organization, a level exceeding 87 ppm during a 15-minute interval is considered dangerous.

People who operate a motorboat with someone holding onto or occupying the portion of boat aft the transom could receive a maximum fine of $360. To learn more about the dangers of CO poisoning, visit the Marine Board’s web site at www.boatoregon.com.

#####