IIRC, Laird Hamilton invented the tow-in using a Zodiac inflatable on some big breaks in Hawaii.
That makes sense. I was half right about it being Laird, but wrong about the jet ski being first. Do you or have you ever surfed. Other than downhill skiing, it is the biggest rush when you're in the pocket.
I was also one of the early skateboarders. I had the first nylon? wheels board (Makaha) while everyone were still using steel wheels. We had a long steep asphalt slope on one side of my Junior HS field. I could ride it sideways like a wave, while the steel wheels could only go straight down due to lack of grip. There were many injuries once you hit the flat area and got jarred by the sudden change.