Heavy Water Crew — El Salvador Tow Course 2026

The credential

Built at Nazaré.
Taught in El Salvador.

Praia do Norte in Nazaré is where the world's biggest waves break — and where José Carlos Molestina has spent years operating as a rescue driver. Not watching. Not assisting. Driving the ski, pulling surfers out of waves that most people can't comprehend from the shore.

That experience — from Nazaré to Indonesia, from the Atlantic swells of Galicia to secret reefs in Morocco — is the curriculum. Everything taught in El Salvador comes directly from what we've learned at the heaviest water on the planet. The fundamentals don't change. What changes is that you'll learn them here, from zero, before the consequences are real.

15+

Years on big waves

World-class instructors

Home break

Praia do Norte

Nazaré, Portugal

Operated

Uluwatu

Bali, Indonesia

Operated

Secret spot

Morocco

Operated

Costa da Morte

Galicia, Spain

Operated

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

Operated

& many others

Worldwide

Operated

Hossegor

France

Upcoming

El Salvador

June 2026

Who is this for?

Two entry points.
One fundamentals course.

Whether you have never touched a jetski in your life or you've been on one a few times but never learned the right way — this is exactly where you need to start. This course was built for both of you.

Most people operating jetskis in surf conditions learned by watching or by trial and error. This course gives you what they never had — a structured foundation built from real big wave operations, taught from the first step to live water rescue, in the right order.

Entry point one

Never touched a jetski.

You've never started one, never steered one, and tow surfing feels out of reach. This course is designed for you first. Day one starts at the ignition button — no assumptions, no shortcuts. By day two you'll be operating in surf with real confidence and real technique.

We start at ignition, throttle, and basic control
Every concept taught before you're asked to apply it
José Carlos in the water with you from the first session
Small group means real, personal attention

Entry point two

Some experience,
no foundation.

You've been on a ski a few times but learned by feel or by watching others. There are gaps you don't even know are there. This course fills them — systematically, in the right order, with the standards used at the world's biggest breaks.

Unlearn the habits that become dangerous in heavy surf
Learn tow technique properly — not approximately
Understand the rescue sled and use it under pressure
Leave with a complete system, not a collection of guesses

All equipment provided. You bring yourself, a swimsuit, and the willingness to learn from zero.

Surf enthusiast or lifeguard — both welcome. Ocean comfort is the only real prerequisite.

The program

2 days.
Everything that matters.

Day 1 — Fundamentals

From zero to in the water.

Jetski basics — ignition, throttle, braking, turning in flat water
Introduction to the rescue sled — rigging, release, attachment
Tow rope setup and driver/surfer communication system
Reading surf from the ski — sets, timing, danger zones
Controlled tow-in simulations in manageable conditions
Entry line technique — putting your surfer in the right spot

Day 2 — Live water

Real surf. Real decisions.

Live tow sessions in real surf — driver and surfer roles
Rescue scenario: extracting a surfer from the impact zone with the sled
Multi-ski coordination — two skis in the water at once
Decision-making under pressure — go or hold, when and why
Emergency protocols — what happens when things go wrong
Personal debrief from José Carlos — your strengths, your next steps

Available spots

Small group.
On purpose.

Always confirmed

1–5 spots

booked

José Carlos leads solo. Full attention and personal feedback every session.

Unlocks at 6 bookings

6–10 spots

booked

Alemão de Maresias joins. Second ski on the water. More reps, more coverage, more feedback.

Spots filled3 of 10

7 spots remaining. 3 more bookings unlock Alemão on the water.

What you take home

No BS paper certificate.

Something better.

Complete the course and you're added to the Heavy Water Crew private community — a direct line to José Carlos, Alemão, and every driver who has trained with us. A certificate collects dust. This keeps working for you every time you're back on the water and need a real answer from people who've been there.

Private WhatsApp groupDirect access to the HWC instructors. Ask questions, share footage, get feedback from people who operate at Nazaré.

Behind-the-scenes contentSession footage, technique breakdowns, and analysis from Nazaré and the world's heaviest breaks — exclusive to alumni.

Priority on future coursesAlumni get first access — wherever the next HWC course runs in the world. No waiting list, no scramble.

A real networkConnected to every driver who's been through HWC training. The community grows with every course we run.

The instructors

The crew.

José Carlos Molestina

@silverkitesurfer

Lead instructor · Always present

One of the most experienced big wave jetski rescue drivers in the world. Years of operations at Praia do Norte in Nazaré — pulling surfers out of the biggest waves on earth. He built this curriculum from what actually works when the water gets heavy. On the water with you every session, every day.

Alemão de Maresias

@alemaodemaresias

Co-instructor · Joins at 6+ bookings

Brazilian big wave waterman and rescue specialist, founding member of Heavy Water Crew. When the group reaches 6 bookings, Alemão joins the water with a second ski — more live reps, broader coverage, and deep experience in tropical conditions directly relevant to El Salvador.

Partners & venue

Where we're based.

The course is hosted in partnership with Puro Surf — El Salvador's most established surf resort and training base. Part of the course takes place at their facilities, giving you access to a world-class surf environment from day one.

Venue partner · El Salvador

Puro Surf

@puro_surf

El Salvador's premier surf resort and training center. Part of the HWC course is hosted at their facilities — world-class infrastructure, right on the water.

Course participants get access to Puro Surf facilities during the 2 days.

Interested in partnering?

Become a partner

We're open to partnerships with surf schools, water sports brands, safety equipment companies, and tourism organizations in El Salvador and beyond.

Reach out directly: josecm94@gmail.com

Reserve your spot

Secure your spot.

$1,000

/ person

$500 deposit to reserve — balance due 14 days before the course.

Spots remaining7 of 10

3 more bookings unlock a second instructor on the water.

Frequently asked questions

FAQs.

I have never been on a jetski. Can I still join? +

Yes — this course is built specifically for you. We start at the ignition button on day one. Everything is taught from scratch. The only requirement is that you're a confident swimmer and comfortable in the ocean.

What is a rescue sled and will I use one? +

The rescue sled attaches to the back of the jetski and is how we extract a surfer from the impact zone. Yes — you'll train with one both days. It's a core part of this course and the same setup used at Nazaré.

When does the second instructor join? +

At 6 confirmed bookings, Alemão de Maresias joins the course. That means a second ski in the water, more live reps per student, and two experienced drivers giving you feedback. Worth sharing with your crew — their booking directly upgrades your experience.

What is HWC Crew Access? +

Instead of a certificate, you get added to a private WhatsApp group with José Carlos, Alemão, and every driver who has trained with Heavy Water Crew. Ask questions, share footage, get direct feedback long after the course ends.

Is the course in English or Spanish? +

Both. José Carlos teaches in English and Spanish. You won't miss anything regardless of your preferred language.

What is included in the $1,000? +

Two full days of instruction, all equipment (jetski, sled, tow rope, safety gear), access to Puro Surf facilities, and your HWC Crew Access community. Accommodation and travel are not included — we'll share recommendations once you book.