Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a tanker surf charter cost?
A 1 day charter costs $750 plus tax for up to 4 people.

Does it cost $750 per person?
The charter fee of $750 is for the cost of the boat for the day, and up to 4 people will fit on the boat, excluding the Captain and deckhand (if applicable). If only one person is booked for the day, then yes, the cost for that person would be $750. If 2 people are booked for the charter, then they would split the cost, and so on and so forth.

How do I submit my deposit?
Once the booking page and the waiver page have been submitted, and your dates have been accepted, you will then be sent this link to submit your deposit http://www.tankersurfcharters.com/deposit.html .

Is there a minimum age to participate in a charter?
As outlined on our Booking and Waiver pages, Tanker Surf Charter participants must be 17 and older.

What steps do I take to book a charter?
Study the entire website extensively, especially the “About” page, the “Booking” page, this “FAQ” page and the “Waiver” page. Once you are ready to book, have your date(s) in mind and know how many people will be in your group, fill out the “booking” page in it’s entirety and submit for approval. Once you and your date(s) have been approved, go to the website and click on the “waiver” page. After reading the waiver and clicking “agree”, you will be taken to a secure page to submit your deposit. No charters will be taken seriously or processed without a $250 deposit. Only intermediate to advanced surfers will be allowed to participate.

What is included in the tanker charter?
A motor vessel and a registered boat captain, who will also be your guide to the various surf spots in Galveston Bay. You will be provided with 3 longboards. The charter fee will also include the fuel and oil for the boat motor, along with ice and water for the day. Snacks are also available but we recommend that you bring your own food.

What is not included in the charter?
Your personal food and snacks for the trip are not provided by the charter, nor are any drinks other than water.

What do you recommend each client bring for the tanker surf charter?
Bring a proper photo ID. Bring your fishing license if you plan to fish. Bring any and all prescription medications you may be required to take within a 10 hour period. Bring plenty of sunscreen, a towel, a hat, a rash guard, lip balm, sunglasses, a book, a large, heavy duty trash bag and a couple of dry t-shirts. Bring just enough food, snacks and drinks (other than water) for yourself. Space is limited so choose and pack wisely and efficiently. Everything you bring must fit in a backpack.

What do you recommend a client not bring for the charter?
Bringing your favorite surfboard and or boardbag is not recommended, as surfboards get damaged often, due to being bounced around on deck, when bumping the boat when jumping off and climbing back on board and loading and unloading at the launch. Bringing a board bag on board is not recommended, as there is no place to store the bag and it can easily get blown out of the vessel when not in use *We are not responsible for damages or loss to your surfboard or board bag! You have been warned! We have lost, damaged and destroyed surfboards. If you break one of the surfboards, you are responsible for the repair of said board.
It is not recommended that you bring any electronics on board the vessel, i.e laptops or cameras/video cameras not in a water housing, unless they are rated as water proof. * We are not liable for any damages or loss of any electronics, camera or video equipment!
It is not recommended that you bring any jewelry on board the vessel.
It is not recommended that you bring your cell phone on board the vessel, unless it is in a water proof container or bag.

What is strictly forbidden to bring on board the vessel by the client?
No alcohol, weapons or illegal drugs are allowed on board the vessel! No GPS devices are allowed on board! No bananas are allowed on board! No passengers under the age of 16 will be allowed on board. No guests other than the (up to 4) charter clients will be allowed on board the vessel.

How long does a tanker surf charter typically last and when does it begin?
A charter begins as soon as the vessel leaves the dock. If conditions appear safe and acceptable, the vessel usually leaves the dock around 6:30am. A tanker surf charter lasts on average 6 hours on the water, unless weather/water conditions deteriorate. The boat captain has final say as to when a charter begins and ends.

What type of surfboard is recommended for tanker surfing?
A longboard is recommended as the board of choice for tanker surfing. A board with good flotation, paddle ability, a sturdy glass job, relaxed rocker and plenty of width and thickness is best suited for the type of waves created by the tankers. That is what we provide.

What guarantee do I have that I will catch a tanker wave during my charter?
There are no guarantees that you, or anyone in your group, will catch a tanker wave. Ship traffic is not advertised or guaranteed. Ship frequency, speeds and weights fluctuate and are dictated by other outside variables, like tides, the amount of other vessel traffic in the channel and available berths. Also, the waves are very challenging, shifty and sometimes difficult to catch due to wind, chop, speed, size and shape. Captain Fulbright has more knowledge and experience than any other pertaining to tanker surfing and it will be his priority to assist you in finding and catching your first tanker wave. We have a high success rate.

What are the physical challenges pertaining to a tanker surf charter?
Tanker surfing is physically demanding. You must have very good surfing skills in general. You must be in good physical health and condition. If you have an allergy to jelly fish stings or sun exposure, it is not recommended that you book a charter. If you are unable to pull up your own weight on a pull-up bar, it is not recommended that you book a charter. You must be able to pull yourself back onto the boat without assistance. Tanker waves are moving as fast as the tanker (10-14 knots) and shift from left to right, so you must be a VERY good paddler. Rides can last anywhere from several hundred yards to several miles and you must be physically prepared for long distance rides. If you are prone to sea sickness, it is not recommended that you book a charter without having the proper medication to combat it. Weather conditions can change quickly and a calm day can turn rough at a moments notice. The ride back to the dock can be long and difficult if that occurs. Be prepared. Lastly, you must be prepared to be out over the water in very hot and humid conditions for up to 10 hours without shade. Texas is hot in the summer, with water temperatures in the upper 80’s, air temps in the upper 90’s, with 100% humidity. Again, be prepared.

What are the waves like?
Tanker waves are, for the most part, long, rolling waves in the knee to waist high range. The challenge lies in the distance of the ride and the reading of the wave more so than the size of the waves. On one shoal, it can be a wide wall of white water with a slight left and right shoulder. On another shoal, it can be a perfect A-frame right and left peak. Another shoal is a left—another a right. In other words, on one long ride, the wave can change constantly in every conceivable way and you have to continue to read the wave and all the nuances of the wave as it feels the changes in bottom contours. The wave can be ridden for miles without ever even breaking, with the proper board and technique. In other words, it can be the ride of a lifetime. If you don’t know your board at the beginning, you will at the end!

Is tanker surfing and tanker waves good for a beginner surfer?
No, tanker surfing is not recommended nor allowed for the beginner surfer. It is a difficult wave to catch and ride and you must have good surfing and paddling skills. You must be an intermediate to advanced surfer and be in good physical condition in order to book a tanker surf charter. Missing the wave causes the boatman to put himself in harms way to retrieve you and lose sight of the other rider. Be honest with the Captain pertaining to your ability.

Is tanker surfing dangerous?
Surfing in general is dangerous. The same dangers you would expect with beach surfing exist with tanker surfing. One difference though is that with tanker surfing, you are followed by a chase boat that will pick you up when you lose the wave, unlike beach surfing, where you must be prepared to swim to shore on your own, with or without your surfboard. It is a misconception that we are surfing very close to the ships. The dangers lie on the bottom, where wrecks, barnacles and other hazards lurk. The most dangerous element of tanker surfing is not listening to the Captain and following the rules and instructions.

Why do you not allow bananas on board your vessel?
I am a true believer in the banana superstition and will not allow anything to do with bananas on my boat at any time, including wearing a banana hammock, Banana Boat sunscreen or yelling out the word “banana”!