"They" were imagining tow in surfing (on alaias?) back in 1950!
And in real life, there were tow-in surfers at the Palso Verdes Cove in the 50's as well. The tow in vehicle was a helicopter. There's a great shot of a helicopter on the beach in an old Surfer's Journal...can't find it right now, but it's out there.
While we're on the subject of the PV Cove...Surf Sister has a cameo at :36!