Wavetracks GPS – Surf Tracking iPhone App

Get Started

Follow the steps below to get the most out of Wavetracks GPS.

1. Downlaod Wavetracks GPS

Visit the itunes app store to purchase Wavetracks GPS

This can be done from your home computer by syncing the application with your iPhone or by downloading the application directly to your iPhone.

2. Waterproof your iPhone

It goes without saying, but you will need to waterproof your iPhone. We recommend you use the Aquapac waterproof iPhone case (product code 104) in conjunction with the Wavetracks GPS technical rash vests (available form www.magicseaweed.com). It's possible to track your surf with the iphone stashed in your suit, if your going to do this remember the iphone needs to be above the water line when you sit on your board.

You can buy the Aquapac iPhone case online here (if you’re in the USA) or here (if you’re anywhere else in the world). US shipping is by UPS from New York. Rest of World shipping is from the UK.

NB: While we have absolute confidence in the waterproofness of the Aquapac, for total peace of mind you can always seal your iPhone in a ziplock bag before you put it inside the Aquapac. In the result of case malfunction or error in locking the watertight seal on the waterproof bag, the water pressure inside the bag will be minimal. Place the openings of each bag at opposite end to each other. This will not affect the GPS reception.

3. Warm up your iPhone GPS

It’s recommended that you start the app (so it starts to track the satellites) and place the phone some where safe while you get changed. Just before you enter the water, start tracking the session, this will give the best results from your surf.

4. Enter wave height

Wavetracks GPS works using the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites orbiting the Earth. You can use Wavetracks GPS anywhere that the phone has clear line of sight to the sky, cellular network reception is not needed to operate the application.

When you get to the beach you’ll need to gauge the wave height, this is a critical part of the process and you will not be able to continue without adding a wave height into the application.

5. Enter wave angle

The wave approach angle must also be entered to view data from your session. You can enter this prior to surfing, or if you have no internet connection at the beach, you can add this after you have finished surfing and are in a location with better internet connectivity.

Study the waves for a moment and decide what angle of approach they have relative to the shoreline. By placing your finger on the blue dots its possible to move the t-bar around the map. Move the T bar until the line between the two blue dots represents the waves and the arrow on the bottom of the t-bar points in the direction the waves are traveling.

6. Track your session

Once you have warmed up the device and entered the wave height you are ready to track your session. Press Start Tracking before ensuring your iPhone is secured in it's waterproof case.

7. Go surfing

To prevent the app's controls being accidentally pressed whilst surfing, the app enters locked mode when you start tracking. In this mode you can adjust the brightness of the interface. To exit the locked mode and stop tracking you must slide the red button all the way to the right.

8. View your data

Once all the necessary information has been entered you can view your session (see image below).

Compare ride lengths or speeds and view them on the map, or view how hard your waves were to complete by gauging the peel angle vs wave height. You can also view your overall speed compared to the maximum for that wave height.

At the moment it’s only possible to compare waves on your iphone, we’re working on a full statistical coaching analysis section on the website that will enable you to build a profile of your surfs over time and compare them against each other and other surfers for that particular break.

9. Coach yourself

The information that Wavetracks GPS gives you is fundamental to surfing performance. You can view your strengths and weaknesses and see what areas you need to improve to become a better surfer.

You can become part of the Wavetracks GPS surf community by visiting us on:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Flickr
• Vimeo
• YouTube

“Coaching is fundamental to any sports performance improvements”. Now you can view your own performance you can coach yourself.