World Surf League Adopts Apple Watch as Official Wearable

[MacRumors]

The World Surf League (WSL) today named the Apple Watch as its official wearable, with the device set to be used as official competitor equipment in a sports environment for the first time.

During the 2023 Championship Tour, WSL athletes will use the WSL Surfer app on the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra to get updates while they're surfing in the competition. The app is designed to sync with the WSL Scoring System in real time, offering athletes important details on scores, wave priority, and time remaining in the heat.

Each competitor will receive an Apple Watch before each heat, with the watch to come preloaded with the WSL app. The app has been in testing with Championship Tour surfers during the prior two tours to make sure that it meets the needs of competitors. Apple's Director of Apple Watch Product Marketing Eric Jue said the company is "thrilled" the WSL is adopting the Apple Watch.

"We're thrilled the WSL is utilizing Apple Watch for the Championship Tour, making it simple and easy for surfers to quickly glance at their wrist for instant access to vital information," said Eric Jue, Apple's Director of Apple Watch Product Marketing. "This innovative solution leverages many of the advanced features of Apple Watch -- bright high-resolution display, durability, water resistance, cellular connectivity, and a powerful platform for organizations to build custom apps -- and the new WSL Surfer app will empower surfers competing at the highest level with the information they need while in the water."

The 2023 Championship Tour includes 10 events in seven countries, and is set to kick off in January with the Billabong Pro Pipeline. Tour events will be broadcast in the WSL app, on the WSL YouTube channel, and on the website. Apple TV+ surfing documentary "Make or Break," which covers the WSL Championship Tour, is set to return on February 17, 2023.

Article Link: World Surf League Adopts Apple Watch as Official Wearable

 

[adamw]

Surf's up for the Apple Watch! Product placement for Apple, and expanding the brand exposure to more people is a good thing for all Apple customers and shareholders.

 

[Mr_Risin_Mojo]

Everybody's gone surfin'... lalalala

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Ok! That's pretty cool. I love my Apple Watch Ultra. I need to learn how to surf tho. 🏄‍♀️

 

[Mr_Risin_Mojo]

Ok! That's pretty cool. I love my Apple Watch Ultra. I need to learn how to surf tho. 🏄‍♀️

If everybody had an ocean
Across the U.S.A.
Then everybody'd be surfin'
Like Californi-a 😁

I like the progress that the WSL makes for some years now!

 

[Wildkraut]

At least they will be able to locate someones arm after a shark attack.

 

[ccorry21]

If they give out Ultra's, I wonder if it will come with the Ocean band. I've used regular sport loop bands when surfing and they've worked well. All under the wetsuit though...so not much of a chance it's coming off.

 

[melliflu]

The design sounds ok for surfing, as long as one stands up fast enough: "if you've been immobile for about a minute, it will make the call automatically."

 

[flofixer]

"Wave sensor" app coming soon!

 

[mdatwood]

If they give out Ultra's, I wonder if it will come with the Ocean band. I've used regular sport loop bands when surfing and they've worked well. All under the wetsuit though...so not much of a chance it's coming off.

I've never had issues with the sport loop or sport band coming off in the water while surfing - wetsuit or not.

 

[now i see it]

This is a clever use for this watch for pro surfing competitors, but how many people are pro surfers?

 

[klasma]

"Wave sensor" app coming soon!

I wouldn’t be surprised if crashing waves are already detected by crash detection.

 

[klasma]

This is a clever use for this watch for pro surfing competitors, but how many people are pro surfers?

With an AW Ultra, you’re automatically an ultra surfer. And with a silver AW, …

 

[surfzen21]

UGH!!!!

Mixed feelings. I hate just about everything the WSL does but I do love my AWU.

I guess if this partnership increases surf related functions it will be a win. \

I currently have one of my complications set to the tide. And I haven't worn it while surfing but checking the actual water temp would be nice. Although its winter so I'm probably better off not knowing the actual temp. 🥶

 

[Kierkegaarden]

This is a clever use for this watch for pro surfing competitors, but how many people are pro surfers?

Not many, but I think the appeal could be to the non-pros of which there are 20m+ worldwide.

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

This is why I have an Apple Watch - when I'm out on the water.

 

[surfzen21]

This is a clever use for this watch for pro surfing competitors, but how many people are pro surfers?

Not many, but I think the appeal could be to the non-pros of which there are 20m+ worldwide.

Aside from keeping track of your heat times, there is nothing that a pro surfer would benefit from that an amateur surfer wouldn't.

Paddle distance, map, wave placement, heart rate are all things that pros and amateurs could use to improve their surfing and track their waves.

Things that I would find interesting which im not sure they could do is duck dive time. Would be nice to see how much time you actually spent under water whether duck diving or after a wipeout. When youre gassed it always seems like youre under way longer than you actually are.

 

[routine_analyst]

I understand how the watch ejects water. How does it eject mineral buildup like salt from oceans or microbial from rivers/streams?

 

[routine_analyst]

Now even surfers can tell exactly when they begin menstruation based on their temperature!

 

[surfzen21]

Now even surfers can tell exactly when they begin menstruation based on their temperature!

 

[anthogag]

Each surfer is given a Watch. Which one, the Ultra or the normal one 😀 I would assume they all want the Ultra.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I thought they didn’t recommend the watch for salt water use. But between this and the diving stuff apparently it doesn’t matter anymore.

 

[surfzen21]

Each surfer is given a Watch. Which one, the Ultra or the normal one 😀 I would assume they all want the Ultra.

I bet at least half of them choose the s8 over the ultra. Probably a higher percentage of the girls choosing the s8.

I know its a small difference in weight. Ive gotten used to the ultra and its weighs less than my stainless steel analog watch but you definitely know it there. I surfed with my stainless steel analog watch and it annoyed me. I haven't surfed with the ultra but I bet id notice it especially when paddling. I think that would turn some of them off when every gram counts or they think every gram counts.

 

[surfzen21]

I thought they didn’t recommend the watch for salt water use. But between this and the diving stuff apparently it doesn’t matter anymore.

I saw a thread on reddit where the poster said their watch crown was damaged after using it in salt water and apple said they wont cover the $549 repair since it was in salt water.

I don't believe the poster. In all Apple's literature, they never say you cant use it in salt water. I believe they say to rinse it in fresh water after using in salt water. I mean its advertised for divers and they don't specify fresh water dives.

 

[anthogag]

I bet at least half of them choose the s8 over the ultra. Probably a higher percentage of the girls choosing the s8.

I know its a small difference in weight. Ive gotten used to the ultra and its weighs less than my stainless steel analog watch but you definitely know it there. I surfed with my stainless steel analog watch and it annoyed me. I haven't surfed with the ultra but I bet id notice it especially when paddling. I think that would turn some of them off when every gram counts or they think every gram counts.

I had Watch 7 stainless steel gold. My Ultra is much better.

Surfers are fit athletes. If the weight of an Ultra is a problem for a surfer then that's the least of his/her problems.