Data Field: Surf Tracker

[FONT=Arial Black]Surf Tracker[/FONT]

Version 1.20
https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/ded87d46-5477-4ca7-a247-847b896393e0

Track your surfing sessions in real time! This data field estimates the number of waves ridden using a speed and time threshold to mark the start and end of a wave ride.

Info shown (from left to right):

  • your total number of waves ridden and the total wave ride time (min:sec)
  • for your latest wave ride: wave ride time (seconds), maximum speed during the wave ride (km/hr or mph) and the distance covered (meters or yards)
  • the numbers in red show the maximum values for the wave ride time, speed and distance during the activity
  • For square watches, the bottom line shows the time of day and elapsed time of the activity. For round watches and the Vivo HR, the top line shows the time of day and the bottom line shows the elapsed time.




Notes:

1) This data field must be used in a 1-field data screen and should be set up before starting the activity. I use an Activity > Other > Paddle, but any activity with GPS ON should work. Open water swim will work but the GPS tracks are noisier since the sampling rate is lower, but it may be the better option for surfing when your arm is in and out of the water. Some activities smooth the speed data more than others and will give less accurate results (eg. a walking activity will not work as well as paddling or cycling). Vivoactive users try the Cycling activity, the Run activity will smooth the speed values to much to even out the Pace and this won't work well with the wave detection.

2) The summary stats and a speed plot are saved to Garmin Connect once the Activity is ended and saved:


3) This has been tested many times with standup paddle surfing. It has taken a while to get the thresholds working accurately. The detection thresholds can be changed using the Garmin Connect Mobile app (see https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?332843-How-to-App-Settings for help):

There are four settings to mark a wave ride based on speed, time and distance.


An event starts when the speed is >= 9 kph, it must last at least 6 seconds (above 9kph) and have a max speed of at least 13 kph to be counted. The event ends when it falls below 9kph. The min distance is set to 0m, but this can be changed to avoid false detections. These thresholds work well for standup paddle surfing, but try changing them and post your results. It should work for: standup paddle surfing, surfing, kayak surf, surf ski and maybe standup paddle downwinding.

Threshold ranges and defaults:
1) Start/stop threshold: default 9kph, range 5-50 kph
2) Time threshold: default 6s, range 2-60s
3) Max speed in event has to be >= 13kph, range 0-50kph
4) Min distance: default 0m (disabled), range 0-1000m

Typical values:
Standup paddle surfing: general setting for all waves
9kph, 6s, 13kph, 0m

Standup paddle downwinding (Hood River)
10kph, 10s, 12kph, 20m

4) The stats from each wave ride can be saved to a text file using the instructions at the bottom of the page (advanced users only, unsupported).

----------------- Planned Updates------------------

1) none hopefully


----------------- Version History ------------------

0.2 datafield now updates even when not visible.

0.3 added min distance to threshold test (now min 9km/hr for 5s and 15 m) to avoid paddling out/false wave counts, especially for SUP (eventually these values will be user selectable).

0.4 more tweaks after on-water tests (now min 9km/hr for 6sec), 19 waves and only 2 false readings and that was when I was chucked over the falls...

0.5 changed totdist and elapsed time to use the last good point of the event, instead of first one below the threshold, since when falling in it might take a while to get gps fix again and this will add to the waveride time. This should only decrease the wave ride time. The threshold test is now: >= 9km/hr for >= 6 sec and maxspeed >= 13 km/hr, redesign screen, add total wave ride time in min:sec

0.6 add fenix support.

0.7 bug fixed- crash when data field is in view and GPS just becomes active

0.8 D2Bravo, Epix and Vivoactive (separate app) support, compile using SDK 1.1.4. Latest numbers are green during an event (shows green if above speed threshold, even if below time threshold).

v0.9 new SDK 1.2.1, support for fr230/fr235

v0.95 new SDK, 2.1.3, support for Vivoactive HR

v1.0 added GCM settings for thresholds, changed distance calculation (should be shorter and more accurate), added 1 field Vivoactive support (got rid of the separate version)

v1.20 Garmin Connect summary stats and wave speed plot output
_________
** Advanced user only+unsupported method to save each wave ride to a text file on your device:

Place a *.TXT file in the /GARMIN/APPS/LOGS folder on your device, where * is the name of the .PRG file in the /GARMIN/APPS folder. Look for a file that is ~12 kilobytes. On my device it is 69SI5820.PRG, so I would create an empty file in /GARMIN/APPS/LOGS/69SI5820.TXT

To find out the filename, uninstall Surf Tracker, make a note of the *.PRG files in the /GARMIN/APPS folder, install Surf Tracker then note which PRG file is new.

Sample output format:
Wave# TimeofDay WaveRideTime(sec) WaveRideMaxSpeed(kph) WaveRideDistance(m)
1 07:26 20 28.8 113.4
2 07:28 13 27.6 76.8
3 07:33 21 30.2 122.2

Copy the file to your computer after a few sessions. I copy and paste the details into the notes section of the activity on Garmin Connect. The file will be appended to until it gets too big (10KB), then it will be overwritten. I had 3 days of sessions saved and it was only 1.8KB.
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago
    Data Field: Surf Tracker for the garmin vivoactive hr

    Hi bwd1,

    Many thanks for your hard work on the surfing apps on the other Garmin watches. I am a surfer and have just purchased a garmin vivoactive hr and would love a version of this application, I noticed you have created one for the garmin vivoactive as was hoping it wouldn't be too tricky to transfer it over to the garmin vivoactive hr.

    It would be brilliant if you could and I am sure other people like me would appreciate it.

    Cheers,

    Tom
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago
    Data Field: Surf Tracker for the garmin vivoactive hr

    I'd like to second Tom's wish to have this app available for the Vivoacitve HR. Just purchased one myself.

    Used the built in SUP activity for this weekends session, but it just isn't the same as a purpose built app for surfing.

    Cheers

    Pep
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago
    I too would like to be able to use this for my vivoactive HR! Would have be great today while surfing TS Colin.
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago
    The touchscreen on the garmin vivoactive hr gps does not work well in salt water

    Hi Guys,

    Just a heads up the touchscreen of the garmin vivoactive hr gps watch goes a bit haywire in salt water. I have stopped taking it in to try surfing. SUP'ing is still fine and pool water is not a problem. It recorded my surf session via the SUP activity (so sort of helpful stats) but with the gps function running and the screen changes due to the salt water it took 75% of the battery in a single two hour session.

    I have managed to get hold of a Trace activity tracker for the surfing element.

    Really enjoying all the other elements however, SUP stats are pretty strong.

    Cheers,

    Tom
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago
    Trace Activity Tracker

    Yep, noticed the screen going bonkers in the surf and the massive battery drain too.

    The Trace Activity Tracker looks impressive, especially with all the features however I'm not that advanced or inclined to mount something on the board (not a go pro fan either). If the surf tracker eventually makes it on the vivoactive HR it will definitely suit my purpose and I'll live with the battery drain. Pretty knackered after a long session so can charge while I have a tin on the couch :D

    Hi Guys,

    Just a heads up the touchscreen of the garmin vivoactive hr gps watch goes a bit haywire in salt water. I have stopped taking it in to try surfing. SUP'ing is still fine and pool water is not a problem. It recorded my surf session via the SUP activity (so sort of helpful stats) but with the gps function running and the screen changes due to the salt water it took 75% of the battery in a single two hour session.

    I have managed to get hold of a Trace activity tracker for the surfing element.

    Really enjoying all the other elements however, SUP stats are pretty strong.

    Cheers,

    Tom
  • New SDK

    Hey bwd1! Once again, thanks for your great work :) I'm a user of Surf Tracker and in spite of (Garmin's) limitations, a quite happy one!

    Do you think with the new FIT Recording feature of the new SDK we will have surf metrics on Garmin Connect? Seems promising ;)

    All the best!
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago
    Vivoactive HR Support

    I'd like to second Tom's wish to have this app available for the Vivoacitve HR. Just purchased one myself.

    Used the built in SUP activity for this weekends session, but it just isn't the same as a purpose built app for surfing.

    Cheers

    Pep


    Also throwing in request for vivoactive HR support. Just bought it yesterday and had it with me for an hour session this morning. Didn't notice abnormal battery drain...

    App looks very cool. Thanks for putting it out there...
  • is there any way to view each wave detail in garmin connect?

    is there any way to view each wave detail in garmin connect, connections screen for activity?
    im only seeing pace, stroke rate and temperature
  • Vivoactive HR Surf Tracker

    few have asked, joining the party: I own 2 Vivoactive HR's - would love to have the datafield... even better to have a 'surf tracker' app, so it won't "mix" with SUP activity.
    BTW regarding an issue mentioned above: there is a possibility for a 1-field screen in the Vivoactive HR. Hope this helps.
  • Vivoactive HR support coming soon, then hopefully customizable settings and then I will look into FIT file saving.