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.
  • Hi konamac:

    Thank you for the feedback. Is anything happening when it crashes - at the end of a wave ride for example? I'm wondering if it happens when it's writing info to the FIT file since that is the only thing that has changed recently.

    Can you try the latest v1.53 since it was compiled with the latest SDK with this fix:
    Prevent device crash with FitContributor.setData() that could occur under certain circumstances.

    There may be a crash log file on your device in GARMIN\APPS\LOGS\ that you could post here and someone from Garmin could look at.

    Thanks,
    Dave
  • Hi Dave

    I do normally notice that it crashes after a wave, so probably during writing of data as you say. It is intermittent, so only happens every couple of sessions. It has happened over at least 2 versions of the Surf Tracker software. I checked the log files and the folder is empty. I reinstalled the latest version, and will keep you posted as to what happens over the next little while.

    Just another heads up, I see that the app data is appearing on the relevant activities in Garmin Connect, so thats nice to have!

    Thanks again for a great app.
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 8 years ago
    Connect Output

    Hey,

    Datafields with Fenix3 works great - getting a few false positive but just change some minimum settings so will see what happens on my next surf.

    For whatever reason the output in Connect only shows the IQ Wave Speed and Ride Rime in graphs. I can't seem to find a way to show #of waves, max wave speed etc. under the stats page. Am i missing something?

    Thanks.
  • For whatever reason the output in Connect only shows the IQ Wave Speed and Ride Rime in graphs. I can't seem to find a way to show #of waves, max wave speed etc. under the stats page. Am i missing something?

    Sadly it's not working on the F3...I'm hoping it gets fixed but it's been 4 months already ...
    See: https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?362690-Fit-Contributor-datafield-not-working-on-Fenix3
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 8 years ago
    Help attaching Surf Tracker to SUP App on Vivoactive HR...

    Hey guys. I'm having a heck of a time trying to figure out how to get this data field connected to the SUP app that's already installed on my Vivoactive HR... I've read back in this thread and have tried the settings > app>SUP settings >data screens and this is where I get lost as I don't see any way to add the Surf Tracker data field... Any help would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, JD
  • Which Garmin?

    Hello! I am looking for an activity tracker and would really like to use this app to track my surfing.

    I am not sure which tracker get. I would really love vivoactive HR features, but seems too bulky. I would like something similar to Vivosmart HR+, but don't know if this app works on it, as it is not in the supported devices list.

    Is Vivosmart HR+ as accurate as vivoactive HR?
    Is there any other option you would recommend ?

    Thank you!!
  • Hey guys. I'm having a heck of a time trying to figure out how to get this data field connected to the SUP app that's already installed on my Vivoactive HR... I've read back in this thread and have tried the settings > app>SUP settings >data screens and this is where I get lost as I don't see any way to add the Surf Tracker data field...

    I don't own a Vivoactive HR so I can't give you the exact steps. Maybe someone else can help that has one. I think you are close:
    1.) Settings, Apps, app, Data Screens, select a screen.
    2.) Set to Layout to one field
    3.) select ConnectIQ and select Surf Tracker

    https://youtu.be/jmiTkgHLdt4

    Please post the steps if you figure it out. I get a lot of emails on this.

    Hello! I am looking for an activity tracker and would really like to use this app to track my surfing.

    I am not sure which tracker get. I would really love vivoactive HR features, but seems too bulky. I would like something similar to Vivosmart HR+, but don't know if this app works on it, as it is not in the supported devices list.

    Is Vivosmart HR+ as accurate as vivoactive HR?
    Is there any other option you would recommend ?

    No idea, sorry, I only have a 920XT. I don't think the HR+ runs ConnectIQ apps...? If you want to run the Surf Tracker then you would need the vivo HR.
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 8 years ago
    Fenix 5 compatibility

    Hi guys,

    anyone knows when this great Data Field will be compatible with Fenix 5 series watch??

    Thanks
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 8 years ago
    Fenix 5 compatibility

    Hi guys,

    anyone knows when this great Data Field will be compatible with Fenix 5 Watch series?

    Thanks
  • I finally got myself a Forerunner 235. I have not tried the data field yet. Waiting for swell to come !!

    When swell comes, I will give feedback. Can't wait for it!!


    Bwd1, One question:

    You say you add the data field to an existing activity with one field and you say you added it in other - sup. When I go to activity - other. I don't have anything else. Just the possibility to add the data field, what I did. But this makes me wonder... does the 930 have more activities than the 235 or am I missing a way to add more activities to it?

    also, what would be more accurate for my 235? Adding it to cycle or leave it in other?

    Thank you!!!