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 guys,

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

    Thanks

    I think in a few weeks- I need to think about how to do the update. I'm maxed out in size for the older watches 920/F3 etc so I may make a new version for the newer watches that have more memory F5/935.

    Plus there's been lots of swell lately so I've been 'busy' ;)
  • 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!!!

    Sorry that was an example for the Fenix 3. You may not have a sup app on the 235. My 920 does not so I used Other and called it Paddle and it works. I would try that- you really want to use one that doesn't smooth the speed too much. Run does, cycle is probably okay.
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 8 years ago
    App Data

    Has the IQ issue been resolved yet? be really nice to be able to see the information in the connect app.

    Is there also a way to show the gps data per wave instead of a continuous line? i.e gps data shows as a lap? when you have reached the parameters you have set? Pretty much like the rip curl watch does? Long shot I know but worth an ask?
  • Hi KNZ79:

    >Has the IQ issue been resolved yet?

    I honestly don't know if the Garmin Connect display issues of IQ data has been fixed. That was a Garmin issue and us developers have been left in the dark - I don't even know which devices are affected and if it has been fixed...we just have to deal with the complaints :confused: It seems to be isolated to some F3/F3HR since my 920XT has worked since the beginning. I would say that if it is not working for you then no, it is not fixed...sorry :( You can post and check the status here: https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?362690-Fit-Contributor-datafield-not-working-on-Fenix3

    >Is there also a way to show the gps data per wave instead of a continuous line? i.e gps data shows as a lap? when you have reached the parameters you have set?

    I've thought about how to do this... there are a few issues and the main one is that as a data field I am maxed out on size/memory already. The new watches 735/Chronos/5s/5/5x/935 give me some room, but even then I'm not sure how to do it since the Garmin Connect output is limited. As a data field I don't think I can trigger laps. If it is changed to an app, then I could, but then it gets complicated with the extra fields that people may wan't - sunset/sunrise/heart rate etc. As it is now you can easily add any Garmin data fields. Also I am not sure how a lap would work - I would have to trigger a lap once the wave ride criteria is met and then once the wave ride ends I think...? Then the first lap would be garbage and every other lap would be a wave...maybe I am over thinking it. Ideas anyone?
  • Hi! Just registered on the forum to beg for a fenix 5S update asap! :) I understand the connect upload might not work but just getting the stats on the watch would be so good.

    I'm actually went out and bought a f5S specifically for this app. Looked at the reviews and came to the conclusion this will be just as useful as the ripcurl watch but in a much nicer format. I should have looked more in detail on supported devices but assumed it would load on the 5 if Fenix 3 was already supported.

    So dev, please get us a f5 update I'm sure lots of others waiting. :o And would be more then happy to contribute to a Paypal account as I know these apps are for free and best effort only.

    Looks like absolutely fabulous work has been done already, and perhaps there is something the user community can do to push Garmin to solve issues on there end? This app is a winner for Garmin and I don't understand how they have not picked this up faster... ripcurl are selling subpar watches with only the surf feature and Garmin could so easily compete with that and get more market shares :confused:

    Again, thanks dev for outstanding work and drop a Fenix 5 Easter present for us pleeeeease :D
  • Hi snocrash:

    Thank you for the comments. Surf Tracker 2 for the 5S/5/5X/935/Chronos/735xt and Vivo HR should show up on the store today. These devices have Connect IQ 2+ and 26KB memory for data fields so I should be able to add some more features eventually.

    Please test it on your 5S and report back. It would be great to get feedback from 5/5X users too. If you can't surf soon, just add it to the SUP app, start a session and do some short start/stop road sprints (>6 sec) to see if it updates on the watch and in Garmin Connect after saving the activity. You can then remove the test activity from GC after.
  • Hi snocrash:

    Thank you for the comments. Surf Tracker 2 for the 5S/5/5X/935/Chronos/735xt and Vivo HR should show up on the store today. These devices have Connect IQ 2+ and 26KB memory for data fields so I should be able to add some more features eventually.

    Please test it on your 5S and report back. It would be great to get feedback from 5/5X users too. If you can't surf soon, just add it to the SUP app, start a session and do some short start/stop road sprints (>6 sec) to see if it updates on the watch and in Garmin Connect after saving the activity. You can then remove the test activity from GC after.


    Great news! Will test later today and report back.
  • Installed Surf Tracker 2 on the 5S. Tried adding the data field to SUP and also creating a brand new activity. Unfortunately the data field does not render anything on the watch. After adding it to a 1-field it only shows a "IQ" logo with a small orang triangle/exclamation mark. Let me know if there are any logs I can provide for further troubleshooting.
  • Please try the latest version 2.0.1, hopefully that fixes it, thanks.
  • Please try the latest version 2.0.1, hopefully that fixes it, thanks.


    Yes! Thanks! Looks like it is resolved. Renders and runs now. Will try in the surf tomorrow morning! :cool: