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.
  • I think I've set it up...

    Hey so I've just got myself a Fenix 3 (mainly due to this app, but also a lot of the other features) and have been trying to set up this tracker.

    I managed to get to the point where the data field is added correctly, but then I can't seem to use it?
    It won't appear on my main app list and the only way I can get to the tracking display is through the settings to "view" the screen...

    Any help? Step by step? Or is it not possible to save it as an app on the main menu?

    Also, when I view the app screen in the settings it looks a little bit different to the screens you have on your post... its black rather than white and it won't change even when I change the setting?

    Great idea though, I've seen positive reviews so look forward to try it out when I get it set up!
    Thanks,
    Ollie
  • Surf Tracker is a data field not an app. It won't show up as an app on your Fenix 3. You can add the data field (single field) into any of your existing activity profiles.

    Again, I don't have an F3 so I can't describe the steps. Maybe someone that has it working on an F3 can describe the steps for adding a single data field to an activity.
  • I actually managed to get it working, and set it up within a custom app so all is good :)
    It's now top of my list of apps when I hit the start button

    I know its not an app, but I couldn't figure out how to even set up the data field.
    It's all sorted now.
  • So I've been testing this out on the Fenix 3 the last few days for regular surfing and thought I'd come and say that it has been working PERFECTLY.
    Only very occasionally will it skip a wave, but they tend to be short non-waves anyway so thats no biggie.

    The time works great, and its awesome being able to see my "highscores" while in the water.

    The only thing missing (as you mentioned) is being able to save the data, rather than viewing the few useful bits of info back on Garmin Connect
    Keep up the good work! :)







    Now someone only needs to come up with a surf conditions/tide app so I know when to hit my favourite spots and this watch would be unstoppable
  • Hi,
    I used the app for the first time last weekend while surfing and it worked really well. Thank you for creating this!

    It was fairly reliable in short, beach break surf. Just a few errors, yet exceeded expectations.

    Great app, thumbs up!
  • Thanks for the positive feedback. New versions released, see first post in the thread or app pages for detailed info:

    920, Fenix 3, D2Bravo and Epix*:
    https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/ded87d46-5477-4ca7-a247-847b896393e0
    v0.8 D2Bravo and Epix 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).

    * UNTESTED on Epix

    Vivoactive **:
    https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/92a8da93-46de-466b-9c40-5b9ad0d125b0
    v0.8b Vivoactive 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).

    ** UNTESTED on the Vivoactive since I don't own one. Please test and provide feedback here. I'm not sure what Activity would work best on the Vivoactive > Cycling, Running or Walking. I am guessing Cycling or Running since on the 920 Walking/Hiking smooths the speed data too much.

    To quickly test the data field and find out which Activity is the best to use, add it to an Activity and then do some running sprints outside. The Latest wave ride number turn green as soon as the first speed threshold is passed (> 9 km/hr). This should happen with very little delay. If there is a delay then the speed is getting smoothed too much to be useful. Try another Activity and repeat. For the 920XT, the Other>Paddle activity responds almost instantaneously, but for the Hiking activity there is a big delay.

  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago
    Save prob

    Hi tested today on vivoactive in junk 1ft surf, it seems to work fine tested in running and cycling i think it works better in cycling good job and thanks
    Now i cant figure out the save trick that you discribe there is no PRG file that is 5770 bites ,i tried every .PRG file but the .TXT file remains blank ,did several saves and nothing !!!what am i doing wrong??
    Thanks Dimitris
  • Hi Dimitris:

    Thank you very much for testing it on the VA. I need to update the info about the 5770 bytes since that was for the previous version on the 920XT.

    Plug the VA into your computer and look in the /GARMIN/APPS directory and look for the latest installed program and this should be the Surf Tracker. Then use that name in the /GARMIN/APPS/LOGS folder. If you report back on the size of the prg app then I can update the info for the VA. It is most likely less than 5770 bytes.

    Another way is to open the prg file using a text editor and look for the ASCII text bigwavedave, then you know it is the right one. Then use this name in the /GARMIN/APPS/LOGS folder.

    Thanks
    Dave
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago
    Hi Dave thanks for the quick reply
    The only file that i find bigwavedave text is an OUT.BIN file at the bottom of the .PRG list it is 993 bites i will test it tomorrow and get back
    I am not a computer geek .......trying to figure this out thanks!!!
  • In the OUT.BIN file, what does it say next to the BigWaveDave text...it should (might) give you a clue to the name of the PRG file.

    Mine says: BigWaveDave (2FC6625118Š-

    and the bold text is the name of the PRG file so I would make a file called FC662511.txt in the \GARMIN\APPS\LOGS directory