Top picks
1. Rip Curl Search GPS 2
Rip Curl Search GPS 2 is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a high-end surf watch. The watch has a built-in GPS that helps track the surfer’s speed, distance, and wave count. The watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters, and the battery can last up to 10 hours. The watch can also sync with a smartphone app to track the surfer’s progress and log sessions.
The watch also has other features such as tide data, sunrise and sunset times, and moon phase. The watch face is made of mineral crystal and has a durable wristband. The watch has a sleek and modern design that is perfect for surfers who want to make a statement.
Pros:
-
Built-in GPS for tracking distance, speed, and wave count
-
Syncs with smartphone app for session tracking and progress logs
-
Water-resistant up to 100 meters
-
Long battery life
-
Sleek and modern design
Cons:
-
Expensive
-
GPS tracking sometimes unreliable in heavily populated areas
2. Nixon Mission
Nixon Mission is a durable and high-tech surf watch designed for extreme sports enthusiasts. The watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters, and the case is made up of stainless steel with a ceramic bezel. The watch runs on Android Wear 2.0, allowing the user to access different apps directly from the watch.
The watch features a built-in GPS that helps track the surfer’s speed and distance. The watch also has a thermometer and a barometer that helps monitor the weather. The watch can also connect with a smartphone app to track sessions and progress. The watch face is customizable, and the wristband is interchangeable.
Pros:
-
Durable and water-resistant up to 100 meters
-
Runs on Android Wear 2.0 operating system for app access
-
Built-in GPS, thermometer, and barometer
-
Customizable watch face and interchangeable wristbands
Cons:
-
Expensive
-
Some users have reported battery life issues
3. Casio G-Shock GW7900B
Casio G-Shock GW7900B is a rugged surf watch that is both tough and reliable. The watch has a water-resistant feature of up to 200 meters, making it an ideal choice for surfers who want to surf in extreme conditions. The watch has a durable resin case and a reliably functioning digital watch face.
The watch features a tide and moon data indicator and has a stopwatch, countdown timer, and hourly time signal. The watch also features a battery that lasts up to ten years, making it an excellent choice for surfers who do not want to worry about battery replacement.
Pros:
-
Rugged and reliable
-
Water-resistant up to 200 meters
-
Long battery life
-
Tide and moon data indicator
-
Stopwatch, countdown timer, and hourly time signal
Cons:
-
Limited features compared to other surf watches
4. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a great watch that combines style and functionality. The smartwatch has a water-resistant feature of up to 50 meters and runs on the Samsung Tizen operating system, allowing surfers to access different apps directly from their wrist.
The watch has a built-in GPS that helps track the surfer’s speed and distance. The watch also has a heart rate monitor that helps users stay on top of their health during surfing sessions. Additionally, the watch can connect to a smartphone to receive text messages, make phone calls, and control music.
Pros:
-
Stylish and water-resistant up to 50 meters
-
Runs on Samsung Tizen operating system for app access
-
Built-in GPS and heart rate monitor
-
Can connect to smartphone for text messaging, phone calls, and music control
Cons:
-
Short battery life
-
Limited surfing-specific features
5. Suunto Traverse Alpha
Suunto Traverse Alpha is a watch designed for outdoor enthusiasts who love to surf. The watch has a water-resistant feature of up to 100 meters and features a rugged design that is perfect for extreme sports. The watch has a GPS and GLONASS feature that helps track the surfer’s speed and distance.
The watch also features a barometer that monitors the weather and alerts the user in case of drastic changes. The watch has a moon phase calendar and a sunrise and sunset times feature. The watch can also connect with a smartphone app to track sessions and progress.
Pros:
-
Rugged and water-resistant up to 100 meters
-
GPS and GLONASS tracking for speed and distance
-
Barometer for monitoring weather
-
Moon phase and sunrise/sunset times features
-
Can sync with smartphone app for session tracking and progress logs
Cons:
-
Limited app compatibility
FAQs
1. What makes a good surf watch?
A good surf watch should be durable, water-resistant, and packed with features to support a surfer’s needs. Some essential features to look for in a surf watch include GPS and tracking abilities, tide and moon data, and the ability to sync with a smartphone app for session tracking and progress logs.
2. Can surf watches connect to a smartphone?
Yes, many surf watches can connect to a smartphone app for session tracking and progress logs. This feature allows surfers to analyze their performance, understand their progress over time, and set new goals to achieve.
3. How water-resistant should a surf watch be?
A surf watch should be water-resistant up to at least 50 meters to withstand being submerged in water during surfing activities. However, some surf watches can be water-resistant up to 200 meters, which is ideal for extreme water sports such as scuba diving.
Related posts:
Conclusion
A surf watch can be the difference between an excellent surfing experience and one that is mediocre. Investing in a high-quality surf watch is essential to enhance the surfing experience and provide vital information for performance tracking. The above surf watches have various features and designs to suit individual needs and preferences. Regardless of the choice, surfers should consider durability, water-resistant, and reliability as primary factors when selecting a surf watch.