Trying to figure out how to customise your Apple watch for surf? Here’s my guide on how to turn your Apple Watch into the ultimate surf watch!
There are three things I really love in life – travelling, surfing and technology.
And when I can combine some or all of them it really gets me stoked!
I’m also a huge Apple geek but was on the fence about getting an Apple Watch.
But after learning the new series is waterproof I began thinking – if it can track swim sessions could it track my surfing?
I’ve always been intrigued about the length of my waves, my wave count and also how much exercise surfing really so I decided to do some research, and after A LOT of digging around the internet (seriously this info was hard to find, so you can thank me later!) I discovered that there was a way to not just track my surfing, but also turn it into a fully functioning surf watch.
Yup your can customise your Apple Watch into a surf watch – displaying tide times and even surf reports with just a quick glance.
So how do you turn your Apple Watch into a surf watch?
…also as a quick update due to some comments I’d like to clarify that you only need the GPS Apple Watch to get this all to work properly, so don’t feel you need to spend the extra on the cellular option to track your surf!
Click here for more info on the Apple Watch and to buy yours!
Did Apple Create The Best Ever Surf Watch?
Contents
Customise It Into The Ultimate Surf Watch
I’ve utilised two apps to customise my Apple Watch for surfing; Dawn Patrol and Surface.
And best of all they’re totally FREE.
Feb 2020 UPDATE: Surface has now been renamed to “Surf Watch”
Sept 2021 UPDATE: Both Dawn Patrol and Surf Watch have the option for a paid upgrade to unlock even more features
Surf Watch provides the complications (Apples fancy name for the customisation of your Apple Watch face – they should should be called widgets really!) whilst Dawn Patrol is going to be where you head to track your surf sessions.
Now you can use Surf Watch for both but personally I find their interface and layout rather buggy and not as appealing.
Dawn Patrol on the other hand is slick and has everything you need in a smooth, elegant app.
…and I’ve spoken to the team behind it and there are some epic updates in the pipeline too!
Once you have those two installed on both your phone and watch, get your current surf spots selected in Surf Watch (via the Magicseaweed or Willy Weather database) and then you’ll need to update your watch face to get all the surf info you need at a glance.
I opted for the modular face – choosing the central area to display the current surf conditions, whilst the lower left shows their minimal tide icon which sits quite nicely in there.
It’s as easy as that!
Dawn Patrol – Tracking Your Surf Session
Sept 2020 UPDATE: You can now fully customise your watch using just Dawn Patrol – click here for the full guide, or watch the video below!
Now the real fun comes when you hit the water and this is where Dawn Patrol comes into play.
At the beginning of your session you simply load the app on your watch and hit start session.
The display will then show your heart rate, session time as well as stats on total ride length, time and also wave count.
Throughout your session Dawn Patrol will be recording your stats and after each wave you’ll be able to see the ride time, length and top speed – which definitely fuels the stoke!
At the end of your session simply hit “Stop” and you’ll be given a quick overview of your session including calories burnt alongside your wave data.
But it’s when you boot up the app on your iPhone that you’ll really get to geek out!
After clicking on your session you’ll be shown a satellite shot of the surf break with all your waves mapped out on it! Clicking on each wave line will bring up the full stats of the ride.
You can even get it to display the waves you missed (rather depressing!hahaha!)
I’ve been using it all over the globe (including the surfing in the Maldives, Mentawais, Australia and South Africa) and it’s great for pushing your sessions to the next level.
I’m hunting for a higher wave count, a longer ride and a faster speed! Here are some of my stats so far;
- Longest ride = 498m @ The Pass, Byron Bay
- Top speed = 26.8mph @ Coffee Bay, South Africa
- Longest ride time = 1 minute, 24 secs @ The Pass, Byron Bay
- Best session (wave count) = 22 waves in 1 hour 15 minutes, at Broken Head Point
- Best session (distance) = 2.6km, 22 waves at the Pass, Byron Bay (absolutely epic session!)
If you’re based at a spot for a while it’s also super helpful for seeing where you need to sit in the lineup for the best waves and seeing how you progress.
Pretty cool hey?!
Which Watch Strap Should You Use?
I’ve had a lot of questions on both my YouTube tutorial and on the blog about what Apple Watch strap is best for surfing.
Over the last couple of years I’ve simply used the standard Apple Watch band and it hasn’t failed me. Admittedly I have used a hair band as a backup loop incase, but overall I’ve had no issues.
With that being said though I have now met multiple people who have lost their Apple Watches whilst surfing with them!
One of these people highly recommend using the Apple Sports Loop whilst surfing – the velcro like style makes it much more secure and the end of the strap is even built to stop the loop from becoming fully undone, which provides a lot of extra safety. The downside with this strap though is the fact the fabric material does take a while to dry post surf.
NOMAD offer some really solid Apple Watch straps too and their Active Straps are ideal for people who want something solid and secure, but also have a premium, fashionable finish, so check them out.
The other option I’ve come across is the UAG Apple Watch Band which seems even more secure, but I must admit personally I’m not as keen on them aesthetic wise so I’m sticking with my Apple Solo loop instead.
Sept 2020 Update: Apple have now all released the new “Solo Loop” band. I’ve been using it since they launched it with the Apple Watch Series 6 and it’s certainly my preferred Apple Watch band for surfing. Not only is it snug fitting and comfortable, but it also dries super quickly too.
What About The Ripcurl GPS Watch?
So the instant comparison you’ll be making is against the Ripcurl Search GPS watch.
It’s a solid surf watch, as you’d expect from a surf company like RipCurl, (check out my full review of it here) but when you take into account it’s the same price as an entry level Apple Watch (series 3) what would you rather have?
A surf watch or a surf watch that’s also a fully functional smart watch – and arguably the best smart watch on the planet as well!
I’ve spoken to a few people who mentioned they were thinking about buying the new RipCurl Search GPS 2 watch, however once I explained how I’ve customised my Apple Watch and the fact it’s on par price wise and they opted to go that route instead!
Your call, but I weighed up the options and the cost and I’m stoked with my decision!
Check out this guide to the best surf watches in the world…but I’m pretty sure you’ll still end up with an Apple Watch!
Which Apple Watches Does This Work On?
Apple Watch SE
Along with the new Series 6 the Apple Watch SE was also announced. So can you surf with the Apple Watch SE?
The good news is – yes you can!
The Apple Watch SE still has the same waterproof design and with the upgraded chipset (a step up from the Series 3) it’ll still be able to run both surf apps!
The latest Apple Watch SE was launched in Sept 2022 and is still the best value Apple Watch for those looking to track their surfing.
Click here for more info and to buy
Apple Watch Ultra & Apple Watch Ultra 2
If you want the ultimate in durability with your Apple Watch, the new Apple Watch Ultra (launched in 2022) boats some seriously solid features that make it ideal as a surf watch:
- Water resistance rating of 100 metres under ISO standard 22810.
- It may be used for recreational scuba diving to 40 metres, and high-speed water sports.
- Made with aerospace-grade titanium
- Case designed with raised edges to protect the flat sapphire front crystal from edge impacts.
So if you’re looking for the top of the range and advance durability, the Apple Watch Ultra is the best choice, but also with the biggest price tag!
Apple Watch Series 9
Launched in Sept 2023, the Apple Watch Series 9, has much the same water resistance and ruggedness as the previous Apple Watches. So if you’re looking to upgrade it’s a solid option for tracking your surfing too.
Check out my full Apple Watch Series 9 Surf Watch Guide here
Previous Updates & Info
As the Apple Watch has evolved, and indeed how the apps themselves have evolved with updates, I’ve been trying to keep this post as up to date as possible!
For full transparency (and to keep the post nice and tidy, as well as relevant) here are all the previous updates, incase you wanted to give them a read!)
June 2019 Dawn Patrol Update
Thought I’d add this into the guide as it provides some pretty epic extras! In late May Dawn Patrol released a new version of the app, which now allows you to access even more info from your surf session.
So things like waves speed and wave length for your whole session can now be viewed as a chart just by swiping up on the main session home screen.
The biggest update though has been adding tidal data to the app as well.
You can now add Dawn Patrol as a widget to your iPhone (when you swipe right on the home screen) which will give you the data for your local spot. This widget can also now be added to the Apple Watch too as a complication.
Alongside this the tidal data will also be part of the stats on your session as well – so you can see what part of the tide results in your best wave count or longest rides.
…I’m hoping they’ll add the surf forecast info soon so everything in this guide can be a single app!
Jan 2020 Update – SURFACE IS NOW SURF WATCH!
After a whole heap of messages from people trying to find an alternative to Surface after it disappeared from the app store I unfortunately hit a dead end – which was even more infuriating as I upgraded my iPhone and lost access to it myself too!
Cheers to Alex in the comments though who in January 2020 gave me a heads up that Surface is back in the App Store (well the UK one at least!) but is now renamed as SURF WATCH – and I can confirm that I’ve been able to reinstall it and can still use it to display the surf report.
There is now an extra step though – you have to add Surf Watch to the watch dock (via the watch app on your iPhone) to make it work correctly.
Happy days!
Have you used the Apple Watch as a surf watch?
What are your top sessions?
Awesome blog! I use Dawn Patrol all the time ??
Such an awesome little app hey?
Tried the dawn patrol app also for some weeks and must say it doesn’t feel easy to use and is buggy as hell. No experience with the Rip Curl GPS watch yet, but my expectations were not met with Dawn Patrol.
Hey Patrick, they’ve just released an updated version (within the last week) which also includes tide info now as well (and some extras) so maybe give it another shot with that? Also I found keeping my Watch OS up to date is crucial for a lot of watch based apps, especially if you have an older model like mine
Hey dude thanks for the article. Which strap would you recommend? I bought it for the same reason but super sketch that it will just pop off… Did you buy any other cases for it?
Hey Kevin, I’m just using the standard strap and it hasn’t come off yet *touch wood!*
that being said I do loop a hair band around it and my wrist when I’m in the water just incase!haha!
Noice one. Thanks man
Outstanding post! Glad I found your blog! I had a Nixon Mission watch and loved the connectivity with Surfline but it was very spotty and the watch battery was horrible. It basically died after 7 months and NIxon doesn’t make it anymore….sooooo I guess its going to be an Apple watch for me after seeing your killer video…thanks for all of the work that went into it!
No worries Donald – stoked that everything helped you out! Let me know how you get on with the Apple Watch option!
Great review! One question, does the apple watch need to be both GPS + Cellular or will it work with just GPS? Sorry for the novice question.
Hi Erik – sorry should really include that in the write up actually shouldn’t it? I’ll edit that now! I’ve got the GPS only version so no need to spend the extra on the cellular to get it to track your sessions!
I’m wondering if your watch is still alive. My smart watch which is supposedly 10 ATM waterproof died gradually within 3 months after a week of surfing.
Hi Lee, I’ve been using my Apple Watch for surfing for well over a year now and it’s still going strong with no worries. I do wash it after every session in cold, freshwater as well though.
Outstanding post! I am going to buy apple watch s4 to go surfing, I hope he will not be bad. I from Taiwan
Sweet! Let me know how you get on tracking your sessions!
The watch isn’t water proof, I wore mine surfing last week, it’s now broken due to water ingress and not covered by warranty. As such how can this watch be called a Surf watch.?
Which series do you have Simon? I’ve been using my Series 3 for over a year now and it’s fine – and I surf at least once a day!
I cannot find Surface – is this an app?
Hi Sarah – indeed it’s an app in the Apple App Store, you can click on the link and it should redirect you 🙂
Hey Chris, this seems a great use-case for us paddlers too. Surface, again I can’t find this and the link above is not there? Am I missing something?
Might get in contact with the Windy team and see if complications can be added to their backlog ;).
Cheers mate. K
Hmmmmm I might drop the Surface team an email to see if they’re extending their geo location to cover downloads in other locations. Which App Store country are you using Kieron? Let me know if Windy add it!
…although I’m pretty sure Dawn Patrol will be adding it soon 😉
Do you have a protective case on your watch, or do you ride with just the watch by itself? I’m a little sketched about dropping the money for it and surfing with it EVERY DAY with no case on.
Hey Matthew – I actually don’t have any protective case or different band on at the moment and have been surfing at least once a day for the last 18 months. I do admittedly use a hair band around the watch strap as a fail safe though. There are quite a few “rugged” or “surf bands” out there that might be worth checking out though – I should really test some hey?!
I can’t customize watch face with surface infos, I don’t get the option to do so.. anybody can help? Thanks!’
Which style of watch face are you using Emanuele and have you enabled complications for the Surface app?
Yes! I managed to have it work 🙂 everything worked fine but I have too many spots saved. DELETED the App.. when I went to reinstall it.. surprise.. it is no available on App Store anymore :((( what to do?
…it worked 2 hours for me the completely disappeared 🙁
if you are in Bali am in Uluwatu until end October 🙂
Surface app isn’t available in Australia? Looking into how to get around a geolock but I don’t know what countries it is available in?
Hi Tyler, I just looked into this and I had a pop up saying it should be available in the States still? I’ll also drop them an email to see what they suggest too 🙂
I’m in the US and the Surface App isn’t available. Any suggestions on a work around?
Hi Kevin – I’m busy trying to figure something out at the mo…if you find anything first let me know!
Howzit Chris I’m a saffa who lived in coffee bay for quite awhile so loved the fact you posted that info. I reside in Canada now and I can’t see the surface app either. Any new info on this I actually went and bought a Iwatch 5 today on your reco. Had a Nixon mission before but sadly also died on me.
So jealous – I loved Coffee Bay! Hopefully I can get back there soon!
Looks like Surface has now been pulled from the App Store (for whatever reason) so I’m hunting out a new option for the surf report side of things – let me know if you find one first!
Dawn Patrol now covers the tides too though
hi guys, it is definitely interesting blog. Could you help me if the apple watch series 3 have more features than the the rip curl watch? The price is the same so is important to understand if to surfing the apple watch is better.
Could you help me to remove my doubts?
Many thanks,
Edgar Meira
Hey Edgar, stoked you like the blog! Now Surface isnt available there are a few less points of difference between the two watches, however the fact the Apple Watch then gives you access to all the other apps and features for me makes it a much better investment.
I see. You are right, the apple watch has must more offer in terms of communications and gadgets.
However, the main focus to buy the watch is to control each surfing every days. So, for me is important to understand if the app/watch give me the same (or almost) information. In you opinion the surf performance is similar between the brands?
Many thanks for your support,
Edgar Meira
Fantastic blog. I’m love the dawn patrol app but only managed 2 record 2 waves. Is there a minimum distance, speed & height required?
Hi Rich – stoked you like the blog! Have you played around with the wave settings in the app? I’ve been using mine on the “medium” setting and it’s recording fine – if you’re riding a short beach break you might want to adjust it though
I just bought the Apple Watch series 5 and went surfing, the watch died after 2 minutes and has water damage !!!
Oh shit, sorry to hear that Adi – it should be fine in the water! Might be worth taking it back to Apple and getting it checked out, let me know how you get on!
amazing blog , its really good information ,,
The Surface app is still available. Just search “surface apple watch”. Cheers!
Seems they’ve relaunched it Alex – thanks for the heads up! However it does seem they’ve removed the function to display the surf report as a complication though 🙁
Hi, great video and post about this. Your video was the final reason I needed to update my Rip Curl 1 watch to an Apple watch. It offers so much more for other fitness too etc.
Series 3 GPS is such good value for money at the moment.
One question, Surface works brilliantly in the UK and has surf report and tide state as complications. Surface also has the option to record the surf session, so wondered why you used Dawn Patrol as a secondary app to record?
Also, when you start the Surface wave tracker, it locks the screen.
Caveat: I have not been in the water with it yet as watch is 3 days old and I have been ill.
Many thanks
Hey James, stoked to hear the video helped you out and indeed the series 3 is such good value at the moment!
Hmmmm I still dont have the option to use the surf report as a complication in the Surface App on the watch, only as a widget on my phone. Is that a recent install?
Indeed Surface does have the ability to track surfs but I’ve had heaps of issues with it as well and find Dawn Patrol much more user friendly – so I’m solely using that for my surf tracking now
Thanks for the info.
All the best.
No worries James!
Hi Patrick,
I’ve got surface installed on my watch and iPhone but I can get the complications to show up. Any suggestions, when I go to add them I can find them to add.
Hey Jordan – I had a couple issues with this too and you need to go into the Apple Watch app and make sure you add Surface to the dock section. Should fix it 🙂
Have you seen the latest update from Surface? I think that the name has now changed to Surf Watch, but the new update is awesome. Seemed to be a whole lot more accurate than Dawn Patrol in tracking my sessions!
They’ve updated it today and now the app is called ‘Surf Watch’. The complications on the Apple Watch aren’t as good, although the interface is way better and less glitchy, much more accurate surf reports now too!
hey Ryan – I’ve just seen this actually and waiting on some good wifi to update my iOS and the app. What are the new complications like?
I lost my Apple Watch 5 with black sportswhile surfing in small waves, it got ripped right off my wrist during a wipeout, never to be seen again.
Let my lesson save you a headache: DO NOT USE THE “SPORT” band for surfing , get something with a very solid mechanical clasp.
Oh no Brett – that sucks! Sorry to hear that! I’ve used the standard watch band for a few years but have now swapped to the Sports Loop and touch wood had no issues even in pretty solid surf. Obviously a more hardcore band like the UAG is favourable though, let me know which one you opt for next and I’ll add it in!
I’ve been looking at buying a watch for surfing and after reading your review I’m even more fixed on it. I see you’ve said that you don’t need cellular (GREAT! much cheaper!) but I was wondering about safety, for example If you happen to find yourself injured or in an emergency for example will the gps be able to send an emergency signal without cellular?
Hey Pepper – stoked to post helped you out! Hmmm good questions on the emergency signal. To be honest I’m not 100% sure on that one (especially on the older Series 3)