World Surf League Adopts Apple Watch as Official Wearable - MacRumors
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World Surf League Adopts Apple Watch as Official Wearable

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The World Surf League (WSL) today named the Apple Watch as its official wearable, with the device set to be used as official competitor equipment in a sports environment for the first time.

world surf league
During the 2023 Championship Tour, WSL athletes will use the WSL Surfer app on the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra to get updates while they're surfing in the competition. The app is designed to sync with the WSL Scoring System in real time, offering athletes important details on scores, wave priority, and time remaining in the heat.

world surf league apple watch
Each competitor will receive an Apple Watch before each heat, with the watch to come preloaded with the WSL app. The app has been in testing with Championship Tour surfers during the prior two tours to make sure that it meets the needs of competitors. Apple's Director of Apple Watch Product Marketing Eric Jue said the company is "thrilled" the WSL is adopting the Apple Watch.

"We're thrilled the WSL is utilizing Apple Watch for the Championship Tour, making it simple and easy for surfers to quickly glance at their wrist for instant access to vital information," said Eric Jue, Apple's Director of Apple Watch Product Marketing. "This innovative solution leverages many of the advanced features of Apple Watch -- bright high-resolution display, durability, water resistance, cellular connectivity, and a powerful platform for organizations to build custom apps -- and the new WSL Surfer app will empower surfers competing at the highest level with the information they need while in the water."

The 2023 Championship Tour includes 10 events in seven countries, and is set to kick off in January with the Billabong Pro Pipeline. Tour events will be broadcast in the WSL app, on the WSL YouTube channel, and on the website. Apple TV+ surfing documentary "Make or Break," which covers the WSL Championship Tour, is set to return on February 17, 2023.

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Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
48 months ago
Ok! That's pretty cool. I love my Apple Watch Ultra. I need to learn how to surf tho. 🏄‍♀️
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wildkraut Avatar
Wildkraut
48 months ago
At least they will be able to locate someones arm after a shark attack.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
melliflu Avatar
melliflu
48 months ago
The design sounds ok for surfing, as long as one stands up fast enough: "if you've been immobile for about a minute, it will make the call automatically."


Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jsalda Avatar
jsalda
48 months ago

I had Watch 7 stainless steel gold. My Ultra is much better.

Surfers are fit athletes. If the weight of an Ultra is a problem for a surfer then that's the least of his/her problems.
It’s not the added weight, it’s something different on their body. Professional athletes are fine tuned, so much so that, the smallest difference in their equipment can really throw them off. I’m nowhere near their level, but if I’m wearing a different watch, or bracelet, or whatever when I play pickup games, it bothers me and is a distraction.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr_Risin_Mojo Avatar
Mr_Risin_Mojo
48 months ago

Ok! That's pretty cool. I love my Apple Watch Ultra. I need to learn how to surf tho. 🏄‍♀️
If everybody had an ocean
Across the U.S.A.
Then everybody'd be surfin'
Like Californi-a 😁

I like the progress that the WSL makes for some years now!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
adamw Avatar
adamw
48 months ago
Surf's up for the Apple Watch! Product placement for Apple, and expanding the brand exposure to more people is a good thing for all Apple customers and shareholders.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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