The Apple Watch is enjoying a new milestone as the World Surf League (WSL) has chosen the wearable as official wearable equipment. The organisation says it’s the first time that Apple Watch is being “used as official competitor equipment in a professional sports environment”.
The Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra will be used to keep surfers informed while they’re out on the water. There’s also a special WSL app that will sync with the league’s official scoring system in real-time, giving surfers all of the information they need while competing.
Each competitor will be given an Apple Watch before each heat, with the watch coming preloaded with the WSL app. The app, MacRumours, reports, has been in testing with Championship Tour surfers during the prior two tours to make sure that it meets the needs of competitors. According to WSL, Apple Watch fits the situation because of its “bright high-resolution display, durability, water resistance, cellular connectivity, and a powerful platform for organisations to build custom apps”.
“The noise of the wind and the waves can sometimes make it impossible to hear the announcers while competing, and that means you miss crucial information,” said Italo Ferreira, WSL champion and Olympic gold medalist. “Challenging conditions can make it hard to see the beach and a priority penalty could cost you the heat, so not needing to rely on seeing the beach or hearing the announcers makes a huge difference and prevents guesswork. When it’s all on the line, scoring and priority are critical. You have so much on your mind at that point, so having an Apple Watch helps you stay on track in those situations and is a total game changer.”
