Australian surfwear brand Rip Curl has updated its surfing app, which can now be downloaded onto Apple Watches for the very first time.
This has expanded the brand’s reach to an estimated 1.7 million Apple Watch owners worldwide.
Apple Watch users who download the app can relive their sessions, compare statistics with friends, check out the pro’s latest surfs, and share their experiences on social media.
Additionally, the Rip Curl Search GPS iOS app offers a leaderboard-style competition called 'Boss of the Break,' where surfers can compete against others at their local surf spots.
Surfers can also create their own virtual leagues to compete against their friends all around the world.
The update of the app comes alongside the launch of Rip Curl’s newest Search GPS3 watch, featuring metrics like paddle count, wave speed and distance travelled, as well as real-time surf conditions from Surfline.
Since launching the first GPS surf and tide watch in 2014, Rip Curl has tracked over 25 million waves across 2,400 beaches globally, in 76 different countries.
“We’re stoked to finally launch the new Search GPS3 watch, packed with next-level surf and tide features,” Rip Curl senior designer of product, experience and innovation Michael Choma said.
“Now, with the Search GPS app available on Apple Watch, even more surfers can experience this groundbreaking technology and become part of a global surfing community.”
According to Rip Curl, the new watch is thinner, lighter and more durable than previous models. It includes a high-resolution colour display, added fitness tracking (including step count, calorie burn, and goal setting), an on-wrist logbook, and phone syncing via the new Rip Curl Search GPS iOS app.
The app is free to download, and includes premium subscription options. The new watch is valued at $349.99 AUD and is available in stores and online.