Australian surfing brand Rip Curl has launched a world-first virtual surfing competition utilising its GPS watch range.
The Rip Curl Virtual Pro contest - presented by Fiji - was held retrospectively, with surfers not knowing they were part of the event.
If Rip Curl GPS users logged a session during the 10-day competition period (between April 4 and 14), their data was analysed and scored by a unique algorithm based on five key points: distance paddled, surf time, total waves surfed, top speed, longest waves and number of surfs - culminating in a final score and personalised surf data video.
The winner will receive a prize trip for five to Fiji later this year.
Rip Curl GPS allows surfers globally to plan, capture and relive their surfing activity via their smartphone devices.
Since the GPS launch in 2014, it has tracked over 50,000 surfers across 76 countries, recording 25 million waves surfed across 2,400 beaches.
The next round of the Rip Curl Virtual Pro competition will be open to the public, offering non-professional surfers the chance to compare skills with amateurs and pros globally.
It comes after a notable increase in surfing participation globally, with the International Surfing Association reporting the number of surfers worldwide has increased by 25% over the past decade, with more than 35 million people now enjoying the sport.
“Aligned with our vision of being ‘the ultimate surf company”, the development and launch of our GPS Watch technology was a pinnacle moment for Rip Curl and the launch of The Rip Curl Virtual Pro is another display of leadership in a rapidly changing surfing landscape,” Rip Curl head of brand and marketing James Taylor said.
Tourism Fiji head of global marketing Srishti Narayan welcomed the new venture alongside its partnership with Rip Curl.
“The Virtual Pro is a truly unique competition, and we can’t wait to see winners in the ultimate surf destination, Fiji, later this year,” she said.