The World Surf League (WSL) has announced its integration of the Apple Watch as the official wearable equipment of the WSL.
This introduction marks the first time Apple Watch will be used as official competitor equipment in a professional sports environment.
Throughout the Championship Tour (CT) season, elite WSL CT athletes will get access to the new WSL Surfer app on Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra.
Every competitor will receive an Apple Watch before each heat, which will come preloaded with the WSL’s new app.
The WSL Surfer app will provide athletes with key information in real-time while in water during the competition, such as scores, wave priority, and time in the heat.
Many CT athletes have tested the WSL Surfer app on Apple Watch over the previous two seasons to ensure it meets the needs of competition, and look forward to the benefits it will provide them throughout the season. All athletes will also receive training on the WSL Surfer app ahead of the season’s start.
“The unique capabilities, ease of use, and incredible water resistance of Apple Watch make it the ideal solution to support our surfers competing in the extreme conditions of our worldwide tour,” said Erik Logan, WSL CEO.
“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.
The 2023 Championship Tour will include 10 regular-season events in seven countries, starting in January at the Billabong Pro Pipeline.
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I still have trouble trusting chemicals in the pool, or even swimming in the lake with mine. How are other peoples experience with the water resistance?
On hard work outside even get the Clear water/liquid by holding the crown message.
Scary stuff lol.. even with AppleCare..
I guess this is a good way to claim clout to its resistance with this type of sponsor or partnership.
Interesting. I’ve been doing water sports since my AW Series 3 without issues. Surf, Kite Surfing, Paddle-board, Swimming, snorkeling (down to 10 meters). The list goes long…
Well it stems from accidentally swimming with my 12 pro max, a couple months after it came out, allegedly water resistant.
And I accidentally started swimming out, stayed in my shorts pocket so wasn’t much “pressure” from depth, but it wasn’t in the water but 3-4 minutes, and it died from water damage.
So Apple care replaced it but it was considered accidental damage.
Now there were no noticeable or visible cracks, it was visibly mint. But there must have been a defective issue with how it’s sealed, or something along those lines that let enough fluid into it to kill it.
And I’ve gone swimming for longer with an iPhone 6 Plus which dried out and worked pretty fine for a long time after even with a considerably longer time submersed.
iDevice PTSD haha
The article is about Apple Watch, not about the iPhone and its “water resistant” feature. What am I missing?.
Just if the 12 Pro Max is touted to still have a resistance to water and that failed, I now have been very hesitant to trust the water resistance rating with my watch for the same reason.
So are almost everyone I know that has an Apple Watch. I have not one person I know that takes it into water.
Are you aware that the iPhone and the Apple Watch have different IP rating?. I would definitely suggest you do some research about the products you buy; this may help when it comes take advantage of all their features and use them in appropriate conditions.
Best,
JF