Surf session tracking apps

GPS Track Editor. See below

This is my experiences of wave tracking functions for GPS data.

I use a Garmin Fenix watch as the main data source, but I have tried some different ways to analyze wave count, ride lengths, etc. 

For overall history I have used Endomondo, which was shut down by Under Armour, and replaced by a much less functional product, regrettably and very sad.

Surf Tracker 2 - Garmin data field

A Data Field app exists to install on the Garmin Watch that works really well in the water. Great choice of settings to select what should count as a wave. Nice display during surf and and the general wave counts and basic stats available in Garmin Connect.

The individual wave data is available by connecting the watch with USB and reading the log files. This needs some manual steps to set up, and also some skills to understand. But the data is good. Instructions

The data is good, with a accurate wave count unless some running on the beach or gps errors.

I have used this for several years and importing the data to Excel for stats.

Waves Tracker - App

Waves tracker is an App, originally connected to specific hardware (not garmin). But it can still be used by uploading GPX data to the web version on https://web.wavestracker.com/

So with a bit of manual handling it can be used with the Garmin (or other) gps data. The data is then shown in the App only. A subscription is required to see more detailed data.

Compared to Surf Tracker, the settings is less flexible. It also registers too many waves in my opinion as it tracks paddle attemts but clearly not catched the wave. 

The nice aspect is the grapical view where the waves are printed separately.

Garmin - Surf - workout 

Recently there is a workout type to be added in the Garmin watch called Surf. But very few settings and my test only registered 2 waves when analyzing the GPS track there should have been more than 10. According to Waves Tracker. It doesnt seems to work together with the Surf Tracker Data Field. 

Maybe that destroyed the data. I has to test this more before I can give a real opinion.

GPS Track Editor

A windows application that has a couple of nice features. It can open serveral track simultaneously and join them in a collected view.

It also can filter on inconsistent data, to get rid of spikes etc that is quite common in water activies. Below water the GPS signal is bad. This you'd expect were more included in the watches apps, with reasonable filters for each sport.