GPS Chips in Jerseys for Quiksilver Pro

Posted on February 9th, 2011 by JZ
gps technology surfer rash guard jersey asp world tour quiksilver pro 610x402 GPS Chips in Jerseys for Quiksilver Pro

If you thought the speed of technology was moving too fast, wait until you see how fast the top surfers in the world are moving during competition. For the first contest of the 2011 ASP World Tour, which is the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, surfers will be wearing contest jerseys with a tiny GPS tracking chip embedded into it so we can see how fast they really move.

This will be the first for surfers and has been stirring up a buzz of excitement over which surfer is the fastest thanks to realtime data provided by the GPS chip. Quiksilver has teamed up with VX Sports, a company from New Zealand that specializes in monitoring the movement of athletes.

The surfers competing in the Quiksilver Pro will have the option to wear the device in their jersey but Quiksilver will be keeping track and at the end of the event, the fastest surfer will win $2,500. It’s also going to make for even more interesting live commentary as the guys in the booth will have access to the data as the pros are surfing.

The guys on tour are just as excited as everyone else. Bede Durbidge recently had a chance to test it out in a free surf. “I got to test drive the GPS unit and it was unreal,” said Durbidge. “I was so surprised; I couldn’t even feel it in my rashie. It’s going to be exciting to see who the fastest surfer on tour is.”

How fast will these guys go?

“Bede (Durbidge) was clocked at 29.2 kph [18 mph] while doing a massive front side air,” said Nigel Muscroft, Quiksilver and Roxy Events Manager. “The speeds at Snapper or Kirra should well exceed 35 kph [21.7 mph]. There are a lot of fast surfers on tour, but my money is on Mick (Fanning) or Taj (Burrow), or even Dane (Reynolds) through his turns.”

It’s going to make for an exciting first contest of 2011. Check out the event trailer along with the official press release below for information on the GPS device.

COOLANGATTA/QLD (Wednesday, 9th February, 2011): The rapid rise of technology will see surfers speed levels monitored at the upcoming Quiksilver and Roxy Pro’s presented by Land Rover to determine who is the fastest competitor on the planet. For the first time ever the opening 2011 ASP World Title and ASP Women’s World Title events will offer surfers the choice to embed a GPS device powered by ‘VX Sports’ in their contest jerseys and record their speed on each wave.

The site set-up has commenced at Snapper Rocks on Australia’s southern end of the Gold Coast for the world tour event from February 26th – March 9th. ASP World no.6 and former Quiksilver Pro runner-up Bede Durbidge (Currumbin, Qld, Aus), 27, tested the innovative device and was impressed with the technology stating it will bring new excitement levels and be beneficial to training as well. “I got to test drive the GPS unit and it was unreal,” said Durbidge. “I was so surprised; I couldn’t even feel it in my rashie. It’s going to be exciting to see who the fastest surfer on tour is.”

Surfers will wear a small device that weighs less than 3 ounces, which is sewn into the jersey and sits between the shoulder blades. The data from this device is relayed back to a computer that displays the speed in real time. “It’s going to be great for the spectators to add that excitement factor,” said Durbidge. “It’ll blow people out how much work surfer’s are doing in their heat and how fast their going through their bottom and top turns and in the air. It’s going to be great for surfing.”

“Bede (Durbidge) was clocked at 29.2 kph [18 mph] while doing a massive front side air,” said Nigel Muscroft, Quiksilver and Roxy Events Manager. “The speeds at Snapper or Kirra should well exceed 35 kph [21.7 mph]. There are a lot of fast surfers on tour, but my money is on Mick (Fanning) or Taj (Burrow), or even Dane (Reynolds) through his turns.” In a world first the device’s data will be relayed live into the broadcast commentary team for analysis, a first in the ASP world tour history. “This is a first for a World Tour event,” said Muscroft. “The whole idea is purely to enhance commentary and broadcast, create some further interest, advance the sport of surfing, and find out who really is the fastest surfer.”

It isn’t compulsory for the surfers to wear the device, and surfers will get the opportunity to try the units out with blank jerseys before surfing their heats for peace of mind. A daily leader board on quiksilverpro.com.au and roxypro.com.au will show who’s in front with the fastest male and female surfer at the end of the event winning $2,500 each. Durbidge, who has been a consistent performers at the Gold Coast event however a win has eluded him so far and he is hoping 2011 is his year. “It would be a dream come true to take Snapper out,” he said. “Mick (Fanning), Joel (Parkinson) and Dean (Morrison) have all won so it would be good to get a win at home. Durbidge also added that 10-time ASP world champion Kelly Slater (USA) may find the competition tougher this year but the Floridian will be out to win again. “It’s such an amazing that Kelly (Slater) did by claiming his 10th world title,” he said. “Being that dominant in the sport has been unprecedented. To backup it will be a little bit tough for him. He can’t sit on the fence and I’m sure he’ll be there trying his hardest.”

The opening ASP Men’s World Tour event will be staged in conjunction with the Roxy Pro presented by Land Rover on the southern end of the Gold Coast, the opening event of the 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour. The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro’s presented by Land Rover will be webcast live from various camera angles with post heat interviews with the world’s elite surfers. Log onto quiksilverpro.com.au.

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