Imagine having a robot shooting your surf in the ocean, instead of having to ask your partner to be there for hours filming the waves you weren't even able to ride and finish off.
Surf REC is an automated surf recording station that tracks and follows each and every wave you take off on at your local surf break.
The robotic cameras installed just by the beach capture all your ridden waves and send them to your account, so you can watch them on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
From there, you may choose to get your rides analyzed and scrutinized by professional surf coaches from all over the world, so that they can share tips and suggestions on how to improve your surf.
Surf REC is a small structure equipped with several cameras and an electronic kiosk facing the lineup.
"We developed a robotic camera that automatically ensures the filming operation guided by a bracelet device that the surfer carries on his arm into the water," explains Paulo Alvito, co-founder and technology developer at Surf REC.
The robot that tracks and films your surf
The idea for Surf REC dates back to 2013, when its founder, Afonso Maya, considered creating a device that could easily track recreational surfers' waves so they could see themselves and find ways to improve their technique.
The cam sharing solution for surfers is simple to use.
Users download an app, create an account, and then log in at the kiosk on the beach, before collecting the bracelet and going surfing for as long as they wish.
As soon as the bracelet is returned, the surfer can immediately download the videos.
The pay-per-use auto-tracking solution can capture surfers up to 2,000 feet (600 meters) away from the cameras.
Sessions can be shot in solo mode (one user, one camera) or dual mode (two users, one camera).
The shooting cost is calculated per minute of usage, that is, €0.25 per minute (€15 per hour) for the solo mode only, for now.
The dual mode will be available soon and allows a friend or a stranger to get a 20 percent discount on the rate for each user.
Surf REC aims to offer more options in the future, including 4K resolution and two image framing options.
The surf clips are automatically deleted after 90 days to ensure our platform runs efficiently and securely.
All sessions are open for booking during daylight hours.
However, the team at Surf REC set aside some camera downtime for occasional maintenance, ensuring the structure is in top-notch shape for your next surf recording session.
A pay-per-use service for recreational surfers
Ultimately, the service aims to improve 99 percent of worldwide surfers, i.e., the non-professional surfing community.
"If you think you're not good enough to see yourself filmed, then how are you going to get better?" explains Surf REC co-founder and pro surfer, José Ferreira.
"So, the more of a beginner you are, the sooner you need to see yourself on film to get better."
"In some people's minds, you just want to film to get your best waves, but that's not really the case."
"If you want to do well on that wave, you definitely need to analyze bad days or just normal days."
As a pro surfer, I knew how analyzing bad days helped me to evolve a lot in the better days. Obviously, free surfers don't need or want to be pros, but I'm sure that people who surf want to progress because that will allow them to have more fun."
The first Surf REC shooting station was installed at the world-class point break of Ribeira d'Ilhas in Ericeira, Portugal, and another one followed in Carcavelos.
However, the team behind the Portuguese startup plans to soon expand its network to some of the country's busiest surf spots: Matosinhos, Porto, Peniche, Santa Cruz, Sintra, Costa da Caparica, Aljezur, and Sagres.
The time when beach surf cams were only used by surfers to check the conditions reached a new stage. Now, you can use them to improve your skills.
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com
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