Apple and the WSL Take the Surf Experience to the Next Level

Tya Zebrowski surfing in the semifinals of the 2026 VIVO Rio Pro while wearing an Apple Watch - Thiago Diz/WSL

This week, the launch of a new edition of Apple at Play was announced, an audiovisual series that showcases how digital tools have become a key ally for athletes and a new way to bring fans closer to the sport.

This latest installment focuses on the Championship Tour (CT), the elite circuit of the World Surf League (WSL), and explores how competitors use the Apple Watch during their heats to access key real-time information. Through exclusive footage and first-hand accounts from the surfers themselves, the production highlights the impact technology has on decision-making in the water.

Gabriel Medina surfing at the 2024 Lexus Pipe Pro wearing an Apple Watch - Brent Bielmann/WSL

The collaboration between the two organizations began in 2023, when the Apple Watch became the official wearable device of the WSL. Since then, athletes have been able to check data such as heat scores, wave priority, and remaining competition time directly from their wrist through the WSL Surfer app, developed specifically for competitive surfing.

One of the most significant developments of this partnership arrived during the current season with the integration of biometric and performance data into the league’s official broadcasts. Viewers can now access information such as athletes’ heart rates, wave speeds, and the distance traveled during each ride, adding a new dimension to the live viewing experience.

Mateus Herdy wearing an Apple Watch - Beatriz Ryder/WSL

According to the WSL, this integration aims to provide a deeper understanding of the physical and strategic demands surfers face during a heat, bringing audiences closer to the reality of the sport from an entirely new perspective. “Being able to see my score, know who has priority, and how much time is left has changed the way I compete,” said American surfer Lakey Peterson.

The collaboration also extends into content creation, as Apple announced that the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be used to produce content for social media and live broadcasts, taking advantage of their advanced photography and video capabilities in demanding environments such as professional surfing.

The Apple Watch at the 2024 Lexus Pipe Pro - Jesse Jennings/WSL

From performance analysis to the broadcast experience, technology continues to gain ground in elite surfing, and Apple and the WSL are exploring new ways to take the sport to the next level.