5 Ways Technology Has Disrupted the Watersport Industry

The adaptation of technology has reached just about every possible niche in the world, including the watersport industry. The traditional ways of surfing and whitewater rafting have been significantly enhanced with certain developments in technology. Let's look at how tech has shaken up the watersport industry.

1. It Takes Minimal Skill to Ride on a Surfboard Now

There is a huge fad happening right now in the surfing community on the West Coast. The epidemic of drones has created something called, "dronesurfing" that takes a whole new spin on the watersport of surfing. This is a huge disruption in technology, but whether it's good or bad has yet to be determined.
So, what is dronesurfing exactly?

Essentially, a person attaches a rope and handle to a drone that eventually pulls them on the surfboard. This is a two-person sport though since one person must fly the drone while another person must hold on and ride the ocean water.

Right now, a traditional drone cannot pull a person, so it requires a professional drone that can cost upward of $20,000. However, as the fad catches on, it's possible these drones could be built more powerful and durable for this sport.

Even the most inexperienced surfer can find themselves riding the ocean water without much of a problem. However, the person flying the drone may have a bit rougher time since they must steer the person successfully.

This has taken the modern sport of surfing and turned it into a less athletic sport from what it seems. Surfers see this as a huge disruption to their way of life and the sport they love.

2. Helps Increase Accuracy with Time Measurement in Sports

The increase in technology has significantly assisted sports timing. This is a crucial part of sports, especially in popular competitive sporting events. Events like swimming, whitewater rafting, and paddling require precise timing and with the advances in technology, it is something that is easily achieved.

Most of these electronic timing controllers use precision with computers. It's a significant impact on sports that continues to grow and become more precise to help determine close-call races.

3. Helps the Performance of Athletes

One of the significant benefits that technology brings for watersports is its ability to help enhance the athlete on an individual level. Every athlete requires something slightly different to help with recovering from certain injuries sustained by watersports. This is where technology comes into play.
It can isolate where performers and athletes target the most strain in their muscles. Using certain techniques, they are then able to help each athlete with certain methods of recovery. These machines can isolate the individual problem and work out any kinks in the muscles and tightness or soreness preventing an athlete from performing at maximum capacity.

4. More Accurate Rulings During Sports Events

As with the above mention, timing is everything. Not only has technology helped athletes with increasing their own performance times, it also helps umpires and other sport officials with making accurate calls and decisions during sporting events.

Essentially, technology has created a world where fairness is promoted in watersports. Now, they can monitor even a slight nanosecond different between two athletes to determine a winner. This reassures fans that everything within the sporting event is fair and allows everyone to focus on the game at hand.

As technology grows, it could help other sports even more with their rulings. Tech is adaptive and will continue to grow beyond our own imagination.

5. Allows Coaches and Scouts to Test Sports Performance More Efficiently

Scouts and coaches from universities and the major leagues want to know that they have qualified athletes on their team. The entire season's fate is determined on the strength and ability of every athlete, on both an individual level and team level.

Technology allows coaches and scouts to more thoroughly assess the skills and performance of athletes. This includes swimmers and paddlers. The more technology grows; it can help these scouts pick only the most elite from the ever-growing talent in the world.

Technology Continues to Adapt to Every Niche

Whether it's a watersport like surfing or whitewater rafting, or something as simple as shopping for shoes, technology is helping everyone from businesses to consumers. It allows people to see more information in a smaller scope than ever before. For many people, this might seem intimidating. But this is the necessary progression that keeps our current sports and trends updated with the times.
There is no denying or escaping the reality that technology is taking over. It's beneficial and should be used by any athlete or professional to help them achieve better, faster results. Keeping up with tech is like keeping up with every niche in the world, wouldn't you say?