I stopped wearing a watch when I got my first cell phone back in 1999. I believe the model at the time was the Nokia 8210 (thank you Google!). For me, I found needing to wear a watch was unnecessary because my phone was my timepiece. The only reason I wore a watch was to know the time when needed – to make sure I wasn’t late. I didn’t care to invest in watches for the value they could gain over time, or to compliment an outfit. However, now my needs have changed, but it may surprise some what the main driver is. Surfing!

For those of you that surf, can probably relate to how much time goes by when you are out in the water, especially when there is a really good swell hitting your favorite beach break.   Unfortunately, good surf does not work around my schedule, and instead I have to work around Mother Nature. So, this is the only time I find myself having to wear a watch. For those surf sessions where I have to get out of the water at a certain time, because life happens: I have to watch the kids, my wife is going to meet friends, work, or other appointments that can’t be missed.

Going Beyond Telling Time

So, why an Apple Watch – good question!  Right now, I use a cheap $8 watch I got at Walmart about 6 years ago. The thing is still working, I have not changed the battery once, and it has been subjected to saltwater erosion over many surfing sessions. All things considered, I have had no real reason to change. The watch is cheap and durable. However, as I have been doing my research around the Apple Watch, and newer versions come out, I can start to see the value of investing in this technology. 

So, on September 15^th Apple announced the new Series 6 Apple Watch. Like any new version of a device, there are additional features and functionality that are better than the predecessor. Of course, I read some reviews of the newest version, but many of the new features I know I’ll never use. The first thing I care about is that the watch is water resistant.  Starting with Apple Watch Series 2 and newer, all their watches were water resistant for up to 50 meters – which is plenty for me. The second is the ability to track my surf sessions. 

There are a variety of apps you can download that are specific to surfing, or you can use some of the native fitness apps that Apple provides that track how much paddling you have done, calories burned during your surf session, heart rate, etc. The third, and probably the most important, is the ability to make a phone call or be reachable in an emergency. When you are surfing, you are exposed to certain elements that are outside of your control: taking a bad fall, having a close encounter with sea life, witnessing someone else who is in trouble or injured, etc.  Having the ability to call for help either for yourself, or someone else, is a huge benefit. We’ve all heard the expression – if they would have waited any longer for help…, or fortunately someone was there in time to call for help… When there is a crisis or emergency, time is of the essence and fortunately we live in a world where you can be surfing and make a phone call, or receive a call in that kind of emergency situation.

I don’t know what version of the Apple Watch I will end up getting. The latest series, Series 6, seems like a good choice, but I’m sure I can save a few bucks by getting an earlier version which will allow me to accomplish all three of my goals when surfing.