Using a GPS has opened the doors to a whole new world of windsurfing fun for many sailors. But what can a tiny data-logging box do to change your life so much? They’re just for speed sailors or obsessive tuning geek’s right?

Think again. Sure, the list of advantages includes the obvious and popular speed sailing ladders that allow you to compete with riders all over the globe, against people on the same gear as you or by any number of different categories. And yes, they’re helpful for tuning gear and gaining valuable, factual overland speed feedback on the tweaks you’ve made.

You’ve also probably guessed that they’re handy for collating data about how long for and where you’ve been sailing with their map overlay functionality. But couldn’t I do half of this on my phone you might ask? And if you’re not into the idea of official ranking competition – where you can only use recognized ‘Doppler-enabled’ measuring devices – then, yes, some decent GPS enabled smart phones can indicate a range of pretty accurate figures – if you dare take yours into the high-impact environment of the wind and waves without appropriate protection!

Luckily for you, especially if competition’s not your thing, there’s recently been a range of interesting new products released on the market. Protective iPhone friendly docks that help you record the ‘shape’ of moves or wave rides and measure the height of your best jumps, rugged waterproof cameras that record satellite positioning data in conjunction with film (see your speeds on-screen as you review footage of yourself flying down the local strip) and, of course, instruments that cross over to other activities in your life such as running or cycling and heart rate control.

Here’s 5 that might tickle your fancy…

Contour +2
The Contour+2 not only records full HD video but, with built in GPS as standard, will also record your precise location, speed, elevation and distance. Designed to be simple to use on the water, all you do is hit the record button and go. There’s a rotating lens to line-up your horizon plus you can pick from SloMo, stills and time-lapse. Contour+2 is also controllable from your Smartphone that can also be used as the viewfinder. Comes complete with a waterproof case and a host of mounts for an interesting mix of GPS and camera functionality.

RRP Contour+2 £359.9

ultrasporteu.com

Garmin Forerunner 310XT
Designed with all-round sports use in mind ( bike, hike, watersports), Garmin’s new ‘training partner’ GPS-enabled Forerunner 310XT tracks your time, distance, speed, elevation and heart rate before wirelessly sending data to your computer. Activity logs can be viewed at Garmin Connect where you can store, analyse and overlay tracks on a variety of maps. The Forerunner 310XT is waterproof and boasts a battery life of up to 20 hours and is compatible with the GPS Speedsurfing website ladders.

RRP £259.99

buy.garmin.com/shop

Genie GT31
The Genie GT-31 is the benchmark GPS speed monitor for Windsurfers, Kiteboarders and other record-chasing speed freaks. This Doppler-enabled ‘data-logger’ allows you to upload speed results to gps-speedsurfing.com and compete with rivals from all over the world online. Whether you’re trying to break 30 knots, 40 knots, or even 50knots, the GT-31 is the most widely-used device in speedsailing. A Bluetooth version for wireless data transfer is also available and a waterproof case is recommended.

RRP: £119.99

gps-speed.co.uk

Suunto Ambit
The Suunto AMBIT is a true adventurer’s watch combining GPS navigation, 3D compass and advanced heart rate monitoring in a robust form for ocean, mountain and everyday use. The Ambit allows open water navigation using waypoints,
whilst the accelerometer provides highly responsive speed and pace data with Suunto’s FusedSpeed™ feature. You can upload and view all your sailing movements on their review and community forum at Movescount.com. (Not compatible with GPS Speed Surfing ladders.)

RRP: £350 (without heart rate monitor)

£400 (with HR monitor).

suunto.com/ambit

XensrCase by EpicSesh
Capable of tracking the full 3D pathway of riders in extreme sports such as windsurfing, including jump heights and ‘shapes’, the XensrCase is an accurate solution for tracking sports motion. Connecting to and protecting iPhone 4, 4s, or iPod Touch devices, it uses on-board inertial sensors sampling at 400hz in combination with your phone’s GPS module and allows the XensrCase to not only track vertical data with an unprecedented degree of accuracy, but also delivers precise speed readings . Used with the free EpicSesh App you can compete against others in various categories of height, speed, and more, plus integrate with video overlay and a range of other real-time and statistical broadcast capability solutions.

RRP: £112

Xensr.com