Method and System for Tracking Surfer Data

Abstract

A sensor, sensor system and methods that measure surfer metrics and ride data and display the data.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for use in tracking a surfboard comprising:
 a traction pad that includes a sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a toe portion and an opposite upright heel portion with a forward surface and opposite aft surface, the aft heel portion including a cavity; and   a sensor configured to be inserted within the cavity of the aft heel portion of the traction pad and releasably secured therein;   wherein the sensor is operable to detect and record the motion and position associated with the surfboard.   
     
     
         2 . The system wherein the sensor further includes an inertial measurement unit to detect motion and position data and GPS to detect velocity, acceleration and elevation data of the surfboard and a communication device that transmits the data via a retransmit interface to a display. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a CPU operable to process the data from the inertial measurement unit and GPS. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  further comprising a data transmit interface operable to display the processed data. 
     
     
         5 . A surfer tracking and training method comprising the steps of:
 providing a sensor configured to track position, motion and ride metrics data while the surfer is on the surfboard;   providing a processor configured to retrieve the data from the sensor and process the data; and   transmitting the data to a data transmit interface to display the surfer position, motion and ride metrics.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of inserting the sensor within a traction pad. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of releasably adhering the traction pad to top surface of surfboard. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claims 5  further comprising the step of transmitting the data according to a predetermined transfer protocol. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the data can be processed to output the surfer data as a virtual form. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the data is output as an athletic performance metric of the surfer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the data output is correlated to a single surfer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the data output is correlated to multiple surfers.