The Rip Curl Search GPS3. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia · Over the last few years, I’ve gotten into running as a way to build my fitness for extended surf days and winter backcountry travel. And very quickly, I’ve learned how beneficial a GPS watch can be for tracking performance.
These days, the market is awash with GPS watch options, but very few are built with the needs of surfers in mind. A quick scan of the different offerings from some of the most recognizable brands in the space (think Garmin, Suunto, Coros, and Apple) reveals that, at best, getting key info relevant to surfers like tide or surf conditions is a hassle of add-ons or widgets, or at worst, there’s no way to display this info at all. Rip Curl’s Search GPS3 ($250) is different.The third iteration of the brand’s surf-specific GPS watch, the Search GPS3, is a streamlined GPS tracker that displays current and future tide information, surf conditions, and more on its default display – no clunky workarounds required. For the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to test the Rip Curl Search GPS3 in and out of the water – tracking surfs and runs around home.And while the Search GPS3 lacks some of the features you might find in GPS watches at higher price points, it absolutely delivers on the essentials surfers need the most and then some. For more surf watch options, head to our Best Surf Watches review. Bottom Line: The Rip Curl Search GPS3 is the ideal GPS watch for surfers who prioritize having ocean conditions info at their fingertips.But, if you’re looking to upgrade from a standard tide watch to a light, comfortable number that tracks key stats for each surf and also allows you to view your clips using Surfline’s Sessions feature, the Search GPS3 is a great option. Check Price on Rip Curl