Surf Tracker - BreakFinder

The only Garmin surf tracker with its own wave detection algorithm. Most surf apps on Garmin just display Garmin's native data - the same algorithm that has not been updated since 2021 and famously counts paddle strokes and white water as waves. BreakFinder runs its own detection directly on your watch, fusing accelerometer and GPS signals in real time. The result: a wave count you can actually trust, shown live on your wrist while you surf. WHY SURFERS SWITCH FROM DAWN PATROL AND GARMIN NATIVE - Garmin native surf activity: unchanged since 2021, counts 15-20+ "waves" in sessions where you caught 6-8 - Dawn Patrol on Garmin: imports Garmin's flawed data, runs no own detection, shows no live wave count on the watch, requires an iPhone, and does not support the Instinct 2S - BreakFinder: own algorithm running on the watch (not a post-processing step), live wave count with haptic feedback, works on Android and iOS, supports 190+ Garmin devices including the Instinct 2S Academic research backs this approach. Gomes et al. (2019) demonstrated that GPS-only wave detection achieves just 60-70 percent precision, while GPS plus accelerometer fusion reaches 97.5 percent (DOI 10.3390/s19143138). BreakFinder is the only Connect IQ app that uses this fusion approach. HOW IT WORKS - CONFIDENCE FUSION (v4.0) Four independent signals from your watch combine into a single confidence score: - Accelerometer patterns - detects wave energy, rejects paddle strokes - GPS speed - validates forward motion on the wave - Paddle cadence detection - recognizes rhythmic paddling and blocks false triggers - Freefall analysis - instantly detects steep takeoffs and late drops A wave is only counted when combined confidence exceeds the threshold. No more phantom waves from paddling, current, or GPS noise. THREE SENSITIVITY PRESETS - White Water - beginners and foam rides - Green Wave - intermediate, balanced detection - Performance - advanced, only committed rides FEATURES - Automatic wave count - no button pressing - Live wave counter on the watch display with haptic feedback per wave - GPS distance and speed tracking for every ride - Heart rate monitoring and activity zones - Activity classification: paddling, riding, waiting - Paddle versus ride time breakdown per session - Manual wave count editing - correct the algorithm when it miscounts - Session replay on breakfinder.surf with GPS tracks, heart rate and speed - Saves locally, syncs automatically when connected - Works with Garmin Connect auto-sync - Algorithm Lab: adjust the detection constants to your surf style after your session SUPPORTED DEVICES 190+ Garmin devices. From Fenix 8 to Instinct 2S - same algorithm, same accuracy. Budget devices run the full detection pipeline. Examples: Fenix 6, 7, 8 series, Forerunner 255, 265, 955, 965, 970, Epix Gen 2, Enduro 2 and 3, Venu 2 and 3, Instinct 2, 2S, 2X, Instinct Crossover, Instinct E, Instinct 3 series, Descent G1 and Mk3, Quatix 7, MARQ series. GET STARTED 1. Install BreakFinder from the Connect IQ Store 2. Create your free account at breakfinder.surf 3. Go surf Recording is always free. Premium unlocks unlimited sessions, session replay, and cross-device sync. https://breakfinder.surf/en/surf_sessions/garmin Note: Requires a free BreakFinder account for session sync and wave analysis. Recording works without an account.

BreakFinder 5.0.0 — What's New Version 5.0.0 is our biggest update yet: a completely redesigned interface and far more reliable session recording. NEW LOOK — "Ember Instrument" design A ground-up redesign with a deep-black background, a bold accent color, and clean, decluttered screens. The live view, wave counter, session summary, and pairing screen are all easier to read at a glance — even in bright sun. Your session summary is now a single, focused page instead of five. GPS TRACK UPLOAD FOR WAVE REVIEW Your sessions now upload a GPS track, so you can review and verify your waves afterward — even when your phone wasn't connected during the surf. MORE STABLE - Fixes crashes on Venu devices ("Too Many Timers") - GPS tracks are no longer lost, even across back-to-back sessions - More resilient on devices with limited storage SHARPER WAVE DETECTION Improved position and speed checks catch your waves more reliably, even without a continuous GPS signal. Thanks for surfing with BreakFinder. Got feedback? We read every review. 4.1.0 Adjust the wave detection algorithm on your surfing! The constants are now more clever and adjustable for everyone on user level! https://breakfinder.surf/en/reviews/algorithm-lab Once your watch upload a surf session, you will get the real and not synthetic data and can change the knobs to match your real surfed waves. The next time you will hit the water you get the improved algorithm with the constants you have set! 4.0.19 fixed GPS warmup issue after duck dive or wipe out. 4.0.17 — Current drift protection - Fixed false positive waves caused by strong ocean currents. When sitting on your board in current, GPS shows movement but there's no actual wave ride. Two new protections: - Speed acceleration analysis: real wave takeoffs show rapid speed increase, current drift does not - Speed profile validation: rejects waves with constant speed (no takeoff/deceleration pattern) Also includes: paddle-out protection, GPS spike filter, car driving rejection. Version 4.0 Smarter Wave Detection & Support for More Devices New: Confidence Fusion Wave Detection - Waves are now detected using multiple signals combined: accelerometer patterns, GPS speed, paddle detection, and freefall analysis - Reduces false wave counts from paddling, chop, and GPS noise - Each signal contributes a confidence score — a wave is only counted when the combined confidence exceeds the threshold New: Paddle Cadence Detector - Automatically recognizes rhythmic paddling motion using autocorrelation analysis - Suppresses false wave triggers during sprint paddling - Works on all devices including low-memory models (Instinct 2, FR245, Fenix 5/6) New: Freefall & Barometer Gate (Tier 2) - Detects steep wave takeoffs via freefall-to-impact sequence — triggers wave detection instantly without waiting for speed confirmation - Barometer submersion gate confirms you're actually in the water, reducing false positives on land - Wipeout detection tracks high-G impacts during rides Improved: Low-Memory Device Support - Major memory optimization for Instinct 2/2S/2X, FR245, Fenix 5/6 and similar devices - Reduced app memory footprint to fit within tight device limits - All wave detection features now available on low-memory devices Fixed: False Wave Triggers on Budget Devices - Fixed GPS multipath spikes causing false waves during paddling on Instinct and older Forerunner devices - GPS warmup now properly extended for devices with slow GPS acquisition - Speed gate requires 2 consecutive GPS readings instead of 1, filtering single-ng post wave validation