Best Tools for Tracking Surf Progression in 2025
Compare the top ways to track your surfing improvement over time. From AI analysis history to surf journals and session logs.
How do you know if you're actually improving at surfing? Without tracking, it's easy to feel stuck even when you're making progress - or think you're improving when you're not.
The best surfers track their progression deliberately. Whether through video analysis over time, session journals, or technique benchmarks, tracking helps you stay motivated and focused.
Why Track Your Surf Progression?
- Motivation - See concrete evidence of improvement
- Focus - Know what's working and what needs more attention
- Accountability - Stay committed to your goals
- Celebrate Wins - Recognize progress you might otherwise miss
- Identify Patterns - See what conditions help you surf best
Below we compare the most effective ways to track your surf progression.
Top Tools for surf progression tracking
Surf Buddy Coach
AI technique analysis with progression tracking built in. See how your technique improves over weeks and months with objective measurements.
Pros
- Objective technique tracking over time
- Compare specific techniques
- Visual progress evidence
- AI identifies improvements automatically
- Free during beta
Cons
- Requires regular video uploads
- Focuses on technique, not stats
- New platform (growing features)
Surf Journal/Notes App
Traditional method of writing session notes. Simple, flexible, but requires discipline.
Pros
- Free (any notes app)
- Completely flexible
- Captures subjective feelings
- Quick to update
Cons
- Subjective - hard to track objectively
- Easy to forget details
- No visual reference
- Requires discipline to maintain
Session Tracking Apps (Dawn Patrol, etc.)
Apps that track session stats like wave count, time in water, and conditions.
Pros
- Automatic session detection
- Wave count and stats
- Condition tracking
- Social features
Cons
- Tracks quantity, not quality
- Doesn't analyze technique
- Wave counts can be inaccurate
- Subscription costs
Video Library (Google Photos, etc.)
Organizing surf clips in folders by date. Manual but gives you full visual history.
Pros
- Full visual archive
- Free or low cost
- You control organization
- Can rewatch anytime
Cons
- Manual organization required
- No analysis or feedback
- Hard to compare systematically
- Time consuming to review
Periodic Pro Video Analysis
Getting professional analysis every few months to benchmark progress.
Pros
- Expert assessment
- Detailed technique comparison
- Can ask about specific progress
- Nuanced feedback
Cons
- Expensive for regular tracking
- Infrequent data points
- Subjective (different coaches)
- No self-serve access
Why We Recommend Surf Buddy Coach
Surf Buddy Coach combines the visual evidence of video with objective AI analysis, making it easy to see concrete technique improvements over time. Unlike journals or stats apps, it tracks what matters most - your actual surfing technique.
Visual Progress Timeline
See your technique evolution with side-by-side comparisons over time.
Objective Measurements
AI provides consistent, unbiased assessment of your technique changes.
Celebrate Improvements
Get notified when the AI detects meaningful improvements in your surfing.
Ready to Improve
Your Surfing?
Upload your surf footage and get instant AI-powered feedback on your technique. No expensive coaching sessions required.
No credit card required
Instant Feedback
Get detailed analysis in under a minute
Personalized Tips
Feedback tailored to your skill level
Track Progress
See your improvement over time
Ready to upgrade your surf progression tracking?
Join surfers already tracking their technique improvement with AI
Free during beta • No credit card required