Stab Predicts: 2016’s Tech Jams

Words by Morgan Williamson 

Surfing’s going full blown tech! Fuck, I hope not. If so, soon we’ll be reduced to wearing crew neck sweatshirts, sweatpants and square spectacles. And rolling out of bed at 11 am, heading to the nearest cafe in slippers to do our ‘surfing’. People will inquire on the waves and we’ll roll our eyes and get back to programming. But, as surfing’s popularity grows, and the need for immediacy increases. More and more advances are emerging with sights geared towards the sport. Tech in surfing, and in everything is becoming increasingly accepted as the norm. It’s just the evolution of all things. In this churning, reproduction of advanced matter, there’s a few techy-little-things we say will take off in or by 2016.

1. GNARBOX: Edits, we need them… now! Oh, immediacy, the crux of today’s desire. With this little guy you’ll be shooting out content day of, from the sand, in 4K. If you’re a bit clumsy, it’s tough exteriors got your number. Drop it or submerge it in water up a meter, it can take it… Or dont, they aren’t cheap but also won’t break your bank. This pup’s essentially a hard-drive, with a wifi-hot spot. “What makes the GNARBOX revolutionary is that it serves the lifestyle of active people who love their cameras.” Co-founder Tim Feess tells Stab. “Whether you’re capturing a morning surf session or a day in the mountains, focusing less time in front of a screen but still creating awesome edits is game changing.  In the past, we had to choose between low-quality mobile apps and lugging a laptop around, that’s now a thing of the past.” You can get a piece of this project, right here. 

2. Wave pools: The changing of the surf trips in order, maybe not. But it might get you packing a board when heading to places without a proper coastline. Wave pools are hardly a fresh idea. The first wave pool was developed in Tempe, Arizona in 1969. But this year, for surfers; they are starting to become an actual thing. Snowdonia in the UK and The Wavegarden in Austin, Texas seemed have figured out the the right jelly to jam. Now featuring perfect waist-high-plus waves. They’re a step up from the originally popularized wave pools such as the Wavehouse in San Diego. These two wave pools look like so much fun, they may spark a different type of surf destination. Head to Austin for South by Southwest and bring a board. Groove by night, snag waves by day, that doesn’t sound to shabby.

3. Shark Shield: Sharks are all the rage! After Mick Fanning was nearly mauled by a sea beast during a live broadcast at J-bay, the Shark Shield’s gained some attention. Capitalizing on the coast’s greatest fear. The Shark Shield itself consists of two electrodes. It’s all about the stimulation baby… Once you slapped that shield on your board, you’ve given into the fear. And the fear is real. Next shark in your vicinity will probs be attracted to you because they can smell the fear. Then the poor guy will blasted with muscle spasms caused by the electrodes, pinpointing the snout. Those rows of teeth will be off, and you’ll casually glide into your next wave with limbs intact. Doesn’t that sound pretty? Out of sight out of mind’s a good technique in my opinion, but if the fear has got you, pick yourself up one right here.

4. Lilly Drone: Drones, man… Pretty soon the space above crowded lineups is going to look like the intro of The Jetsons. The Lilly’s basically the result of a drone and camera’s unprotected night in Vegas. You attach a transponder to your arm, and now your robot friend is in the sky, recording your every move. It’s intentional big brother, never miss a shot. However, be wary, it’s as the age old saying goes: If you got to film yourself, no one probably wants to watch you surf. But who cares? Get after it! Want a piece of the pie? Preorder here.

5. GoPro 4 Session: Hey, GoPro’s are getting smaller. What a surprise! Never in a million years would I anticipate the pocket camera shrinking, never. But, all facetiousness aside. These are going to take off, why? Because it’s GoPro and people fucking love it. They made camera’s too accessible. Every little kid these days is sporting one. The world’s on camera and GoPro’s leading the charge. They cut the Hero 4 down 50 percent for the Session model. If you get one, try not to drop it down your sink. Get at it, right here.