San Diego Pilot
The San Diego Smartfin pilot was conducted with three main goals in mind:
Fin Adoption
In order to test our fins, we wanted to build an engaged community of data-collecting, Smartfin citizen-scientists.
Data Quality
We wanted to prove that the Smartfin sensors were capable of collecting data on par with traditional oceanographic sensors.
Sensor Distribution
We wanted to test how effectively Smartfins could be used to fill in the geographical gaps between more traditional sensors.
The data collected during the Surfrider Pilot has become a starting point for increasing our understanding of nearshore temperature variability in Southern California, as research continues to be done in the area.
Fin Adoption
Each month the San Diego chapter of the Surfrider Foundation organized Smartfin events, including demo days, monthly committee meetings, and special events like happy hours and film screenings.
It was during these events that Smartfin aimed to bring scientists, ocean activists, surfers and the general public together. Researchers were encouraged to talk about their work and participants we encouraged to discuss changes they were experiencing in their local ocean environment.
Nearly 100 Smartfins were distributed to surfers and ocean-activists in the San Diego area, through the San Diego chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Participants were asked to use the Smartfin at least twice a week and share their thoughts and feedback to Smartfin program managers and engineers.
The San Diego pilot collected over 800 hours of data during this time.
Data Quality
Over the course of the year, Scripps Institution of Oceanography processed the temperature data collected by Smartfin participants near Scripps Pier. That data was compared to the temperature recordings of the specialized, stationary sensors located at the end of the Pier.
The graph below compares the seawater temperature recorded at Scripps Pier (represented by the blue line) with the median seawater temperature recorded by Smartfins (shown as black circles) during each surf session.
Sensor Distribution
In order to get a wide distribution of temperature measurements, participants were encouraged to surf in different locations along the San Diego Coast.
Data from the San Diego pilot was used to fill in the gaps that aren't covered by buoys or other ocean sensor systems. As can be seen in the maps, Smartfin allows scientists to quickly deploy a heavy concentration of ocean sensors in areas that no other sensors can operate - surf spots. Given the number of surf spots available at any given time, a much denser geographical concentration of sensors can be achieved. Below, buoys are magenta dots, and Smartfin sessions are white dots with a purple outline.
Participant Testimonial
"The Ocean is my place of refuge. It connects me; reminds me that so many people are trying to get to Heaven but the Earth is already in space, and the Ocean is here sustaining life. It makes me think about the cycle of the moon and the swinging tides and about a star exploding billions of years ago and density stratification and what a miracle life is. And that life was born out of the Sea.
The issues threatening the Ocean from plastics pollution, over-fishing, the culling of predators, offshore drilling to global climate change and the way it affects interconnected ecosystems are all concerning to me.
If doing what I love (surfing) and being where I love to be (in the Sea) can contribute toward scientific research with the ultimate goal of Ocean conservation, then I'm stoked to be doing it.
Surfing for Science. Surfing to create awareness and change. Surfing gives my life both joy and meaning. The Smartfin Project is a joy that gives my surfing meaning. Rad.”
- David Walden, Smartfin Committee Member,
Surfrider San Diego Chapter (San Diego, CA)
