Stats
In water sports, we wish to know our statistics, such that we know whether we're improving set by set. Specifically: Stroke rate Speed Time taken Other statistics can be derived, such as average speed through the whole set, max speed and pace, however these are additional features. On the market, there exists Garmin GPS watches that display speed and time, as well as their derivatives. Advantages: 1. Accurately displays Speed Distance Time 2. Easy to operate, buttons are well placed and don’t feel mushy 3. Very customisable, different profiles for different sports 4. Up to 4 different screens with each screen able to display up to 4 different statistics 5. Can be connected to heart rate monitor 6. Has a map system to show the route that was taken 7. Data can be saved on phone, computer or on their cloud server 8. Quick release attachment to quickly move watch from one mount to another, great for triathlons 9. Visible under most light conditions Disadvantages: 1. Quick release is fragile, can come off during capsizes 2. Watch not buoyant 3. No simple means to attach to boat without the fragile quick release 4. Strap is customised, difficult to replace Another product is the stroke coach, which displays stroke rate Advantages 1. Accurately displays stroke rate 2. Very tough and durable 3. Visible under bright sunlight Disadvantage 1. Doesn't have proper mount 2. Difficult to use button 3. Difficult to start/stop timer 4. Not buoyant 5. Uses button cells Both these devices were made with individual training in mind, although they do their individual jobs exceptionally well, they don't fair well in dragon boat which can have as many as 20 rowers. During typical training which might last for 2 hours, a steersman or coach might use the device to relay the statistics to the rowers, however there is only so much a person can do. The steersman might lose track and forget to relay the statistics, or while attempting to view it, they might lose control of the boat. Also the steers might become mentally fatigued, having to focus on multiple things. If the device can be placed where many people can see, it would alleviate this problem significantly. Or if the display can be placed somewhere in the view of the steers, without them having to look away from the bow of the boat.