Apple Watch Installation - Windsurfer Tracker

The Windsurfer Tracker Apple Watch app comes bundled with the iPhone app. Install Windsurfer Tracker from the App Store on your iPhone, then add the watch app to your Apple Watch.

Request Assistance is not available on Apple Watch.

Due to Apple App Store restrictions, the Request Assistance feature is not included in the Apple Watch or iPhone version of the app. It remains available in the Android and Wear OS apps.

Event & Password Required: You will need to know which event you're tracking and the password for that event. Ask the race organisers for these details.

Step 1: Install the iPhone App

Download from the App Store

On your iPhone, install Windsurfer Tracker from the Apple App Store. The Apple Watch app is included with it.

Download on the App Store

Step 2: Install the Watch App

With Automatic App Install enabled (the default), the watch app installs on your Apple Watch automatically a few minutes after you install the iPhone app. If it doesn't appear, install it manually using the steps below.

Open the Watch App on iPhone

Open the Watch app on your iPhone (the app you use to manage your Apple Watch).

Find Windsurfer Tracker

In the Watch app:

Go to the "My Watch" tab
Scroll down to "Available Apps"
Find "Windsurfer Tracker" in the list

Install on Watch

Tap "Install" next to Windsurfer Tracker.

The app will be transferred to your Apple Watch. This may take a minute or two.

Step 3: Configure the Watch App

Open on Apple Watch

On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown to go to the app grid, then tap the Windsurfer Tracker icon.

Configure Settings

Tap the gear icon to open Settings. Configure:

Setting	Value
Your Name	Your name or sail number (e.g., `John` or `S42`)
Role	Select `Sailor` (or Support/Spectator if applicable)
Event	Select your event from the list
Password	Enter the event password from the race organisers

Grant Permissions

When prompted, allow:

Location Access - required for tracking
Health Access - used for background tracking via workout sessions

Step 4: Start Tracking

Start Tracking

Tap the "Start" button to begin tracking. The watch will:

Start a workout session (for reliable background tracking)
Send your position every 10 seconds
Show your current speed and connection status

Testing Your Setup

Verify It's Working:

Start tracking on your watch
Open https://wstracker.org on any device
Select your event from the list
You should see your position appear on the map within a few seconds

During the Race

Keep the app running - the workout session keeps tracking active
Raise to wake - raise your wrist to see speed and status
Battery - GPS tracking uses battery; ensure your watch is charged before racing
Water resistance - Apple Watch is water resistant, but avoid pressing buttons underwater

Troubleshooting

Watch app not appearing in Watch app

Make sure:

The iPhone app is fully installed from the App Store
Your Apple Watch is paired and connected to your iPhone
Try restarting both your iPhone and Apple Watch

Position not showing on map

Check:

Location permission is enabled for the app
The event and password are correct
Your watch has GPS signal (may take a moment outdoors)
Your watch has a network connection (WiFi or cellular, or via iPhone)

Tracking stops when screen turns off

This shouldn't happen if:

The workout session is active (shown by the green workout indicator)
Health permissions were granted

If tracking stops, try ending and restarting the tracking session.

Heart rate not showing

To enable heart rate monitoring, you need to grant Health permissions on your iPhone:

Open Settings on your iPhone
Go to Privacy & Security → Health
Select Windsurfer Tracker from the list
Enable Heart Rate under "Allow to read"
Enable Workouts under "Allow to write"

Both Heart Rate and Workouts permissions are required for heart rate data to be recorded and displayed.

Health permissions settings showing Heart Rate and Workouts enabled