Playful Surfing

To continue exploring the design of playful water experiences, I decided to develop playful prototypes to enrich the surfing practice.

Vision

This is an ongoing project in which I aim to develop a playful surfing experience by introducing interactive technology to amplify the connection with water while surfing. I'm particularly interested in understanding how surfers experience the water connection through their bodies, especially from a women's perspective.

Surfing is a popular recreational activity that benefits from technological innovation, such as the precision manufacturing of surfboards and apps for coaching. These advances have mostly focused on improving athletic performance, while the experiential aspects of surfing remain underexplored in terms of the design mediating interactive technology. We explore how playful interactive technology design can enrich the surfing experience.

Design of playful surfing prototypes

I adopted a soma design approach, considering the simultaneous influence of technology, body, and environment on surfing practice.

I engaged in different bodily experiences related to surfing. Therefore, I started with two online sessions of Yoga-surfing and then took surfing classes, two sessions in a local wave pool and two sessions on the local beach. I also aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the activity from surfing books, podcasts, documentaries, and informal conversations with surfers. I engaged in material explorations and prototyping, testing actuators and sensors in water such as vibromotors, pressure sensors, and LEDs.

Our soma design process resulted in two design concepts that we started prototyping: A wearable top and a soft robot, aiming to communicate ocean information (i.e, depth, wave rate, wind speed) to surfers in embodied ways (i.e., haptic stimuli).

Seeking participants for study

We are looking for people to participate in a study evaluating these prototypes, aiming to enrich the surfing experience with interactive technology. This initial evaluation involves testing the prototypes in Monash Pool and simulating multiple surfing situations. To participate, you need to have at least two years of surfing experience and will need to dedicate 2 hours of your time. We will provide the surfboard and you will be rewarded with 50AUD gift card to be used in Urban Surf.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE EMAIL MARIA.MONTOYAVEGA@MONASH.EDU

To know more about us , please visit our Lab's website: Exertion Games Lab

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