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# Ocean-Assessing Surfboards
The 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin Analyzes the Sea During Sessions

By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2015-12-26 | Eco
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surfboard-fin
References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/smartfin/41065/) & [smartfin.org](http://smartfin.org/)

As word about the dire state of the world's oceans reaches peoples worldwide, the 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin is an initiative to help identify problems and monitor the health of the sea in an innovative way.

Affixing onto the gear of volunteers, the 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin works to measure salinity, pH level and even water temperature to help researchers keep track of what's going on in a specific region where [autonomous drones or buoys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-buoy) might not offer the best readings.

Created by Dr. Andrew Stern, who is an ex-neurologist that now has the title of executive director at the non-profit environmental group [Lost Bird](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brewdog-planet-pale), the 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin is currently undergoing tests to see if it has promise to enter the consumer market.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 1.6/10
- Popularity: 25% | Activity: 14% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America, South America, Asia

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)

## Key Themes

### Why This Trend Is Growing

- **Smart Surfboard Technology:** The 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin is an example of smart surfboard technology that analyzes the sea during sessions.
- **Ocean Monitoring:** The 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin demonstrates the trend of using innovative technologies to monitor and assess the health of oceans.
- **Crowdsourced Data Collection:** The 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin taps into the trend of crowdsourcing data collection by affixing onto the gear of volunteers.

### Industries Being Reshaped

- **Surfing Equipment:** The 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the surfing equipment industry by offering a new level of data analysis and insights.
- **Environmental Monitoring:** The 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin has potential applications in the environmental monitoring industry, providing a unique and accessible way to gather oceanic data.
- **Non-profit Organizations:** The 'SmartFin' Surfboard Fin could create disruptive innovation opportunities for non-profit organizations working towards marine conservation and research.

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