Gear

Freedom of Beach

The Only Apps You’ll Need This Summer

Good news: beach season starts this weekend. Bad news: you have no idea where to play sand volleyball in jean shorts. Or where to find the biggest swell for getting all Johnny Utah on a longboard. Hell, you don’t even know what magnetic declination is as it pertains to out-bonfiring everyone else on the beach. The point is this...

VOLLEY ROGER

Like a GPS for Sand Volleyball

What: An app that tells you where to find the nearest sand volleyball courts, complete with court availability.
Why: You never know when a certain Kenny Loggins number will come on the radio and remind you that you’re long overdue for playing with the boys. As in volleyball. Like in Top Gun. That skewed awkward...

FIGURE OF BEACH

If Beaches Could Talk

What: Speaking of finding amazing sand-related things, this app will automatically ping you when you drive within a few miles of a beach and then send you real-time pics from people who are already there.
Why: It’s like having a crack team of Jimmy Buffetts in your pocket. In case you’ve ever wanted... that.

PAPA SURF

If Kelly Slater Invented Facebook

What: Think Facebook for surfing—there’s a live feed of surf reports, places to post and comment on pictures, and the ability to check in at a beach so your friends can track you down.
Why: Social networking needs more words like “twinzer” and “fakie.”

TIDE AND TRUE

Foreign Relations: Surfing Edition

What: An app that virtually patrols the international waters of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico and relays tide info, water temperatures and the best surf breaks back to you.
Why: Optimal skinny-body-surfing conditions are at low tide in 72-degree waters with a 5.2-foot swell. So... here’s this thing to help you out with that.

MOONLIGHTING

Stalking the Hell Out of the Sun

What: A ridiculously scientific app that tells you precisely what the sun and moon are up to at all hours. Yes, augmented reality and a 3D compass are involved.
Why: Bonfires. BBQs. Building sand yurts. You’ll need to know the optimal times to make that stuff happen. This is for that.