I have started to test the new Suunto Ambit with integrated GPS and heart rate monitoring. My primary use will be when I am paddling my surfski or my kayak. Besides that I will use the Suunto Ambit when I’m running, mountainbiking and hiking.
I have been using a Polar RS100 prior to the Suunto Ambit. It is a basic heart rate watch. The Polar RS100 have I combined with the Runkeeper application on my iPhone to evaluate my training. It is a little bit time consuming to compare the results. On my wish list was a waterproof watch with both integrated GPS and heart rate monitor that isn’t to big and ugly. Lets find out if the Suunto Ambit can do the work. A full review of the Suunto Ambit will follow later on.
I have used the watch for a couple of days. Last sunday I was planning for a shorter surfski trip, about 10km, to evalutae my traning with the Suunto Ambit. When I was about to launch my surfski I got company from Johan Linder who wanted a longer trip. We headed south to Valö with winds from the west. With winds from our right side we also got some balance training. The trip back to the kayak club became really hard because of the wind that swung almost to a headwind from north. Altogheter we paddled for 26,5 km and with an average speed of 9 km/h: Top speed was 18 km/h in the wake from a ferry.
The Suunto Ambit is neat. I have connected it to the foot strap for better ability to follow my progress during paddling.
Johan Linder is paddling his Zedtech Griffin in a very colorful hat. i’m struggling to keep up with him. He is planning to do the 24 hour paddling race in Malmö next weekend. Last year he finished in third place. He paddled approx 165 km in 24 hours.
My speed during the trip to Valö. You can notice the difference when we paddled protected from the wind and hardly no waves. From 20 – 25 min and 28 – 45 min we have an increase in speed when paddle with protection. From 60 min to 75 min the wind turns a little bit and we have it slightly from behind. About 10 km / hour with lower pulse rate.
It will be easier to evalutate speed in different surfskis and kayaks with the same workload.
We paddled to Valö south of Göteborg.
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