Organisers wanted to enhance the the world’s longest surfboat marathon for spectators and improve safety on long legs.

“We can see where anyone is at any time,” organiser Andrew Edmunds said.

“They (GPS trackers) have a distress function if someone is in danger. It improves safety, particularly on the longer legs.” 

The race website is currently being upgraded and supporters will receive live updates from the race.

“In years gone by, you would only see where they (competitors) were at the start and finish of the race,” Edmunds said.

“We brought (GPS) in to make the event a bit more of a spectacle.”