Leaderboard Site

So you may have seen me posting on instagram about a leaderboard site (https://race.downwind.app/) that my buddy Sibren built. Originally it started as a leaderboard for a part of a local run for a bit of fun, but Sibren quickly realised that this leaderboard was scaleable and we started adding more runs globally (first through our network, and now by promoting it more on social media). This blog post aims to go through some of the ‘basics’ about the leaderboard – but in general we hope that it drives community engagement in all the various DW locations, a bit of friendly rivalry and can possibly even end up as a tool for local events or challenges.

So, how does it work?

Simply put, users anywhere can create a course by uploading their GPX files and drawing a start and a finish gate on the map using the ‘suggest run’ option at the bottom of the home page. Once the run is approved, anyone (after creating an account) can then upload their GPX files to the run which then populates the leaderboard. The leaderboard itself can be filtered /ordered on whichever aspect you want, just by clicking the column header. So if you want to filter on who did the fastest km, just click on the ‘fastest km’ header, for most extra distance foiled, click on the ‘extra distance’ header.

So how to make a run and where to place the gates?

When suggesting a run, you are required to upload at least 1 GPX file (though uploading more, if you get GPX files from your buddies, can help you be sure to set the gates right). This then plots the course on the map and helps you decide where to draw the gates (click to place the 2 start buoys and 2 finish buoys, you can move these around). We recommend putting the start gate a decent bit downwind to give as many people a chance of having a flying start for the section (not everyone pops up first thing at the start). Finish gates can be closer to the finish. Ensure they are also wide enough, especially if the section of the run is one that overlaps with / or is part of another run. That way you can have it as a common section. It is worth noting – the GPX file you upload to create the course does not automatically go onto the leaderboard. This is because you may have used someone else’s GPX to create the course. So once the course is approved – you will have to upload your file to feature on the leaderboard.

How do I get a GPX file?

So Garmin and Strava are a pain since they don’t have the option to download your GPX file on the mobile apps meaning you have to go to their web versions and download the GPX files there (Garmin help and Strava help). I’m not familiar with Suunto devices but according to their site you can export GPX files from their app. Waterspeed is also straightforward and allows you to export a GPX file both in the app (via the ‘share’ options) or web version.

How do I upload my GPX?

Once you’ve made an account, you can then open whichever run you want to upload a file to. In the menu you’ll then see the option to ‘Upload a run (gpx)’ which then lets you fill in your board and foil along with uploading the gpx file. It’s important that the file has a .gpx at the end, so if you renamed your file, make sure you didn’t delete it by accident.

So what next?

We’d love to see more people uploading runs and to see how this leaderboard can add value to the downwind community with a bit of friendly competition and banter (there are some notable run’s that have very few submissions which would be awesome to get populated). Having said that, we’d love to get feedback and suggestions as to what you feel is missing or how we can make it better!

We’re working on some ideas to have the ability to organize local events using the site and with that comes the opportunity for local promoters / businesses to sponsor runs and increase their online engagements. We’d love for this to be with local shops who maybe want to put up prizes for challenges, but really it’s open to anyone who’d like the added exposure and to support the downwinding community. So please, upload runs and grow the stoke in your local crew. As always, for any questions feel free to reach out via instagram or email!