Gaining a competitive advantage through data
From surfing to motorsports, data science is changing the field of play
In the dynamic world of sports, where precision and predictive insights can make the difference between victory and defeat, innovative partnerships are reshaping how athletes and teams prepare and perform.
The UNSW Data Science Hub (uDASH) at UNSW Sydney partners with various sporting organisations to improve athlete and team performance—using cutting-edge data science.
A collaboration with tech startup Biomedical Performance Technologies (BPT) aims to revolutionise motorsport.
The company’s flagship initiative, Race Intel, fuses human performance metrics with machine data analytics. This gives motorsport teams unprecedented insights into the synergy between driver, car and team dynamics.
Dr Lee Walsh, Chief Technology Officer at BPT, says the partnership with uDASH has real impact.
"Race Intel brings together the performance of the driver, the car and the team,” Dr Walsh says.
Meanwhile, across another frontier of sport, uDASH is helping Surfing Australia redefine competitive surfing with AI-driven advancements in wave prediction. This is significant now that surfing is an Olympic sport.
The uniqueness of surfing is anchored in the variability of the competitive domain. With constantly and rapidly changing oceanic conditions, wave selection is of the utmost importance—and so the ability to predict wave riding opportunities provides athletes and coaches with a significant competitive advantage.
“Our innovation aims not only to improve the accuracy of general wave predictions but also to forecast specific wave-riding opportunities during Olympic heats,” says Jono Sebban, who is driving this research as a uDASH Masters student.
These partnerships are leading to new methods and insights that can be applied by competitors and teams to boost their chances of winning.
“If you’re not making the best use of your data then you are at a performance disadvantage, because you can be sure that your opponents are doing everything they can in this regard.”—Prof. Scott Sisson
Applying AI and machine learning methods to wave prediction can give surfers a competitive edge. Photo composition: Anna Blacka
Challenges & opportunities
Sports collaborations with data science aren’t just about incremental gains—they aim to elevate performance to championship levels.
“We’re excited by the performance improvements this partnership will enable for motorsport athletes and teams,” Dr Walsh said.
“Through quality data, industry-based learnings and well-informed analysis, Race Intel can help win championships.”
But what does data analysis look like on the water?
“Traditional forecasts often fall short in accurately predicting local wave conditions crucial for competitive success,” says UNSW’s Dr Mitchell Harley, who is an expert on oceanography and coastal hazards.
The project enhances existing wave forecasting models by applying machine-learning bias correction techniques.
Surf breaks are often home to seasoned veterans who know exactly how and when the best waves will arrive—just from looking at the general condition forecast.
“We aim to train an AI model to replicate the nuanced local knowledge of seasoned surfers,” Mr Sebban says.
“This includes identifying wave ‘pockets’ and assessing metrics of wave quality to predict rideability.”
The approach helps bridge the gap between offshore wave data and inshore wave dynamics.
“We can provide Surfing Australia with a more informed understanding of expected wave conditions at specific surf locations—and help boost the opportunities for our national athletes,” says Professor Scott Sisson, Director of uDASH from the UNSW School of Maths and Statistics.
“When the surf conditions are constantly changing, you can certainly gain a leg up by having additional intel on what conditions might be on the horizon within a competition heat.”—Dr Mitchell Harley
Future focused
These sporting initiatives underscore a broader trend where sports and technology converge for game-changing innovations.
Whether in motorsport or surfing, the application of sophisticated analytics and AI-driven insights is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. It can ensure athletes and teams are equipped with the best tools available to help them perform at their peak, regardless of the challenges posed by nature or competition.
“As these collaborations continue to evolve, they promise not only to enhance sporting performance but also to inspire new standards of excellence and achievement across the global sporting landscape,” Prof. Sisson says.
