By Greg Bartlett

As GPS technology becomes more and more advanced, people are finding new ways to incorporate these tracking devices into their everyday lives. Using GPS tracking devices in a variety of personal ways has never been easier because there are so many different kinds of tracking devices available.

One relatively new use for GPS tracking devices is the monitoring of a race or journey. Recently, a Californian traveled to Europe to swim across the English Channel, tracking the entire 13 hour swim with his GPS. Fifty-two year old Mark Stone had been training for this swim for two years. When he finally began the 21 mile course from England to France through those choppy waters, he wanted more support than that of his coach and his wife who were beside him in a boat throughout the race. Using a GPS tracking device on the boat, his coach and wife were able to post reports to Twitter and Facebook, giving their exact location as well as the current swimming conditions and Stone’s mood and energy level.

Thanks to GPS tracking devices, one man’s marathon swim across the English Channel can be supported by all of his friends and family around the globe as they receive consistent updates about the swim and what Mark Stone was experiencing. The tracking device also gives Stone an electronic record of his swim, which can be very helpful if he ever decides to swim the English Channel again and also for future swimmers.