Wrist mount
Also known as: hand strap, wrist strap mount, the strap
A strap that holds an action camera on the wrist, back of the hand or forearm, popular for surfing, swimming and climbing POV shots.
Updated
What it means
A wrist mount wraps around the wrist or hand and holds the camera on the inside or outside of the arm. You aim it simply by pointing your hand. Surfers use it to film themselves in the barrel or while paddling, swimmers and snorkelers to film reefs, and climbers for close views of holds and moves.
It sits between a selfie stick and a fixed body mount. You keep both hands free for paddling or climbing, but you can still point the camera at yourself or at the action in front of you.
Many versions rotate 360 degrees, so the camera can face you or face forward.
How it works in practice
For surfing, mount the camera on the back of the leading hand and point it toward your face or the wave as you ride. For climbing, a forearm mount shows hands and feet on the rock. For swimming and snorkeling, an outward-facing wrist mount follows where your hand points.
Tighten the strap so it does not slide, but not so tight that it cuts circulation. Add a tether to the strap in water, since a camera knocked off in surf sinks or washes away quickly.
Stabilization helps a lot, because the arm moves constantly.
What to watch out for
Arms move constantly, so footage can be shaky and disorienting even with stabilization. Short, intentional clips usually work better than recording everything, and they leave far less to sort through after the session.
The camera is exposed to knocks against rock, boards and reef. A protective frame and a lens protector help, and so does keeping the camera on the inside of the wrist when you paddle or grab a hold.
Water drops on the lens are common when the hand moves through water. A clean, hydrophobic lens cover and a quick shake before the shot reduce droplets. Check straps and buckles regularly, since salt water and sun wear them out faster than you might expect.
How RawClip handles it
Wrist-mounted clips add a personal angle to surf and swim sessions. Upload them with your board and beach footage, and RawClip cuts the best waves and moments into one highlight.