Surfboard Fin Guide: Everything you need to know

 Surfboard Fins- Surf Board Fins

Electric Motorized Fin for any Board Electric Surfboard Fin How to Choose Surf Fins: Fin Setup and Types Surfboard Fin Guide: Everything you need to know WHAT ARE SURFBOARD FINS? Surfboard fins are either fibreglass, plastic or carbon fibre accessories that attach to the bottom of your surfboard to help the board change direction - much like a rudder on a boat. Surfboard fins come in all shapes and sizes and massively affect the way you're able to surf a wave. WHAT DO SURFBOARD FINS ACTUALLY DO? Fins are attached to a surfboard to give the surfboard control and to allow the surfer to pivot and change direction on a wave. The extent to which they do so will depend on the following: The type of fin set-up. Fin shape, size & construction. The type of waves. A surfers ability. Put simply, fins are designed to give a surfer drive, the ability to change direction and control. SURFBOARD FIN SETUPS Below is a breakdown of the most common surfboard fin set-ups. TYPES OF SURFBOARD FIN SETUPS In modern surfing, there are literally endless combinations of fin set ups. Walking down the beach on any given day you’ll see surfers riding boards with no fins at all, to five-fin bonza's. Why? Well, all those surfers - with their different fin setups - are chasing slightly different feelings when riding a wave. different types of fin set-ups: SINGLE FIN: ONE FIN [CENTRALLY ALIGNED ALONG THE SURFBOARD STRINGER] A single fin set up is the most traditional surfboard fins type. Single fins are typically found on beginner boards, longboards and mid lengths. With a singular fin, turning ability is limited. However they offer control, stability and predictability, making them perfect for beginner surfers or surfers that enjoy riding fast in a straight line. TWIN FIN: TWO FINS [ONE FIN EITHER SIDE OF THE STRINGER] Twin-Fin refers to a surfboard with two fins. The ‘Twinny’ is built for speed - perfect for fun, crappy, weak waves. Typically found on shorter surfboards designed for small waves, generally unsuitable to larger surf. THRUSTER: THREE FINS [TWO SIDE FINS, ONE CENTRAL FIN] In modern surfing, the Thruster is the fin set-up type of choice. THE ELEMENTS OF A FIN The elements of a fin impact the way it performs - with small adjustments in size, shape and contours completely changing the way a surfboard will feel. Now, as far as surfboard design and construction goes, the micro-elements of a fin can get super techy at times, and is far from essential knowledge. Nonetheless it's kinda handy to know, and actually pretty interesting. RAKE Designed for performance surfing, allowing a surfer to ride with speed and perform radical manoeuvres whilst maintaining control throughout. The modern Thruster is the most common fin set-up type of the bunch. QUAD: FOUR FINS [TWO FINS EACH SIDE OF THE SURFBOARD STRINGER] The Quad (aka four fin setup) is used for creating speed whilst maintaining control over your board. Advanced surfers performing turns on a Quad get the benefit of increased speed, power and drive through turns. Rake refers to the length of the front edge of the fin. Put another way, it's how far back the fin curves from the base to tip. Fins with a small rake are great for speed and predictability. Whereas fins with a large rake will be better for short, fast tight turns. SPLAY Splay refers to a surfboard's outer fins only - referencing the angle in which they stick out in comparison to the board's stringer. Most surfboards (typically those made for performance surfing) are more splayed out, as it allows a surfer to ride with more ‘responsiveness’ due to the increase in water pressure along the outside fins. BASE LENGTH The base length refers to (you guessed it) the length of a fin is at its base. Fin's with a longer base length will give you more speed and predictability. Fins with a shorter base allow for increased manoeuvrability, resulting in sharper, tighter turns. HOW TO CHOOSE SURFBOARD FINS Now we know the fundamental elements of surfboard fins, let’s take a closer look at what you need to consider when choosing your next set of fins. ABILITY Enter yourAs with most things in surfing, your ability will effect your equipment choices. For example; the waves you like, how often you surf, your surfboard type and how you choose to ride a wave. Fins are no different. It's important to choose fins that are suited to your ability that allow you to ride in the way you want. For example a large, stiff single fin on a longboard is going to be suitable if you're a beginner. Whereas for an advanced surfer, a thruster set up with small, flexible fins would be more appropriate. SIZE Another factor to consider when choosing fins is your size. Your height and weight is going to affect how a board performs and subsequently the fins you should choose. As a beginner surfer, you should be looking for a large stable fin set up. Put simply, the heavier and taller you are, the larger your fins should be.