How to choose the right surfboard fins

Everything you need to know before buying surf fins for your board

Fins are a key element in defining the behavior of your surfboard. In a previous post, we gave you a basic guide on how many fins to use . Well, today we are going to talk to you about how to choose the right fin for your board and improve your surfing. Why use fins? Surfing without them is very complicated. Imagine doing a cutback without the tail grip of the board… it would be really difficult. The first surfboards of the Polynesians did not have fins. But the concern of these surfers was not about making turns or complicated maneuvers.

How many models of fins are there?

Currently, we have a wide variety of models. Longboard fins, twin fin, single fin, quad, FCS fins, Futures fins, and many more. These have been evolving and nowadays there are many doubts when choosing the best fins for our board. In fact, the wide catalog that exists can be confusing for someone who is starting out.

Next, we will try to explain the different variables that influence the behavior of your board. If after reading our guide you still have doubts, be sure to visit the surf fin recommender. A recommender that we have created to make your job easier.

Key Features

There are three key features to consider when choosing:

Shape or Template. The template of the fin is defined by the inclination, length in height, and the width of the base. 3 basic data that all manufacturers will provide you with.

Profile or Foil. The foil is simply the shape of the inner face of the side fins.

Flex. Their flexibility depends mainly on two factors.

Their shape and the material they are made of. What do I need to look for when buying fins for my surfboard?

Here we are going to talk about 3 factors. The drive, the pivot, and the hold.

1.- The Drive.

It is the acceleration capacity of the fins and the ability to maintain speed after making a turn. The drive of the fins depends on 3 factors:

• The width of the base
• The total surface area
• The material used to make them

In general terms, the more base and greater surface area the fin has, the more drive it will generate and therefore the greater acceleration capacity you will have after making a turn.

2.- The Pivot.

The pivot is the ability of the fins to make short turns. It is determined by the angle it forms. The more angle, that is, the more tilted the shape of the fin is, the more pivot it will have.

• Little Pivot is ideal for small waves and for making short turns.

• A lot of Pivot. Ideal for fast waves and long walls. This type of fins will allow you to make a wider bottom turn.

3.- The Hold.

The hold, which literally translates to grip, is another key aspect of a fin.

• More hold means more grip.
• Less hold means easier to slide the tail of the board.

How do I choose my surf fins? Now that we have seen the theory, let’s move on to practice.

We will ask you 4 very easy questions:

1. How much do you weigh?
2. What type of board do you have?
3. What type of waves are you going to surf?
4. What is your level?

1. How much do you weigh?

To choose the right fins, your weight is crucial. Like wetsuits, fins are classified by sizes. Manufacturers assign a weight range to each size.

2. What type of board do you have?

Since they are a complement to your surfboard, it would be ideal to first have the board and then choose the most suitable ones. There are several attachment systems and different configurations of surfboard fins that you should take into account.

1. FCS Fin System : is the most popular attachment system. Practically 80% of the surfboards currently sold in Spain have this system.
2. Future Fin System: very popular in the USA is the second most used fin attachment system in our country.
3. FCS II Fin System : has been the latest to arrive on the market and is gaining more followers. This attachment system allows you to mount and dismount fins without the need for any tools.

Of the different fin configurations we talk about in our article ‘How many fins to use’ that you can read here.

Soon we will talk about the pros and cons of each of these systems.

3. What type of waves are you going to surf?

Another important question is the use you will give to your board. You should ask yourself, what kind of waves am I going to surf? Mushy waves, fast waves with wall, beachbreaks, Mediterranean waves, fast tubes like the ones in Indonesia…

• For small waves, like the waves we have in summer or in the Mediterranean, it’s better to choose fins with a low sweep angle. With this type of fins, you will achieve greater stability and maneuverability on your board. And you will be able to make shorter turns more easily.
• For more vertical and fast waves , the more laid back the fin and therefore the more sweep angle it has, the better. With this type of fins, you will go faster and make broader bottom turns.

4. What is your level?

If you are just starting out, don’t go crazy. It’s very likely that you won’t notice the difference between one fin and another. If you are already at an intermediate level and want to try different sensations with the same board, we encourage you to start trying fins made of different materials. Carbon fins are stiffer than plastic fins and therefore more stable.

Conclusion

We hope we have helped you as much as possible. If you still have doubts about which model can best adapt to your goals and style, send us an email and we will advise you for free.

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