Tips for choosing your surfboard fins.

Types of Surf Fins and How to Choose

Surf Fins are a key element in defining the behavior of your surfboard. At SFMagazine we have created this surf fins guide so you have no doubts when buying this accessory. In this post, we give you 5 tips to choose the most appropriate surf fin for your board and surfing style.

What fin setup does my board need?

In a previous post, we gave you a basic guide on how many fins to use . In this post, we discussed the importance of this accessory. What are the fins on your surfboard used for? Surfing without fins is very difficult. Imagine doing a cutback without the tail grip of the board… it would be really difficult. The first boards of the Polynesians did not have fins. But the concern of these surfers was not to perform turns or complicated maneuvers.

Nowadays we have a wide variety of types of surf fins. Fins longboard , twin fin, single fins, quad, five fins, fcs, futures fins , FCS 2 fins and many more. These have evolved and nowadays there are many doubts when choosing the ones that best suit our surfing style.

In fact, the extensive catalog of surf fins that exists can be confusing for someone who is just starting out. That’s why the first advice we give you is to limit your search for surf fins to the type of boards you have in your quiver.

That is to say, if you have a board that only accepts 3 fins, filter your search and stick to looking for tri-fin or thruster fin models. If your board accepts both tri-fin and quad configurations and you feel like trying something new, we encourage you to buy a set of quad fins. The quad configuration is Kelly Slater’s favorite. In fact, he popularized quads.

And if you have doubts about when to use your surfboard with tri-fin or quad, take a look at our tri-fin vs quad comparison. We tell you when to use each type of fin, depending on the waves and the type of surfing you are looking for.

✔ Second Tip: Attachment System: FCS or Futures

Before buying surf fins, you must take into account the fixing system that your board has. FCS, FCS 2, or Futures. For more information about these systems, we advise you to take a look at our post «FCS or Futures?» Here we talk about the advantages and disadvantages of each of the systems.

In any case, we summarize the most important aspects of each of the systems below:

1. Fins FCS System : it is the most popular fixing system. Practically 80% of the boards sold currently in Spain have this system. You can easily identify these fins visually by the two tabs they have.
2. Fins Future System: very popular in the USA, it is the second most used fin fixing system in our country. It is very easy to visually identify a future fin. Instead of two tabs like FCS, Futures are a whole line.
3. Fins FCS II System: has been the latest to enter the market and is gaining more followers. This fixing system allows you to mount and dismount them without using any type of tool.

In the following video, there is a summary of the advantages of Futures fins versus FCS.

✔ Third advice: What type of waves are you going to surf?

This is another key question you have to ask yourself before buying one model or another.

Soft waves, fast waves with a face, beachbreaks, waves from the Mediterranean, fast tubes like those in Indonesia… Depending on the type of wave you are going to surf, we recommend different types of fins:

• For small waves, like the waves we have in summer or in the Mediterranean, it is better to choose fins with little sweep or rake angle. With this type of fins you will achieve greater stability and maneuverability on your board. And you will be able to make short turns more easily. A good set of fins for small waves are the fins Alpha by Futures Fins . If your board has the FCS 2 system we recommend the FCS 2 Performer fins . Inexpensive high performance fins from the FCS brand.

• 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 be able to go faster and make wider bottom turns. A good model of fins for this type of waves are the FCS CI Upright. In configuration Futures AM1 .

✔ Fourth tip: What surfing level am I?

If you have just started, don’t go crazy. It is very likely that you won’t notice the difference between one fin and another. Buy a cheap set of fins and go for it. But if you already have an intermediate level and feel like trying different sensations with the same board, we encourage you to start trying fins made of different materials. Carbon fins are stiffer than plastic surf fins and therefore more stable.

✔ Fifth Tip: What size fins do you need?

To correctly choose the surfboard fins, your weight is essential. Like wetsuits , fins are also classified by sizes . Manufacturers assign a weight range to each of the sizes. The sizes are: XS, S, M, ML, L, and XL. Most manufacturers indicate the rider’s weight on the data sheets. .

In broad terms:

• Size XS: for children or small riders weighing up to 45 kg
• Size S: for children or small riders weighing between 45 and 60 kg
• Size M: for surfers weighing between 60 and 80 kg
• Size ML: for surfers weighing between 75 and 90 kg
• Size L: for surfers weighing between 85 and 100 kg
• Size XL: for surfers weighing over 100 kg

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SURF FINS

Our friends at Single Quiver had interviewed Joseba Berasategui and asked him the most common questions you have before buying a set of fins. Especially questions about Single fins.

We encourage you to watch the complete video and find out from Joseba Berasategui, what aspects you should focus on before choosing your fins. Do the terms: Drive, pivot, hold and rake sound familiar to you? Have you just bought a longboard and don’t know which Single fin to buy? Don’t miss this expert fin tutorial.

They also re-open with him, the Futures vs FCS debate . I’m sure you will find it interesting and learn a lot of things.

Which surf fins to buy

Here we summarize the common questions you usually ask before buying the fins for your surfboard.

1. How many types of surf fins are there?

Single Fin, Twin Fin, thruster, quad, five fins or even six fins. It is no coincidence that there are so many options. Depending on the surfing style you are looking for, you should opt for one configuration or another. In our post Tri fin vs quad we tell you when you should use one system or the other. Always taking into account the type of wave you are going to surf.

2. How to attach the fins to your surfboard?

Before attaching the fins to your surfboard, there are a series of things you must take into account in order not to damage it. Be especially careful not to over tighten the screws. The fins must be securely fastened so they don’t get lost, but if you turn the screw too much, you may strip it and then you won’t be able to remove them.

Another important aspect when attaching the surf fins to your board is to make sure that the fins are different. If you are going to put a set of tri fins on your board, make sure you place the fins with the flat sides on the sides . And the keel with the two sides curved in the middle. This will be the central keel.

3. How to remove surf fins?

Removing the fins from your board is very simple. It is true that for comfort and time saving, it is an operation that is not usually carried out daily. But if you have to travel with your board by plane, we recommend removing the fins from the board beforehand. In addition to the board being more protected, it will take up less space.

• To remove FCS fins from your surfboard you need an Allen key. This type of keys come included in all sets of fins. Insert the key into the screw and turn it until the screws are loose enough to allow you to pull the fin upwards and remove it easily. It is important to always pull upwards, without levering. It is a very common mistake that can damage the box.
• To remove FCS 2 fins it is almost worth making a tutorial. The FC2 2 system has its own way of doing it properly without damaging the plugs. Visit our post «how to put on and take off FCS2 fins step by step» .

For both Futures and FCS 2 fin systems, we recommend using the Fin Puller. An accessory, nominated this year by SIMA as the best surf accessory of 2020. Thanks to this device, you can easily remove the surf fins from your board, without fear of damaging the boxes.

4. Which system is better: FCS, Futures or FCSII?

A controversial issue. We do not have preferences for one brand or the other. In fact, we are sure that the average surfer will not notice a difference between the two fin systems. For more information on this topic, we recommend you take a look at our article FCS vs Futures. Where we talk more in depth about the advantages and disadvantages of each of the systems.

If you ultimately choose FCS 2, we recommend you take a look at our guide to choosing FCS brand fins . We explain the different families (performance, carver, reactor) and talk about the different materials used by the leading American brand in surf accessories.

5. What are surf fins made of?

Fins can be made of plastic, carbon, fiber or a combination of both. Each material has its mechanical characteristic. In the ultimate surf fins guide video, Joseba from Deflow explains it very well.

The FCS brand has up to 10 different fin manufacturing materials. In our FCS guide we explain the differences.

6. When to use thruster fins?

The Thruster is perfect for those super peaky days. Where the peaks are excellent, whether in small waves or in hollow days that are in the low line. The Thruster gives you a controlled surf that is useful when you want to surf at a higher level with good quality waves.

7. When to use quad fins?

On the smaller, weaker days, having a Quad with the rear fins closer to the rail and a little higher up really speeds up the board. Something that allows you to perform quick maneuvers, slide the tail easily, and generate much more speed through the wave faces, as there is no resistance from a center fin.

If you have a board with a quad setup and have opted for the futures system, we recommend the new Rob Machado Seaside Bamboo fins . An improved and lighter version than its predecessor Machado Seaside Quad .

Recommended reading: Thruster vs quad

8. Buying Twin Fin fins

If you have just purchased a twin fin and are unsure which fin model to buy, we recommend you take a look at our Twin fin buying guide . In this post, we recommend the best twin fin models.

9. Where to Buy surf fins

Currently, there are plenty of stores where you can buy surf fins. From Amazon to Decathlon, they offer fins in their catalog. If you are looking for price, take a look at our surf fin outlet. The best brands, the best materials and the best advice.

Our friends at Single Quiver will offer you a wide catalog of surfboards. From cheap fins to the fins of pro surfers Rob Machado , Mick Fanning   or Asher Pacey. In the tab of each one of them we indicate the recommended weight and the technical characteristics.

If after this post you still have doubts about how to choose the fins for your surfboard, don’t miss this video tutorial on ‘How to choose your surf fins’. They give you several tips:

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