A set of fins will not drastically change your surfing skill level, but the right set of fins on the right board will help you to surf waves to the best of your ability. The choices are almost endless and, like fin design itself, the best method is trial and error.

Our advice? Swap out your fins regularly and see how it works for you. If you want to try something completely different as an experiment in smaller surf try riding your thruster with just the side fins, or with just the centre fin - it’s not going to give you a edge at catching waves at the lineup, but it will give you an idea of just what a difference the three little bits of fibreglass on the back of the board can make.

• Sweep : The angle measured between the vertical line from the mid-point on the base and the line which connects the mid-point of the base to the highest point on thefin. (It’s how much the fin is curved backwards!) The more the sweep, the longer the turning arc … the less sweep, the more pivotal the board will respond.
• Depth: The distance the fin penetrates into the water. It affects the HOLD and CONTROL the fin has during turns. The shorter the depth, the more slide a board will have (turning ability) … the longer the depth, the more hold especially with center fins!
• Base: The length of the fin where it meets the board. Base primarily affects the amount of DRIVE a board has! The more base, the greater area the fin has to push against the water and get MORE DRIVE. A smaller base results in less drive but a shorter (and quicker) turning arc.

To understandmore about how fins work, you need some basic terminology. The diagram below illustrates the terms used to describe the difference from fin to fin and how these may affect your ride:

• FLEX: The amount a fin flexes from the straight position. Fins with little flex are more responsive and will have more speed and direct drive. Fins with flex are more forgiving and easier to use. Ideally a fin would have a stiffer base for drive and more flexible tip for release
• CANT :The angle of the fin leaning out from the bottom surface of the board.
• FOIL: The hydrodynamic section of the fin from front edge to trailing edge. The foil effects the lift and drag properties of the fin.
• TOE: The angle of the fins in relation to the stringer of the board.

For those of you interested in trying out the latest FCS technology available to surfers … Aloha Boardshop has an extra large fin selection, with over 200 fins readily available and in stock!

Future, FCS, True Ames, Red-X, Proteck, & Island Fin Design … from your short board fins to the classic long board fins… we’ve got ‘em all!

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