Fin selection can be a very confusing, costly and frustrating process. Hopefully my guide below will demystify the process making fin choice easier and most importantly more rewarding in the water.
Get it right and your surfboard will fly through sections and carve beautifully when you lean into a turn. The right fins can make you look and feel like your surfboard is connected to your body.
Ian's got his Fins wired !!
Get it wrong and your surfboard will bog down, catch rails and turn your style into an ugly representation of surfing.
There is 2 key Fin categories we need to discuss:
1. Shortboards:
Shortboard fins, (specifically Thruster-3 and Quad-4 options), range from a budget option with plastic type fins up to more expensive fiberglass and carbon fibre options. For a Single fin surfboard use the Long board guide below.
Within the performance fin grouping there are sizes that we need to be aware of.
The FCS size guide below gives you a good indication of what size to purchase. My tip is that if you are an above average surfer and in the upper range of the category then get the next fin size up. Slightly larger fins again equals more speed and drive through turns. I’ve recently jumped to Large fins (bodyweight 74kg) and this has made a huge difference to my speed and turns which equates to more happiness. Fins also have a Flex pattern and generally speaking the more expensive fins will have less flex thus will react quickly and make your turns shaper.
The rule of thumb with Long boards is 1 inch of fin per foot of Surfboard. Thus a 9 foot Mal can have a 9 Inch fin.
There is some personal preference here but this rule general holds true for a Single Box Fin system. BUT, there are always some exceptions-
Rod dialing in the Egg's single fin.
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Rod Eagles
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