Fins my dear friends, are the future. Ask any good shaper or surfer and they’ll give you the same piece of advice, when it comes to refining and tweaking the performance of a board or adapting a board to your style of surfing, it’s all about the fins. Picking the right ones for your style or level of surfing isn’t easy with the huge variety of shapes and styles available, each one with differing performance characteristics so here’s how we at Wavegames break down the key factors affecting fin performance to help point you in the right direction:

1)Base – This is simply the length of the fin where it meets the board and primarily affects the amount of drive your board has and the length of your turning arc. Measured in mm or inches, the rule of thumb with base is:

MORE = MORE DRIVE

LESS = TIGHTER TURNING ARC

2)Flex – Determined by the material used in constructing the fin, the amount of flex affects the hold and responsiveness of the board. Measured simply by 0 - 3 (very stiff – very flexy) the rule of thumb here being:

LESS = MORE SPEED AND HOLD

MORE = MORE FORGIVING RIDE

3)Depth – The distance the fin penetrates into the water, directly affecting the hold of the board. Measure again in mm or inches, our rule is:

SHORTER = LOOSER/MORE SLIDE THROUGH TURNS

LONGER = MORE HOLD (ESPECIALLY CENTRE FINS)

4)Sweep – The curve or rake of the fins outline which affects the length of the turning arc and the amount of pivot a board has. Measured in degrees:

MORE = LONGER TURNING ARC

LESS = SHORTER TURNING ARC/MORE PIVOTAL

5)Surface area – Determined by size and overall template of the fin, the amount of surface area is another factor affects the drive and hold of the board. Measured in inches or mm squared, you will find;

LARGER AREA = MORE HOLD AND DRIVE (ESP. THROUGH TURNS)

SMALLER = LOOSER

6)Foil – The section of the fin from front edge to trailing edge which determines the lift and drag properties of the fin which can contribute to the drive and turning capabilities of a fin. Here’s how they tend to work:

FLAT SIDED FOIL = STANDARD ON MOST SIDE FINS WHICH PROVIDES TRADITIONAL FEEL

50/50 FOIL = USED ON ALL CENTER FINS FOR EVEN WATER FLOW

INSIDE FOIL = TIGHTER TURNING ARC WITHOUT LOOSING DRIVE

70/30 OR 80/20 FOILS = ADDED DRIVE AND TRANSITION THRU TURNS

One final tip is to use FCS's handy size range so you know you’re getting a fin template and size designed to give a surfer in your weight range the perfect amount of drive and hold without adversely affecting the pivot.

Xs = 120lbs/8.5 stone or under

S = 120-155lbs/8.5-11 stone

M = 140-175lbs/10-12.5 stone

L = 165-200lbs/11.5-14 stone

Xl = 190lbs/13.5

If it’s all too much, don’t be afraid to give us a call or an email and we’ll give you all the help we can.