How to Choose Surf Fins

Don’t let the size of your surfboard fins fool you! They may be small compared to your board, but they give you direction, stability and control for your ride. You want to make sure you have them set up properly so you can enjoy your board to the fullest.

If you have removable fins on your board, make sure you are using the right type of fins. You are almost definitely going to have either FCS fin boxes or Futures fin boxes on your board. Check with us if you are unsure what type of fin box your board has.

Larger fins will provide you more control and smaller fins will make your board more maneuverable. The more fins and the deeper they are, the more drag they create. A board will get faster for the rider with fewer fins and shorter ones. The sacrifice is in control. The board becomes looser and skatier with short fins. if you want to put bigger ones on your board, you need to understand how to use them. You can do more with longer fins but it takes experience to understand that. Beginners are generally more successful with a single fin, if the board allows, about 2 inches deep.

Your board can come with several different fin box configurations, with anywhere from one to five fin boxes. If a board has a single fin, it will be best for fast, straight shot surfing. Twin boards will be more playful and skatier. Three boxes are most common, and this thruster or tri setup will give you stability, control and maneuverability. You will also see boards with four and even five fin boxes, allowing for versatile setups depending on ability and conditions. Remember, however, that just because your board has three or even five fin boxes you don’t need to fill them all. Your board will change its feel and character by changing both the size of the fins and the placement. You can make your board feel like two completely different boards just by moving and changing out fins. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

As you progress in your riding, you will want to pay attention to rake, base, depth, foil, cant, toe and flex in your fin selection. Some riders believe that fins are almost as important as your board in making your surfing sessions most enjoyable for you. So, if you want to take your surfing to the next level, stop in and talk to the experts at Sun Sports+ and we can help guide you to the perfect fin for your board.