Fins - Side Bites

The fins that come with our boards are perfect for using them properly. But knowing that 50% of a board's performance comes from the fins, you'll definitely want to adjust the fin setup to your size, style, preferences, or simply to try something new...

Some fins favor speed, others improve turns, some boost acceleration, while others enhance nose hold, etc. There are detailed descriptions on their product pages.

It is now possible to equip your board with an FCS II center fin, so you don't need tools to attach your fin. This is a significant time saver and eliminates the risk of missing a session if you forget a tool. Another advantage is that you can adjust the setup in the water during the session, allowing you to test different configurations.

To choose the most suitable fin, it’s important to understand how each parameter, which shapes the fin, will influence the behavior of your board.

RAKE

• The rake refers to the rear curve of the fin. It’s the distance between the end of the base and the tip of the trailing edge of the fin (the ear). The greater the rake, the closer the fin tip will be to the tail of your board. This is ideal for experienced and powerful surfers who want to make long, sweeping turns, with maximum grip and drive. Drive refers to the ability to hold a trajectory while maintaining speed. A fin with a wider base will help maintain speed, while a fin with a shorter base will offer less of it. This type of fin is recommended for more powerful waves.
  On the other hand, less rake (a straighter fin) means more pivot. Pivot refers to the ability to make tighter turns. This is ideal for tighter turns, so it’s perfect for waves that lack power.
  Imagine you’re at the helm of a catamaran with the rudders down—this will allow tight turns, requiring little pressure to steer. But lift the rudders at a 45° angle, and it’ll be much harder to make tight turns, requiring much more power.

BASE

• The base is the lower part of the fin, the part in contact with the board. A longer base offers more control and wider turns. It’s ideal in powerful waves where you want more grip and stability in your turns and trajectories.
  A shorter base offers more pivot, enabling tighter turns and freeing the tail. You’d choose this type of fin in slow waves where maneuverability is more important than control. The longer the base, the more control and wider turns the fin will give you. The shorter the base, the more pivot, maximum speed, and tight turns it will provide.

DEPTH

• The depth is the height between the base and the tip of your fin. The deeper it is, the more stability and grip you’ll get, especially in powerful waves.
  A shallow fin will have less drag in the water, providing more speed. This allows the tail of your board to move more freely. Such fins are recommended in smaller conditions.

SURFACE

• Surface area: A fin with a larger surface provides more control. This type of fin is recommended for beginners as it offers more stability. A fin with a smaller surface allows more freedom under the back foot, making the board more playful.
  Surface distribution: In hollow/fast conditions, you’d typically choose fins with a thin head and less surface at the top, reducing drag and allowing for more responsive curves. In slow-moving conditions, you’d opt for a fin with more surface at the top to enhance maneuverability.

FLEX

• The flex of a fin determines its ability to bend and return to its original shape. A fin with flex offers softer support and is more forgiving of mistakes, making it more forgiving. On the other hand, a fin with little flex, therefore more rigid, will provide more control, responsiveness, and power. It’s suited for more experienced surfers because these fins require precision in your trajectory. The deeper and thinner the fin at the tip, the more likely it is to have flex.