What fins do I use? Answer these 5 easy questions and develop your ability to pair fin sets to your local waves.
- What Type of Fin Box Does Your Board Have?
- How Much Do You Weigh?
- What Types of Waves Will You Be Surfing in?
- What’s Your Surfing Style: Fast, performance or cruising?
- How to choose?
Walking up to the extensive, stocked fin wall at your local big surf shop can be daunting. Maybe you decided to go online to avoid the anxiety/ embarrassment you face when dealing with someone trying to “SELL” but you end up scrolling endlessly through unlimited options and brands, only adding to the confusion.
Despite the potential headache, fins are worth the investment, both mental and monetarily. Fins play a “pivotal” (pun intended) role in surfing and can be the difference between a long-lasting relationship with your surfboard and one that ends up on Facebook marketplace.
The number of options out there means it’s easy to get lost in the particulars. Some surfers love nothing more than diving deep into the specifics on rake, foil and cant, (our head shaper JR comes to mind) but we’re going to keep things simple here. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to find the right fins to enjoy your surfing. By going through the following questions, you’ll be able to narrow down your fin choices and find the perfect set to pair with your surfboard and slay in the water.
The 5 Easy Questions
1. What Type of Fin Box Does Your Board Have?
The two most common types of fin boxes are Futures, and FCS II. Futures fins slide into a single slot, while FCS II fins fit into two grooves within the box. Take note of whether the surfboard is a thruster, twin, quad or single fin. Neither fin system is compatible with the other. As a board builder/ repairer I highly recommend the Futures fin system, they are stronger (when installed correctly), lighter and provide the closest feeling to glass on fins out of the two options (purely my humble opinion though). Future fins, as a business, are amazing as well, they really help out the small guys, are great communicators and are very generous. FCS on the other hand still wont/ have never replied to my emails.
2. How Much Do You Weigh?
Like surfboards, fins are designed/ scaled differently depending on a surfer’s mass or weight. By pairing your fins appropriately, you’ll eliminate most of the inappropriate options straight away. Notice I didn’t say the word “wrong”, because there is no wrong. These are guides to help because every surfer is different. However, the common thought is that heavy footed/ power surfers pushing hard through their turns can size up, and those not pushing as hard, think fast twitch, quick surfing, where the surfer seems to be skimming on top of the water, can typically select a smaller fin.
As Jake Patterson, WCT Coach to Sawyer, Lindblad, Kanoa and Ethan, (whose boards you can find at Paradisosurf.com) would suggest going a size down when surfing bigger boards (step ups or guns) as the wave providing all the speed, the board design and fins should be all about control at that point. Smaller waves, use the fin size that’s paired to your weight, based off a size chart.
FCS II Size Chart
XS: under 120lbs………..under 54kgs
S: 120 – 143bs…………..54kgs – 65kgs
M: 144 – 176lbs………….65kgs – 80kgs
L: 177 – 198lbs………….80 kgs – 90kgs
XL: 198lbs+……………...90 kgs +
Futures Size Chart
XS: 75 – 115lbs………….34kgs – 52kgs
S: 105 – 155lbs…………..47kgs – 70kgs
M: 145 – 195lbs………….65kgs – 88kgs
L: 180lbs+ ………………..80 kgs +
However, once you start accumulating multiple sets of fins, start experimenting. What I have found is that even though I’m on the larger end of the weight spectrum, sometimes I’ll choose a medium fin in bigger surf and stick to the larges in smaller, everyday stuff, and ill utilise different foils for different days as well, but that’s for another day.
I’ll use myself as an example. I am probably at an intermediate/ average skill level, especially for around here (South West of Western Australia), I weigh 90kgs and am definitely more of a heavy-footed surfer than being light on my feet. It has been my experience that in larger, more powerful waves (2 foot overhead and bigger) Ill choose a medium sized, Raked fin. My all-time favourite being the old YU’s that futures used to make. I love ‘em so much I asked the guys from Naked Viking Surf to make me a bunch of sets. You can find those Here. For smaller days (between 2 foot overhead and head high, which happens here ALOT) I'll go a large set of AM 2’s, or for head high and under I’ll use the Pivot fins by Futures and NVS, click the hyperlinks or check ‘em out in store.
3. What Types of Waves Will You Be Surfing In?
As is above, so is below… and just as surfboards are designed based off certain conditions, fins should be selected based on the waves they will be harnessing. Generally, straighter upright fins (think of the tail wings on a fighter jet) are better for quick, vertical surfing and fitting turns into a tight radius. These fins can help in fast-breaking waves where pivots and rapid transitions are needed. Conversely, fins with more rake (like the base of the fin is moving faster than the top, or like its leaning back) are better suited for drawn-out, longer turns, higher speeds. They will feel solid and make your board feel more stable while riding, leading to more predictable and even turns.
4. What’s Your Surfing Style: Fast, performance or cruising?
This question is about the material your potential new set of fins will be made out of. Surfers pushing hard through turns or riding fast, powerful waves typically will want to be riding stiff fiberglass, carbon fibre, or a blend. Alternatively, surfers opting to flow through turns or ride softer waves can ride flexible fins that free up the board and help with speed generation. The key here is to find the Goldilocks fin — something that’s not too stiff and doesn’t hinder your surfing. Borrow sets of fins off mates, or see if your local shop has demo fins.
How does “too stiff” feel? Basically, you’re not able to flex the fin and then receive the bonus of that flex, which is a burst of speed out of the turn. A fin that feels too stiff feels like it’s not flexing at all. Conversely, a fin that’s too soft, like plastic fins for most surfers, flexes and bends over, dispersing all the energy generated into the void, never really springing back effectively. If you have tried a set of carbon-reinforced fins and feel they’re a bit too stiff, try a set of the same template but with fiberglass/honeycomb construction.
5. How to choose?
Futures uses an easy-to-use performance measuring system called the Ride Number. The smaller the number, the stiffer and more rigid it feels. The larger the number, the more flex it will generate and it will feel more responsive. Numbers 7-10 are good for when the surf is soft, gutless, and has no push. 4-7 are good all-rounders, and 1-4 will offer most control. Choose depending on your desired wave, size and fin shape.
Think of it this way: In big or barrelling waves, you don’t want a fin with a high ride number because it’s too flexible/ unpredictable. You want stiff, predictable fins that can hold into the wave face and not slide out in critical sections.
The Fin-al Countdown
Once you’ve answered these questions you’ll be close to ending the beginning of a life long, never ending pursuit of matching fins to boards and conditions. You should have been able to narrow down the options, and will probably just be looking at aesthetics.
There is a lot to consider, so feel free to ask a professional surfboard shaper (always ask a local one) or expert for their recommendations, find both Here at Paradiso. Don’t be afraid to swap around fins for the sake of R&D, too. Experimenting with different sizes, construction and conditions will help grow your knowledge base and lead to a more enjoyable time in the water. There are no wrong answers, find what works for you!
