There is so much technology put into fins, that it is easy to go on tangents looking at any and all technology. On such a tangent, this video was discovered. The photographers may be stretching a bit to say the images they capture showcase the boardshort's technology, but seeing surfing in 3D is pretty amazing. It was tough to get a close look at what Mich Fanning is using now that he has signed with FCS, but you could see clearly that Matt Wilko was on K2.1 PCs.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
For the SUP'ers out there
Stand Up Paddling is burning across the map like a wild fire, and while we've spent a bit of time on them, we don't claim to be all knowing about how they handle and what works best. For this reason we turn to the experts for their advice. Our friend John Ashley runs paddlesurf.net, and between him and his following, I don't think there is a single SUP product on the market they haven't tested. I was on youtube today and came across a video of his, with Art Curtis talking about their favorite fin setup for noseriders style SUP's. These guys live and breathe SUP surfing so we take their advice seriously. Here is their review of the Futures Albacore Flex with Vector Tech Foil 3/2's on the side.
Friday, October 8, 2010
How to Select the Perfect Fin
At the Gallery we get quite a few questions from people about how to choose a fin. With multiple manufacturers making signature fins for the same pros, it can get complicated. We wrote this article and posted it in the Fin Theory section of the site to help you pick the best match for you and your board.
Whether you are looking for a single fin for your longboard, a flex fin for your hull or a set of removable fins for your performance quad, there are a few basic rules to follow when choosing fins:
A wide/long fin base will have more drive and draw out your turns
A narrow/short fin base will have less drive but be easier to turn
Deep fins will hold better on steep faces and be more stable in the white water
Short fins release easier if you are looking to slide your tail out on hard turns
Fins with more rake (sweeps further back) will draw out your turns and capitalize better on the flex patterns of the fins
Fins with upright postures will be more responsive in weak, slow surf.
Smaller fins are looser and more forgiving but offer less hold and drive
Larger fins offer more hold and control in big surf, but will track in smaller waves.
While those concepts can be applied universally to almost all fin configurations, here are some tips for specific fin setups.
Single Fins:
The standard size rule of thumb is one inch of fins for every foot of board (9” fin for a 9' board)
A fin with more tip area will be more stable for nose rides
When adding side biter’s to create a 2+1 setup, cut two inches off the length your center fin.
Raked fins allow more of a carving turn while upright and D fins are designed as pivot points for more traditional old school turns. (drop knee cut backs, top turns then to the nose).
Twin Fins/Fish
Keel fins, with a long base and vertical trailing edge, are all drive but tend to lock up when going fast, often attributed to the very wide tails they are typically seen on
Twin fins with a more raked template are know for being very loose and fast
The addition of a small trailer fin has gained popularity because it offers stability and control when going fast, and helps prevent surfers from turning too hard and killing their speed.
Thrusters
Bigger fins with more base will help control your standard board in bigger surf
Small size differences are more noticeable because the difference is multiplied by three fins
Side fins with an upright posture combined with a center fin that has more rake can produce great drive while remaining loose.
Wider tails benefit larger fins unless they have deep channels.
Quads
Using smaller trailing fins with symmetrical foils will significantly loosen up a quad
The addition of another fin and placing the fins so far out on the rail allows quad to us smaller fins than thrusters.
Generally:
Your boards template, rails, and bottom contours will help determine your fin choice as will your weight, where you ride and how you ride.
These fin tips should make shopping through Wave Riders Fin Gallery much easier and more productive. Feel free to ask us questions about specific fins by clicking the question link on the individual fin pages.
Whether you are looking for a single fin for your longboard, a flex fin for your hull or a set of removable fins for your performance quad, there are a few basic rules to follow when choosing fins:
A wide/long fin base will have more drive and draw out your turns
A narrow/short fin base will have less drive but be easier to turn
Deep fins will hold better on steep faces and be more stable in the white water
Short fins release easier if you are looking to slide your tail out on hard turns
Fins with more rake (sweeps further back) will draw out your turns and capitalize better on the flex patterns of the fins
Fins with upright postures will be more responsive in weak, slow surf.
Smaller fins are looser and more forgiving but offer less hold and drive
Larger fins offer more hold and control in big surf, but will track in smaller waves.
While those concepts can be applied universally to almost all fin configurations, here are some tips for specific fin setups.
Single Fins:
The standard size rule of thumb is one inch of fins for every foot of board (9” fin for a 9' board)
A fin with more tip area will be more stable for nose rides
When adding side biter’s to create a 2+1 setup, cut two inches off the length your center fin.
Raked fins allow more of a carving turn while upright and D fins are designed as pivot points for more traditional old school turns. (drop knee cut backs, top turns then to the nose).
Twin Fins/Fish
Keel fins, with a long base and vertical trailing edge, are all drive but tend to lock up when going fast, often attributed to the very wide tails they are typically seen on
Twin fins with a more raked template are know for being very loose and fast
The addition of a small trailer fin has gained popularity because it offers stability and control when going fast, and helps prevent surfers from turning too hard and killing their speed.
Thrusters
Bigger fins with more base will help control your standard board in bigger surf
Small size differences are more noticeable because the difference is multiplied by three fins
Side fins with an upright posture combined with a center fin that has more rake can produce great drive while remaining loose.
Wider tails benefit larger fins unless they have deep channels.
Quads
Using smaller trailing fins with symmetrical foils will significantly loosen up a quad
The addition of another fin and placing the fins so far out on the rail allows quad to us smaller fins than thrusters.
Generally:
Your boards template, rails, and bottom contours will help determine your fin choice as will your weight, where you ride and how you ride.
These fin tips should make shopping through Wave Riders Fin Gallery much easier and more productive. Feel free to ask us questions about specific fins by clicking the question link on the individual fin pages.
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