Proper Surfboard Fin Setup Explained

This post will help you with what the proper surfboard fin setup is and help in determining what the is best fin is for you.  

How surfboard fins work

 

Single Fin

  • Retro Fin set up for short boards and is rarely seen in thema nymore although common for long boards
  • Very little drag
  • Requires smooth down the line surfing
  • Does not work well with abrupt movements

Twin Fin

  • Twin fin offers stability and maneuverability as well as being faster than a thruster set up as it has no dragging fin.
  • Normally found on traditional fishes or modern short boards
  • Good for conditions from 1-4ft with skilled surfers able to utilize in bigger swells
  • Works well in choppy conditions
  • Once the size of the waves go 5 ft and above the twin fin often slides out on big powerful bottom turns.
 

Tri Fin(Thruster)

  • Most common fin setup
  • Most versatile set up
  • High vertical performance surfing
  • Good maneuverability, stability and control
  • Wave heights range from 1ft to 20 ft on guns
  • Third fin does create drag
  • Best surfing is from rail to rail
  • This is the advised fin set up to have on your board
 

Quad Fin

  • Faster set up than a thruster as there is no drag from a back fin
  • Good performance in huge waves like jaws with control and speed
  • Good carve control on wave suits power surfer
  • Hard for tail release at the top of the wave
  • Takes some time to get used to the set up with many people sliding out at the bottom of the wave
  • Has a "skaty," looser feel with good drive

If you're unsure of what would suit you, why not try them all out? Get a custom 5 fin box setup on your next board here!

Back to blog