How Surf Fins Work

Surfboard fins increase the control of a surfboard lift maintains the direction of the board Drag affects the speed of the board. Forward placed fins make a board more maneuverable. Fins closer to the tail make a board easier to control. The introduction of fin technology on a surfboard is one of the most important innovations in the history of surfing.

So how do surfboard fins literally work? We use surfboard fins to adjust the mobility, stability, and overall feel of a surfboard. The surf fins allow a board to be controlled in the water in a way that would be impossible without them. They help to maintain speed and control while cutting through the water.

Lift and Drag

Lift refers to the horizontal upward forces pressing against the board. The lift helps to keep the board moving in a particular direction and assists the rider with maintaining a straight line or to turning as the fins push against the water.

Drag is the force that slows you down. The amount of drag can be customized to a degree by increasing the surface area of the fins – meaning the more fins, or the wider the fin, the more drag. Greater surface area from your fins will allow for more control, which is great for someone learning to surf, but tends to slow the board down. Less surface area allows for more speed but can make the board harder to control.

Surf Fin Setups

The placement of the surf fins impact the way a surfboard can turn and maneuver. If the fins are located in a more forward position, the board will be able to make sharper turns. The further back the fins are the wider the turns will have to be. While a more forward placed setup allows for more maneuverability, balance is sacrificed in the process.

Choosing the best fin setup for your surfboard can be quite a daunting task. With so many fin designs and placement options, it can often be difficult to decide what to go with. Many surfers prefer a board with a 5-fin setup. This allows them to change their fin setup on the fly, without having the expense of a completely new surfboard.

Since there are so many surfboard fin setups to choose from, why not try them all? That’s right. Finatic.com is all about letting you try as many surf fins as you want so you don’t limit yourself. Give them a shot and never settle for one setup when you can have them all!