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The surfboard fin is the part of the back of a surfboard that enters the water. Similar to a rudder on a boat the surfboard fin works to steer the board and provide stability. The surfboard fin prevents a surfer from uncontrollably spinning in circles while trying to ride a wave. The surfboard fin or fins are an important advancement in the design and performance of a surfboard. Surfboard fins come in a few different types and from those types come many different shapes, sizes, and placements. Surfboard fins are the number one accessory for surfboards and there are many brands that produce them.

Surfboard Fins were invented in Hawaii, along with the surfboard itself. Since there invention surfboard fins have grown tremendously.

Types of Surfboard Fins

Glass on fins are fins that are permanently connected to the surfboard through fiberglass. This type of fin was mainly used on older model surfboards. Glass on fins are broken easily and are hard to repair. You rarely see these types of fins today because a different type of fin has replaced them.

Removable Fin SystemsThe most common types of fins used today, removable fins are surfboard fins that can be unscrewed from the surfboard and be replaced by different fins or be moved about the board for a different setup in maneuverability and stability.

Flexible fins fins are used on most rental boards because of liability. These fins are much safer than a hard fin because they cannot cut you. However it does lose some of the performance.

History of the Surfboard Fin

Before the addition of the fin to the surfboard, surfers rode waves much differently. In Hawaii, where surfing first started, the surfers would ride their surfboards without fins in a strait manner rather than turning or ridding the wave diagonally, as is done today. The challenge of surfing before fins was to try and keep the board strait and ride directly towards the beach. The surfer’s only means of control before the fin was to stick their hands or feet into the water while trying to balance on the board.

Production

Tom Blake(One of surfing most influential fathers) invented the first fin used on a surfboard. Although Blake’s first fin was most like attaching a rudder from a boat to the bottom of the board, Blake’s finding started the development of the fins that we use today.

From Blake’s first fin, people like Bob Simmons and George Greenough, modified the shape of the fin and the way they where used. Simmons was the first to use more than one fin on a surfboard. Greenough made the fin flexible and more hydrodynamic. With Blake’s invention and Simmon’s and Greenough’s expansion the fin, it took some time before it became a mainstream part of surfing.

Surfers didn’t start really using a multi-fin set up until the 1970’s. The set up was beginning to get used in surf competitions, and that is where its popularity began; because of its evident stability and maneuverability.

It wasn’t till the 80’s that Simon Anderson invented the popular thruster set up (three fins) which is mentioned later in the article. The thruster set up is still used and widely popular today.

Surfboard Fin Setups and Shapes

Single fin

The single fin setup is the original fin setup. Single fin setups are common on long boards. They are usually long and wider than other fins, which make the board controllable with only the one fin.

Twin Fin

The twin fin setup is a board with two fins that are parallel to each other. This setup provides extra speed and easier turning. The fins are on the smaller side and both are the same.

Thruster

The most common setup, the thruster is a three-fin setup. All the fins are the same size, with two parallel fins and a middle fin placed slightly further back on the board.

Three-fin setup

The three-fin setup is when there are two small fins and a larger adjustable middle fin. This setup is commonly used with mid length to long boards.

Quad setup

The quad setup is four fins, two on each side. This setup is used on short boards and provides more speed because it lacks a middle fin.

Surfboard Fin Brands

FCS (fins)

FCS are the leaders in the industry of surf fins. They come stock on most new boards, and there is a very large variety of aftermarket fins to select from.

Future Fins

Future fins are probably the second most popular fin system. Similar to the FCS fins, Future fins have a wide selection of aftermarket setups.

Red X

Red X fins are known for their customization. While not as common as FCS or Future fins, Red X fins are becoming more popular everyday. The Red X fins are also known to have a very strong base that can slide along the board.

Lock Box

Lock Box fins are not as common among the average surfboard. They are usually installed in custom boards. They have common features to the Red X brand in that they slide up and down the board.

O’Fish’l

O'Fish'l fins are also known for their customizability. Unlike other fins this system can interchange different fins quickly without need for tools.

Pro Teck

Pro Teck fins are known as "Beginner fins because of their concern with safety. The Hawaii based company produces flexible fins that cannot cut a person.

Terms To Describe Fins

Base

The Base is the part of the fin that connects to the board. The longer the base the harder it is to turn.**

Depth

The depth describes the full length of the fin that enters the water. While longer depth increases stability it also makes it harder to turn.

Template

The template is the basic shape of the fin.

Rake

The rake is the part of the back of the fin where it curves up from the bottom to the tip.

Tip

The tip is the top part of the fin or the furthest part of the fin in the water.

Flex

The flex refers to how giving the fin is on turning in the water.

References

"Fins History | SURFLINE.COM." SURFLINE.COM | Global Surf Reports and Forecasts, Live Surf Cams and Coastal Weather. Web. 20 Jan. 2010. [[1]].

"Glass On Fins |." The Surfing Handbook. Web. 20 Jan. 2010. [[2]]. P.A. Brandner1 and G.J. Walker. "Hydrodynamic Performance of a Surfboard Fin." Web.

"Removable Fin Systems |." The Surfing Handbook. Web. 20 Jan. 2010. [[3]].

"Surfboard Fin History |." The Surfing Handbook. Web. 20 Jan. 2010. [[4]].

"Surfboard fins with flexible edges - Patent Search." Google. Web. 20 Jan. 2010. [[5]].

Unknown, Author. "HISTORY OF THE SURFBOARD." Wetsuits, surfboards, snowboards, videos and boardblog. Web. 06 Feb. 2010. [[6]].

Unknown, Author. "Surf Fins." Surf Fins. Web. [[7]].

Unknown, Author. "Surf design." [[8]]