Choosing the right fin for your longboard or mid-length surfboard is pretty important - your fin makes up about 40% of your boards performance.
However, with so many options available, it can be tricky to know where to start.
Here’s a good rule of thumb to keep in mind..
“The fin size (in inches) should be equal to or up to 1 inch greater than the length of your board (in feet).”
Our Everyday single fins come in a range of sizes from 8” up to 10.5” so you can find one that suits your board perfectly.
Why fin size matters
- Stability: A fin that matches your board's size offers the right amount of grip on the wave, making it easier to control. A fin that’s too small will slide down the face when you walk up the board, making it much hard to nose ride.
- Maneuverability: Going too big can make turning harder due to the greater surface area and drag, while too small a fin might not provide enough hold, leading to slides and less control.
- Speed: The right-sized fin helps in maintaining speed through turns by reducing unnecessary drag. However, you may find a larger fin gives you greater down-the-line speed as it will hold you in from without as much sliding or movement.
Choosing the right fin for your style
With some over simplifications and some personal biases, here’s our view of when to use different sized fins.
For Noseriding
If you love cruising along the wave or are into nose riding, a larger fin provides the stability and hold you need.
This is especially true for longboards.
A fin that's at the upper end of the size recommendation will help keep the tail of the board in water, making it easier to walk up and down the board.
For Turns
Surfers who prefer quick turns and maneuvers might opt for a fin size that's closer to the actual length of their board.
A slightly smaller fin offers less resistance, making it easier to pivot, drive and turn sharply.
What now?
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different fin sizes to find what works best for you. We offer a 30-day risk free returns policy (no questions asked) - use it!
- Ask around: Surf shops can provide valuable advice based on experience (or reach out to us on Live chat or Instagram)
- Consider our board and waves: The right fin also depends on your board's shape and the types of waves you surf.
By starting with the basic rule of matching the fin size to your board length, you're on the right path to finding the perfect setup.
Happy sliding,
