In this post we will tell you what are the fins on the surfboard for. But first of all, in case you don’t know, we’ll explain what fins are. Fins are dolphin fin shaped supports that go under the board. They can be made of plastic, resin or carbon fiber (depending on the factory).

Did you know that fins are essential to surf better and make the most of the waves? In fact, some experts claim that the performance of a surfboard can improve by up to 40%, and others directly state that it would be almost impossible to surf without fins in certain waves (considering that there are different types of waves). This is the reason why that fins have become a staple piece for surfers.

What are the fins on the surfboard for: what you need to know

After having explored what fins are, we will explain you what they are used for and what functions they perform on a surfboard:

  1. The fins ensure that the board has directional stability when surfing the wave walls. Without the fins, the board would not have a specific direction.
  2. Also, the fins give the surfboard enough grip to prevent slipping on the wave. Without them, the board would slide and end up rotating 360 degrees.
  3. Furthermore, the fins help us to turn and therefore to carry out all types of maneuvers. In fact, they allow us to bring the board into the various sections offered by the wave (from the base to the top of the wave passing through the tube!). When we talk about tubes, we are referring to the empty part of the wave. The latter originates when the upper part of the wave moves faster than the lower part because of the seabed and the specific conditions of the waves. Therefore, the fins will help us to better enter the tube so that the board can be controlled in a critical and vertical area.

Ultimately, the fins on the surfboard are essential: they provide stability, grip in the water and directionality. To make you better understand, surfing without fins would be like driving a car without a steering wheel or pedals. In other words, without the fins, surfing would not be possible!

The parts of a fin for a surfboard

To leave no doubt, we want to explain the parts of a fin. And, based on its shape, the board will behave one way rather than another in the water.

  • Drive: The “drive” or the base is the part of the fin that is in contact with the board. The greater its width, the more fluidity and amplitude we will notice when we do turns. Also, the greater its width the greater will be the ability to maintain speed after a maneuver.
  • Pivot: The “pivot” refers to the inclination of the fin. The closer the angle of inclination is to 90 degrees, the more tight and radical maneuvers can be made and, moreover, it will give us more grip on the wave.
  • Hold or Grip: “Hold” is the height of the fin. The higher the fin, the more grip it will have on the wave but at the same time it will be harder to turn. A lower height of the fin will correspond to a greater response in the turning phase from one side of the wave to the other.

Measurements of the fins of a surfboard based on the weight of the surfer

Did you know that another important factor in choosing a surfboard’s fin size is our body weight? Fins can be in size XS, S, M, L or XL:

– XS (Extra Small): people under 55 kg

– S (Small): people between 55 and 70 kg

– M (Medium): people between 65 and 80 kg

– L (Large): people between 75 and 90 kg

– XL (Extra Large): people over 85 kg

Furthermore, if, on the one hand, it is important to know how to choose the size and shape of the fins, on the other hand, it is also important to know how to choose the correct size of the surfboard based on your height, weight, level and other factors.

We hope we have helped you solve your doubts and that you already know what the fins are for on the surfboard. And if you’ve asked yourself this question, maybe it’s because you like surfing or want to learn. Therefore, we invite you to visit our website to have a look at the surf courses in Corralejo, Fuerteventura, on surfintrip.com. Go ahead and book your spot! It will be a unique and unbelievable experience. We will be waiting for you.