Surfboard Fin Setups Explained

Just like with surfboard dimensions, fins offer almost endless possibilities with different sizes, materials, flexibility and setups. These hydrofoils might seem small compared to a surfboard but don’t be fooled. They have a major impact on your surfboard’s response and performance, especially once you’ve passed the novice surfing level.

Fins are important because they are the devices that give you stability, control, and direction on your surfboard. They help you maintain your speed and “cut” through the water in a way that would be impossible on a finless board.

There are many different fin setups. Here, we will focus on the 4 most popular ones, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses and the type of conditions they excel in.

‍Single Fin

Single fins are most commonly found on longboards. The original fin setup is considered outdated by some, but it is still appreciated by others because it brings a different feel while riding the wave. They are usually long and wide, big enough to provide control over the surfboard on its own.

‍Ideal Conditions: Small to small-medium surf. Or medium-big fat, weak waves.

😃 The positive:

• Provides good speed, as fewer fins create less drag.
• Single fins are great for smooth, slow turns.
• The size of the single fin can help to prevent spinning out in the tube.

😣 The negative:

• Hard to do quick, sharp turns.
• Can feel unstable, especially when you’re not used to riding this fin setup.

Twin Fin

Twin fins became popular at the end of the 1970s and at the beginning of the 1980s when Mark Richards started to use twin-fin “fishes” to win four consecutive World Championships. At that time, the world discovered how twin fins offered extra manoeuvrability and speed, giving Mark Richards a competitive edge to beat other competitors riding single fins.‍

Ideal Conditions: Small to Small-Medium Surf.

😃 The positive:

• It’s more stable than a single fin and provides high manoeuvrability and speed.

😣 The negative:

• Can feel “loose” and make it hard to bottom turn on bigger waves as your tail could slide.

Thruster Fin

This is currently the most popular fin setup for most surfers, from beginners to experts. Frustrated with the fact that twin fins wouldn’t “hold” enough in bigger waves, Australian Simon Anderson came up with the idea of a three equal-sized fin setup in 1980.

The extra fin placed in the middle at the back of the tail provides more stability and manoeuvrability. The thruster setup has played a huge part in the evolution of high-performance surfing, making many radical manoeuvres possible.

‍Ideal Conditions: Many types of conditions. Super fun in good to epic conditions. Holds well in steep, powerful surf and tubes.

😃 The positive:

• Very high manoeuvrability and stability. This is a great fin setup for high-performance tricks.

😣 The negative:

• It slows you down. The back fin creates more drag at the end of the surfboard.

Quad Fin

The four-fin setup gets a little bit of both the characteristics of the twin fin and the thruster setup. Quads can be great in small surf, especially if the rear fins are further up on the surfboard and closer to the rails. This helps surfers generate speed, even in weak waves and helps to do quick turns, a bit like a twin fin would, but with extra control.

Surfers also use quads in big hollow waves, with the back fins placed further back on the board, for extra hold in steep waves. Advanced surfers enjoy the extra speed gained from not having a centre fin and the additional hold on higher lines due to having 2 fins near the rails.

Ideal Conditions: Many types of conditions. At its best in clean, powerful and good surf.

😃 The positive:

• Faster than the thruster

😣 The negative:

• Can feel a bit loose, especially during your first sessions with a quad setup.

Other Fin Characteristics

The “fin setup” (the location and the amount of fins) is quite important, but it’s not everything. When choosing fins, other aspects need to be considered. Here are a few:

• ‍Fin Size: Bigger fins equal more hold, as more surface area is in contact with the water. Smaller ones create a “looser” feel.
• ‍Fin Flexibility: Stiffer fins provide a quick response but are less forgiving.
• ‍Fin Base: This is the length of the fin at the part where it meets the board. Longer bases provide more drive. When surfers turn, they put pressure against them, creating acceleration. A small fin base will generate less drive but will provide quick and short turn arcs.
• ‍Fin Rake or Sweep: Fin rake means how far the fin goes backwards (the way it tilts to the back). Less rake means it’s easier to pivot quickly, and more rake will create longer, more drawn-out turns. Generally, more sweep or rake is enjoyable on big, playful shoulders.

These are just a few of the many different fin characteristics. Another crucial element to consider is the surfboard’s tail shape, which works in harmony with the fins to create a particular response, hold and control in the water.