The right kind of surfboard does wonders for your surfing experience, yet your board can only do so much. After all it’s just a board, and it won’t magically alter itself to suit the dynamic surfing conditions you encounter every time you hit the waves. If you’re after for a better ride (who isn’t?), it’s time you take a closer look at your fins. The right rake, foil, and flex for your fin setup could be all the change you need. FreeSurfMagazine.com makes it easier for you to understand your fins and setup.
The right rake, foil and flex for your fin setup will do wonders for your surfing | photo by Tyler Karaszewski
The Right Rake, Foil, and Flex for Your Fin Setup
“So how do you alter your fin set-up for better performance? The first hurdle is to find a fin template with features that match your surfing style and power. The primary aspects of a fin template are the rake (aka sweep), foil and flexibility. The rake, or fin area behind the base of the fin, is also thought about as sweep, how much of the fin’s outline shape is curved backwards. Either way you look at it, the rake affects your turns. If you like to draw out your turns, try a template with a lot of rake. Conversely, fins with less rake allow for tighter turns and pivoting.
A fin’s foil tempers speed by generating lift or drive. It determines where in the turn the fin will let go of the water and release. For summer surf you’ll want fins that carry speed through the turns and flat sections by creating lift. Finally, flex is determined by the fin material and the thickness of the foil; a soft flex fin with good spring back can feel loose in small surf but may slip out larger, more powerful surf. Vince Longo recommends a fin that is stiff at the base and soft at the tip for quick response time in summer surf. “When the fin is pushed on, it pushes back immediately enabling the fastest directional changes and speed generation,” explains Longo. “When the fin is loaded it springs back quickly and with the same energy that was placed into the fin. Essentially the surfer can store energy in the fin, like a pulled back bow, and release the energy at the end of turns.”
Veteran shaper Will Allison of Allison Surfboards promotes the flexible single fin set-up for a longboards, allowing the surfer to make better use of the rail. A long, tapered fin generates a spring out of the bottom-turn, and if you’re riding beefier, hollow waves, you can add some small wings to your side-boxes to get a little more hold.” Read the entire article here.
Have you figured out the right rake, foil, and flex for your fin setup yet? What do you think about Freesurf Magazine’s recommendations? Is that what you’d recommend for your friends? Please share your thoughts below.
