Fins. You might not think about them too much, but you probably should. Photo: Shutterstock
Fins are pretty frequently overlooked. They’re a bit of an afterthought, but in reality, they can completely change the performance of a board, and as a result, how much fun you have surfing. Here are a couple of quick tips regarding all things fin.
1. Don’t skimp.
It’s easy to put too much focus on the surfboard and not enough on the fins. Even great boards can ride mediocre if you don’t take the time to find the right pair of fins for your style surfing. When dialing in a board, make sure to find quality fins. This might mean spending a bit more money, but its a whole lot cheaper than buying another board, so look at it as an investment.
2. Don’t forget the fin key.
Keeping a fin key on hand is tricky. Fin keys are small, easy to misplace, and pretty useless until you really, really need one. However, they can be absolutely essential if you break a fin, lose a fin, or break your leash string. Having a fin key can be a complete session saver when luck doesn’t go your way. Keeping your fin key on your car key chain is an easy way to keep it accessible and out of the way. Unless you’re walking distance from your local spot, you’ll never be without your car keys, and adding one more thing to the key chain will be something you won’t regret.
3. Have a spare set.
Much like the fin key scenario, you never think about your fins until you really, really need them. Keep a spare set in the trunk of your car (and with you when you travel) for those oops moments when you need an extra.
4. Label them.
If you are fortunate enough to have a couple of different boards, you likely have a couple different sets of fins. Especially if they’re all say, generic looking white fins, make sure you label each set with a quick initial or symbol so you know what board they go with. This will keep board assembly simple and seamless.
