In this mini SUPboarder Pro series about fins, we test some theories around fins and show you how fins really do make a difference to your paddling. The first episode talks you through tracking and speed from fins and what type of fin might suit your paddling. We are going to be bringing you insights […]
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Messmker07
3 years ago
I’ve been curious about this for ages. Solid work lads
We have too. Thanks for the comment. Loads more info coming too.
georgeh
3 years ago
i have mutliple fins for my race boards. The shape of the boards dictate which fins really suit the board, so i have favourites for the different boards. Race conditions often determine which fin i’ll use along with the board, a flatwater river race will be a different fin to an open water race. Type on race also dictates the fin i use, as sprint will be a different fin to 10 or 20k race. I test out the fins on the board on the canal over a set distance and its quite interesting to see how one fin will… Read more »
Hi George, This is so true and really interesting to hear your findings. We will be covering different types of fins and which fins suit different conditions in an upcoming episode. But yes, there is so much more than just the fin and trying to pair it correctly with your paddling plus the type of board. Thanks for the comment.
sarah_supjunkie33
3 years ago
Really interested to hear more about fin choices so thanks for this! 🙂
Finally a topic on Supboarderpro I have a big interest in. The bigger fin used in the vid is one of my go to fins for training is exploring as it tracks well and is VERY tough. Also transfers less shock to the finbox if you hit stuff with it because of the material. The thing to note about that fin is although the foil shapes are pretty good, the overall chord is about 9mm. It’s quite thick. On a stillwater board that is 50% more movement of the water around the fin than a 6mm fin ( which I… Read more »
Hi Greg. Glad you find this series interesting, as we do too. You have made some great points and really know your stuff, especially about the thickness or chord length of the fins when in different water states – it makes such a difference to the performance and speed of your board through the water.
Is there something in particular you would like to see included in this series or covered elsewhere? We welcome any ideas from our readers that will help the SUP community learn, improve and have more fun.
I have been waiting for someone with the resources to actually measure the differences in still water and surf/DW effects on fins. I think you could measure it by incorporating a pressure pad in the rear at the base of the fin. I have believed ( without proof) that the too area need COMPLETELY different fin design. I also have issue with the copying of fish fins that are active ( all of them) on boards where the fins are completely passive. The Fish fin shape has a tendency to produce serious vorticies behind it ( especially the tip). I… Read more »
Hi Greg. Really insightful and has definitely got us thinking (hence the delay in replying). We’re keen to see if this can be done, so leave it with us as we consult some experts. Also, do you have a link the Bethwaite foil design you mentioned? Can’t seem find it easily. Thanks for the ideas and please keep them coming!
SauceMan
3 years ago
Im looking forward to the surf testing, maybe it will explain the things I think I’ve noticed. I’ve been playing with fin configuration on my sunova flow and find with the bigger set of thrusters i was getting thrown off the board a lot, I think because the chop out the back moves the nose and creates small bursts of drive, it feels like the board is shooting out from under my feet. I switched to a set of twin fins and then a very small set of quads. I’ve found a significant amount of stability standing out the back… Read more »
Great feedback about your fins. Using a twin fin or quad set will definitely give you more speed as the water can flow directly down the middle of the board without drag from a centre fin. So that explains your extra boost when paddling. It’s interesting to hear that you have more stability standing out the back with quad fins or twin fins. I’d put this down to having less resistance and drag so you can paddle more freely and the water flow is completely different underneath your board. We haven’t had any experience with the Sunova Flow yet, but… Read more »
Yeah good question Im still learning(I guess you never stop) but there are a lot of differences i think. For example when I’m dropping in the thrusters hold me back on the wave or it feels like it and I need to put my weight more to my front leg to gain speed down the face vs the quads that will sometimes shoot out from under my feet if I’m not on my game. I prefer the quad for turns, feels like they don’t bite and direct the board as quick so I can get the rail in deeper? I… Read more »
It’s fantastic that you can really feel the difference in fins when paddling on to waves. Everything you mention are the typical qualities of each set up. I really enjoy using a nubster fin in the centre box with a quad. It just gives the board a little more bite when turning.
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I’ve been curious about this for ages. Solid work lads
We have too. Thanks for the comment. Loads more info coming too.
i have mutliple fins for my race boards. The shape of the boards dictate which fins really suit the board, so i have favourites for the different boards. Race conditions often determine which fin i’ll use along with the board, a flatwater river race will be a different fin to an open water race. Type on race also dictates the fin i use, as sprint will be a different fin to 10 or 20k race. I test out the fins on the board on the canal over a set distance and its quite interesting to see how one fin will… Read more »
Hi George,
This is so true and really interesting to hear your findings. We will be covering different types of fins and which fins suit different conditions in an upcoming episode. But yes, there is so much more than just the fin and trying to pair it correctly with your paddling plus the type of board. Thanks for the comment.
Really interested to hear more about fin choices so thanks for this! 🙂
Thanks Sarah.
Finally a topic on Supboarderpro I have a big interest in. The bigger fin used in the vid is one of my go to fins for training is exploring as it tracks well and is VERY tough. Also transfers less shock to the finbox if you hit stuff with it because of the material. The thing to note about that fin is although the foil shapes are pretty good, the overall chord is about 9mm. It’s quite thick. On a stillwater board that is 50% more movement of the water around the fin than a 6mm fin ( which I… Read more »
Hi Greg. Glad you find this series interesting, as we do too. You have made some great points and really know your stuff, especially about the thickness or chord length of the fins when in different water states – it makes such a difference to the performance and speed of your board through the water.
Is there something in particular you would like to see included in this series or covered elsewhere? We welcome any ideas from our readers that will help the SUP community learn, improve and have more fun.
Cheers!
I have been waiting for someone with the resources to actually measure the differences in still water and surf/DW effects on fins. I think you could measure it by incorporating a pressure pad in the rear at the base of the fin. I have believed ( without proof) that the too area need COMPLETELY different fin design. I also have issue with the copying of fish fins that are active ( all of them) on boards where the fins are completely passive. The Fish fin shape has a tendency to produce serious vorticies behind it ( especially the tip). I… Read more »
Hi Greg.
Really insightful and has definitely got us thinking (hence the delay in replying). We’re keen to see if this can be done, so leave it with us as we consult some experts.
Also, do you have a link the Bethwaite foil design you mentioned? Can’t seem find it easily.
Thanks for the ideas and please keep them coming!
Im looking forward to the surf testing, maybe it will explain the things I think I’ve noticed. I’ve been playing with fin configuration on my sunova flow and find with the bigger set of thrusters i was getting thrown off the board a lot, I think because the chop out the back moves the nose and creates small bursts of drive, it feels like the board is shooting out from under my feet. I switched to a set of twin fins and then a very small set of quads. I’ve found a significant amount of stability standing out the back… Read more »
Great feedback about your fins. Using a twin fin or quad set will definitely give you more speed as the water can flow directly down the middle of the board without drag from a centre fin. So that explains your extra boost when paddling. It’s interesting to hear that you have more stability standing out the back with quad fins or twin fins. I’d put this down to having less resistance and drag so you can paddle more freely and the water flow is completely different underneath your board. We haven’t had any experience with the Sunova Flow yet, but… Read more »
Yeah good question Im still learning(I guess you never stop) but there are a lot of differences i think. For example when I’m dropping in the thrusters hold me back on the wave or it feels like it and I need to put my weight more to my front leg to gain speed down the face vs the quads that will sometimes shoot out from under my feet if I’m not on my game. I prefer the quad for turns, feels like they don’t bite and direct the board as quick so I can get the rail in deeper? I… Read more »
It’s fantastic that you can really feel the difference in fins when paddling on to waves. Everything you mention are the typical qualities of each set up. I really enjoy using a nubster fin in the centre box with a quad. It just gives the board a little more bite when turning.