Do you suffer from fin-choice paralysis? Don’t worry, it happens to a lot of surfers. Sometimes, choosing the right fin to rudder your prized whip can feel daunting. There are dozens of different options, all with their own characteristics; some perform better in hollow waves, others cruise along softer joints, some for longer shapes and some for performance-orientated surfing. Yeah, there’s a lot to consider.
If you were to boil it all down to one general rule of thumb for choosing your next fin (design aside, if you’re leaning into aesthetics), then go by: the longer the board, the longer the fin – you can adjust depending on how you want to surf, where you want to surf and what you want to surf – and that is just all part of the fun.
Fins also have different systems and set-ups. You will want a different fin set for a 2+1 set-up than you would a single fin, for the most part. The baseline is, figure out size and move forward from there. Here’s our picks for some tip-top fins, courtesy of our pals at 10 Over Surf Shop.
Rainbow Fins — Nomad, 10.5″
My goodness. This is one fine-looking fin. Rainbow Fin’s Nomad model is a marriage between rake and pivot. Its wide base mean this little doozy will hold you too. This fin will make turning much easier and can be seen as a bit of an all-rounded. Say hi to your new daily driver.
Beauty, isn’t it? As modelled by Seb Ovington.
Captain Fin — Vamp Pivot, 10”
A bit of an all-rounder for the die-hard logger. This 10” fin was designed specifically for time on the nose and baking in some easy turns. It’s made from fibreglass, offering a stiff flex – which provides more control while on the nose. Have a question about this fin? Ask the team, here!
Rainbow Fins — El Gato, 9.5″
A one-of-a-kind stained glass fin, all the way over from California. Translated from Spanish, El Gato literally means The Cat, which may attest to the agility this fin will afford you. An upright 9.5″ fin, well-suited for noseriding and some toes over nose control, this beautifully-crafted fin will hold and pivot all at once.
An envy-laded aesthetic.
Flying Diamonds – Josh Seemann – Sea Monnster Pivot 11” Single Fin
A bit more length than the Captain Fin’s pivot fin, made for longer boards. There’s more surface area to this all black, carbon-looking rudder. Another stiff fin that allows for some off the tail adjustments and a lot of control through your turns. This 11” Monnster will glue you to the face through critical sections while you’re toes are over the nose. This also allows for better steering from up front. A decent all-round possibility if you only wanted one fin. Shop it, here.
Rainbow Fins — Noserider, 9.5″
Another gorgeous fin from Rainbow Fins. This time, a drawn out noserider draped in a mint fade. The long rake means a good proportion of the fin will remain in the water when up on the nose, giving you hold and control. So if it’s up top navigation you’re after — here’s the answer.
Mint makes a welcome return to fashion.
Rainbow Fins – Gerry Lopez, 7.25” Longboard Fin
Ever admired the effortless grace of Gerry Lopez? We all have. And recently, Gerry teamed up with Rainbow Fins to produce this collab 7.25” fin. An upright little number, with a throwback to retro design adds some tighter turning and reliability across a variety of different wave types. And Rainbow Fin Co, being based in California, is bringing a touch of The Golden State to longboards the world over. All the company’s fins are tested and manufactured by owners Glen and Kathy De Witt – a personal touch. Check it out, here.
Mitch Abshere Cali 10” Longboard Fin
If you’re dedicated to noseriding, this is the fin for you. This houses a wide base, built for pivoting and designed to slow you down and keep the tail fully locked in the water. If you have a square tail log, this is the fin for you, complementing the tail’s nose-riding with its own sense of purpose under foot. Great for stability, and the aesthetics are easy on the eye too. Go here to see the fin.
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Head over to 10 Over Surf Shop for all your longboard and accessory needs.
Lifestyle photography by Queenie Matthews.
