Surf Journal
Fin Materials: What Volan, Hexcore and Plywood Actually Change, and Which One to Buy
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Fin Materials: What Volan, Hexcore and Plywood Actually Change, and Which One to Buy
The dropdown is labelled Color, and half the list isn't one. Volan and Hexcore are different fins sitting in the same menu as smoke and kelp — and the price runs backwards from what you'd guess.
Fin Systems: What "Compatible" Actually Means and Which Box Your Board Takes
You're standing over your board looking at two holes and you can't tell anyone what they're called. Here's how to name them in about a minute — and the two fitment traps that stop a fin going in at all.
The Three-Fin Quiver: What Three Fins Cover That Six Don't, and Which Three to Own
You own four fins. Three came in boards, the fourth you bought in a hurry, and you have never put two of them in the same board on the same day. Three chosen deliberately cover more ground than six chosen by brand.
The Fin Gets Out of the Way: Choosing a Flex Fin for a Displacement Hull
Put a stiff performance single fin in a displacement hull and the turn begins and stalls halfway. Nothing is wrong with that fin — it is answering a question your board never asked.
Putting Two and Two Together: How Quads Work and Which Set Is Yours
Half of surfers will tell you quads hold better than thrusters and half will tell you they're skatey. Both are right — they're describing different axes. Here's the one that decides which set is yours.
Single Fin Sizing: What the Depth Number Actually Buys and How to Pick Yours
One inch of fin per foot of board. Everybody says it — and it lands below the middle of the manufacturer's own published range twelve times out of twelve, always by handing you a fin that is too small.
Asymmetrical Fins: What the Two Sides Actually Do and Which Set Is Yours
You've seen two products with the same name and different last words — Regular and Goofy — and assumed one was a typo. They're different fins, and the wrong one fights your board on every turn.
2+1 Fins: What the Center Fin Actually Does and How Far to Size It Down
You put side bites in and the board went stiff, so you took them out and decided side bites weren't for you. The side bites were fine. The mistake was the fin you didn't change.
Thruster Fins: What the Third Fin Actually Does and Which Set to Buy
You are almost certainly surfing on fins a factory chose to hit a price. What the third fin actually resists, why your rear fin is the same size as your fronts, and which True Ames set belongs in your board.
Trailer Fins: How Much Third Fin You Actually Want
Your twin lets go on the drop, at the bottom of a turn, or on your backhand. A trailer fixes exactly those three moments — and how much fin you want depends on which one you keep losing. Eight True Ames designs, three real answers.
Bonzer Fins: How the System Works and How to Size Every Fin
How bonzer fins work as a system, how to size the center fin and side bites, and why a bonzer center fin is fundamentally different from a regular single fin.
Twin Fin Buying Guide: Find Your Perfect Match
Twinzer Fins: What Canards Actually Do and How to Pick a Set
Longboard Single Fins: What Pivot, Rake and Flex Actually Do and Which One Goes in Your Log
"Noserider fin" and "pivot fin" are the same fin wearing two labels. What actually separates the 74 longboard-depth single fins in this shop is two axes nobody prints on the box: how far behind the base the area sits, and how much the thing bends. Every template we carry at 9 inches and deeper, sorted by those two.
Wild Things Fins Buyer's Guide: Byron Bay Surf Hardware, Shipped Worldwide
Wild Things fins from Byron Bay — single fins, twins, thrusters, and side bites. US stockist with worldwide shipping from San Francisco. Complete buyer's guide with specs and recommendations.
Wild Things: Byron Bay Fins, US Stockist
Shop Wild Things fins, boardshorts, and Gato Heroi boards. US stockist shipping from San Francisco. Speed Fins, Fitz 2+1 setups, Chippa thrusters.
Why the Volan 4A is Worth the Extra $30
The Volan 4A costs about $30 more than the standard version. Here's what you get for the money: thicker panels, better flex, and the construction the template was designed for.
Best Fin for a Mid-Length (And How to Stop Second-Guessing Yourself)
Board-specific fin picks for eggs, speed shapes, and 2+1 mid-lengths—plus a tuning framework that stops the second-guessing.
Side Bites: When They Help, When They Don't, and When They Ruin Your Board
Gato Heroi Fin Buyer’s Guide (2025): Full Profiles, Board Pairings, & How to Choose the Right Fin
Rage Traction Pads: The Crew, the Films, and the Purple Cockroach
Australian rider-owned surf brand Rage makes traction pads, leashes, and films with no corporate oversight. US stockist in San Francisco.
The Greenough Fin Guide: Which One Actually Works for Your Board
A practical guide to choosing between Greenough 4A, Power Blade, and Stage 6 fins based on your board type. Includes sizing advice and honest guidance on what doesn't work.
Rage Traction Buyer's Guide: Which Pad Fits Your Surfing?
Complete specs and recommendations for all six Rage traction pads. Which grip fits your surfing style?
Power Blade vs 4A: Two Fins for Two Different Surfers
The Greenough 4A and Power Blade are both Greenough designs, but they're built for completely different boards and surfers. Here's how to know which one you need.
The 4C Isn't a Greenough Fin (And Why It Might Be Better for Your Log)
The 4C isn't a Greenough design—Paul Gross created it from scratch. Here's why that matters for choosing between the 4A and 4C.
Gato Heroi Surfboards: Complete Model Guide & Board Selection (2026)
Complete guide to every Gato Heroi surfboard model. Quick reference table, board pairings, fin recommendations, and how to choose the right Gato for your surfing style.
