The Right Fin Setup for Your Board
?
?
Ok, you’ve convinced me but I have no idea what to buy.
Why asymmetrical?
Why symmetrical?
The answer is simple: think about the conditions you usually surf in and what you’re looking for every time you go out.
-
Dead onshore conditions, focused on speed and big jumps:
ONLY SYMMETRICAL SETUP -
Custom board with a lot of rocker or tail kick—hard to plane but turns like crazy:
SYMMETRICAL SETUP or a mix: bigger fins in the back and smaller asymmetrical fins in the front.
Avoid large front fins in terms of surface area. -
My board is a custom, rides waves very well, but I want to improve performance:
ASYMMETRICAL SETUP -
My board is a production board that works great in Europe, but I struggle with wave riding in places like South Africa or Maui:
ONLY ASYMMETRICAL SETUP -
I love wave riding, but I also love jumping. Speed and a loose, slippery feel are more important than tight turns:
SYMMETRICAL SETUP or ASYMMETRICAL SETUP with XXS or XS front fins and larger rear fins (quad),
or S/M thruster setup with a larger center fin. -
I’m just starting with wave riding and my level is basic. I want to improve without losing early planing and speed:
ASYMMETRICAL SETUP -
I’m an experienced wave rider who enjoys float-and-ride conditions:
ONLY ASYMMETRICAL SETUP
?
I want to keep my back fins and just try asymmetrical front fins or vice versa.
Can I do that?
Of course you can. It will work very well—but not at 100%.
Our back fins for thruster and quad setups are just as important as the front fins. You’ll definitely feel something new, but it won’t be the full game changer.
It’s also very important to consider the surface area of your existing back fins when choosing the correct front fin size.
As a general rule, we recommend using larger fins (in terms of area) in the front and smaller ones in the back.
Example:
An 85 kg surfer using a quad setup on an 88 L board, 58 cm wide:
-
Symmetrical setup: 15 / 9 or 15 / 9.5
-
Asymmetrical setup: 14 / M or 14 / S
On the same board with a thruster setup:
-
Symmetrical setup: 17 and 10
-
Asymmetrical setup: XL and 15
?
What would you recommend for an asymmetrical quad setup?
Follow the size guide for the front fins.
For a true game changer, use larger fins in the front and smaller fins in the back.
As a rule, avoid going over 14.5 in the back, even if you weigh up to 100 kg.
If you don’t want to compromise too much on speed and glide, go the opposite way:
use smaller front fins (XXS/XS) and larger rear fins (15/16).
This will give your board more side hold and a smoother, more controlled feeling—closer to a single-fin ride.
?
What would you recommend for a thruster setup?
The thruster is the setup you can experiment with the most in terms of fin sizes.
Use the size chart to choose your front and back fins based on your weight and the board you’re using. From there, it all depends on what you want to achieve.
If you’re looking for a more surf-oriented feeling, go for larger front fins and a smaller back fin, aiming to get close to having all three fins with a similar surface area.
For example, using XXL or 12 (symmetrical) in the front with a 14 or 15 cm center fin is something really special.
It’s highly recommended for riders who want a true surfboard feel under their feet—a twin-fin sensation combined with the control of a thruster, thanks to the stabilizing center fin.
This is another real game changer.
If you prefer a more traditional or old-school feel, you can increase the back fin by about +1 cm and decrease the front fins by roughly the same amount.