How to Choose the Right Fin for Your Longboard

Choosing the right fin for a fresh longboard or midlength can be a daunting task.

You fear an inch too big might slow you up on the nose, or an inch too small and you’ll be sliding out on every bottom turn.

And don't forget the price tags. Choose the wrong fin and before you know it you’re out another two-hundred dollars (inflation is no joke). 

Choosing a fin is often the last piece of the puzzle when fine tuning a new surfboard for its maiden voyage. When it comes to longboards, slight alterations can drastically change the way a board surfs. Midlengths, especially single-fins, can also demonstrate noticeable change at the slightest fin tweak. 

In all honesty, fin selection is a critical part in your board’s performance.

This seemingly small decision can change your entire surfing career, and maybe your life as a whole (unlikely, but you never know). There are plenty of fins in the sea, each of them providing a new opportunity to give your board a personality and make your surfing come to life.

But fear not, dear reader.

This guide should extinguish any worries and place your ideal fin on a silver platter for you to consume. 

How are longboard and midlength fins defined? 

There are three defining traits to look at when purchasing midlength and longboard fins: size, rake, and shape. 

Size: 

Simply put, it matters. Fortunately, fin sizing is pretty straightforward. Fins are measured in inches from the base to its highest point. You can generally find the size engraved or written somewhere near the bottom of the fin.

A general rule of thumb is to select a fin that is the same inches in length as the board is in feet.

For example, a nine inch fin would be best suited for a nine foot board. However, as with most surf generalizations, there are exceptions. You might want a larger fin if you’re looking for better hold on the nose or added control.

On the contrary, a tad smaller fin will open the possibility to quicker, snappier turns. If you’re riding a two-plus-one setup, you’ll likely want a fin that is one or two inches smaller than the size you would ride as a single fin. 

Rake: 

The second thing you’ll want to look at is the rake. This concept is a bit more complex than the size, and, no, it doesn’t have anything to do with gardening.

Rather, the rake signifies how far back the fin goes, and can play an especially huge role with regard to how your longboard might ride. When riding a single-fin, the less rake you have, the less hold you’ll have on the nose. As you might expect, less rake also implies quicker, pivoting turns.

On the flip side, additional rake leads to more drawn out turns. The amount of rake you choose is entirely based on preference and your own style of surfing. That being said, it is quite common to use a fin with a rake that approaches the tail of the board.

Shape: 

Shape is the last feature to take note of when purchasing a fin. Fins can come in a wide variety of shapes, but a select few templates that make up a majority of the selection. They are as follows: 

D-fin 

The D-fin is an old-school shape. As you might expect, the fin looks like a capital “D” (crazy, I know). It has an incredibly large surface area and is an ideal choice for those looking to simply cruise down the line.

Almost all early longboards featured this style of fin, but nowadays, this template is considered relatively outdated. 

Pivot fin 

The pivot fin (my personal favorite) provides surfers with solid stability on the nose and the ability to turn on a dime.

Evidently, those who named the types of longboard fins didn’t take much creative liberty, so as you might expect, this fin template is ideal for “pivoting” maneuvers. It allows for quick whips back into the pocket, powerful turns off the top, and prompt bottom-turn adjustments. 

All-around fin 

Boasting less surface area than D-fins and more rake than a pivot fin, the all-around fin is ideal for drawn-out turns and stability on the nose. If you’re a first-time fin buyer looking for something that’ll get the job done no matter the conditions, this is the fin for you.

Ride it in head-high, pumping beach breaks or windy, one-foot reef breaks. It doesn’t matter—the all-around fin is tried and true. 

Flex fin 

Last but not least, you have the flex fin. The shape is very similar to the all-around fin aside from a much thinner tip that in turn causes—stay with me now—added flex. This allows for a surfer to engage the rail more during turns and generate additional drive coming out of them. 

Best Midlength/Longboard Fin Brands: 

There are hundreds of longboard and midlength fins to choose from, ranging from local customs to global brands. Here are a few that I think stand out from the rest. 

DRD4 Fins 

A Santa Barbara company that offers an incredibly vast and creative selection of longboard fins. Pivot fins, bonzers, flex fins, D-fins—you name it, they’ve got it. Furthermore, DRD4 offers up a “Joel Tudor collection” so one can ride fins inspired by one of the greatest surfers ever. Their Toe Jam 10.0 Pivot is my personal favorite, offering a blend of sharp turns and stability on the nose.

True Ames 

True Ames is a California based company that’s been around for over forty-five years. A prominent figure in the nineties longboard resurgence, they have been at the forefront of fin evolution. Their Greenough template is easily one of the most famous single-fins of all time. It comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and has a midlength selection as well. 

Flying Diamonds 

A California brand, Flying Diamonds produces fins for some of the world's best longboarders. They have models for Taylor Jensen, Kai Sallas, Kelis Kaleopa’a, Kaniela Stewart, CJ Nelson, and more. If you know a pro surfer whose style you want to emulate, this company has a fin for you in all shapes and sizes. 

Rainbow Fin Co. 

Also known as RFC and located in Santa Cruz, this fin company has been around for over 50 years. They have a large selection of all types of fins- from longboards to shortboards, from stand-up paddleboards to windsurfing boards. 

Futures and FCS 

The two powerhouses of fin sales, FCS and Futures are best known for the shortboard fin selections they offer. That being said, both brands have a massive variety of single fins on offer, as well as the most reputable sidebites on the market. 

Conclusion

Fin selection will always be a tricky game. It’s unlikely that your first fin will be your last, and you should explore your many options. Indeed, when the fictional character Benjamin Button says that our “lives are defined by opportunities,” he may not have been talking about surfing, but his point still stands in relation 

to our sport of kings. Your fin choice is, truly, your opportunity to define your surfing and live your aquatic life to its fullest.