Tag Archives: Finatic

How to Pick a Set of Fins

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Hey guys! I recently wrote a piece for our mailing list where I gave a few pointers on how to pick out a new set of Surfboard Fins, to keep it short and sweet I kept it simple in the email. However, below you’ll find a more in depth look at how to buy your self a new set of fins. Enjoy!

1. Make sure you know what kind of Fins you board uses.
It seems simple, but knowing if your board takes FCS II, FCS, or Futures Fins is often overlooked. Remember that FCS and Futures boards can also use both Kinetik and 3D Fins, when bought with the appropriate fin base. Also, knowing if you have a Thruster, Quad or 5-Fin setup on you board should be over looked and remember, if you have a 5-Fin you have the option of running a Thruster or Quad Set. If you go with a traditional thruster set up you’re looking at big bottom turns and HUGE of the top hits. If you elect to run a Quad set-up you’ll be looking at great hold and you board will feel more “skatey”. 3D Fins offer dimples that increase drive on your turns and reduce drag for more speed. FCS II features the worlds first screwless system, while Futures and Kinetik strategically place carbon within their higher end fins to help return power from your turns into speed with very precise flex patterns.

2. Know your Weight
Fins are categorized into weight rages, for Grom, Small, Medium, Large and XL surfers. Make sure you’re buying a fin set that’s the appropriate size for you or you run the risk of your board feeling too squirly or stiff. You can get away with going a size smaller for a loose feel, or going a size bigger for more hold, but this is only recommended once your extremely comfortable with your board and particular surf style. Advanced surfers should definitely experiment more as it will give their surfing an edge and a fresh feel, while beginners should really stick to fins in their designated weight range.

3. Know your Wave
Know what types of waves you typically surf, this will help determine what fin size, template and material you should go with, with template and material being key here. A more upright fin will pivot on a dime and are great for waves with a small pocket. Fins with a more drawn out tip are recommended for long walls where you have the option to do big drawn out sweeping turns. Base is easy, a larger base on a fin will give you more drive, while a set with a smaller base will tend to be more loose. Fin material is an interesting conversation and really deserves the time spent experimenting with different fins. Fins with Carbon strategically placed with in the fin have a very meaningful flex pattern, returning a lot of speed to you and your board. Hex core is light weight and has been designed to mimic the fiber glass fins of old with a reduced weight. (Think Smaller Waves) Solid glass fins have become less popular as their the heaviest of the current fin materials, but still have their place when it gets HEAVY. Glass fins will hold like no other and help you get down the line and out of harms way.

Remember that we have designed the Finatic Fin Testing Program to help you learn what fins are best for you and Finatic is TRULY the best way to try virtually any set of Surfboard Fins. Use this resource to improve your surfing!

Finatic™ LIVE on air Discussions

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I told you something different was coming to our YouTube Channel and here it is! Finatic™ has been getting a ton of CRAZY press lately. So, what you’ll see here is three on air discussions from some of the biggest contests in surfing and what are they talking about?!? Our Finatic™ Fin Testing Program™! Below you’ll see LIVE on air conversations from the 2013 Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, the 2013 Hurley Pro.Trestles and the 2013 Quiksilver Pro. France. Here’s what’s crazy, not only is this the real deal, but these are basically three contests Back to Back to BACK where Finatic™ became a talking point! On a personal note it’s crazy to see my ideas begin to impact the Surf Industry, it’s been a wild ride and I want to thank each and every Finatic™ member as I realize the program would be no where with out you, so thank you. If you’re not a Finatic™ member I’m not sure what you’re waiting for! Get testing fins!

Here’s a link to the Vans U.S. Open Finatic™ Discussion:

http://youtu.be/dMUkWW4D7zQ

Watch the Vans U.S. Open Finatic™ Clip HERE:

Here’s a link to the Hurley Pro. Finatic™ Discussion:

http://youtu.be/aWiE5hCNH2A

Watch the Hurley Pro Finatic™ Clip HERE:

Here’s a link to the Quiksilver Pro France Finatic™ Discussion:

http://youtu.be/aWiE5hCNH2A

Watch the Quiksilver Pro Finatic™ Clip HERE:

CJ Hobgood Finatic™ Team Rider Interview!!!

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What?!?! Yea YEA! Here it is my interview with CJ Hobgood, 2001 ASP World Champ on his thoughts about the Finatic™ Fin Testing Program™ and what he thinks about becoming the FIRST Finatic™ Teamrider! So VERY VERY SICK! We here at The Surfboard Warehouse couldn’t be more excited to sign CJ! Right off the bat CJ and I hit it off and after I saw his passion for Finatic™ I knew this was the guy we wanted. So check out our Finatic™ Video featuring CJ, then become a Finatic™ member and start testing surfboard fins from some of the ELITE Surfboard Fin manufacturers in the industry including FCS, Future Fins, Kinetik Racing, Fin-S, Rainbow Fins and Turbo Tunnel, so you know what different fins do for your surfing! On a personal note Finatic™ has been a project of mine for about five years now and it’s amazing to have a talent like CJ on board, realizing what Finatic™ means to the surf industry. As CJ likes to say “this is the world we live in.” and he’s absolutely right, we want to try before we buy and Finatic™ brings that to your mailbox. Again check out the Vid. and become a Finatic™ member, I’ve set the price for YOUR first month at $0.99 so there’s nothing stopping you from becoming a part of the most revolutionary program to hit the surf industry, MAYBE EVER and don’t take my word for it, just ask CJ Hobgood! ;) Thanks again!

Here’s a link to the Finatic™ Fin Testing Program™:

http://www.thesurfboardwarehouse.com/p-477-finatic-subscription.aspx

Here’s a like to the Finatic™ CJ Hobgood Teamrider Interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU_g_M60-oI

Or watch CJ Hobgood Finatic™ Teamrider Interview right here:

FCS JF-1 Fin Review

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Hey Guys! The NEW FCS JF-1 Fins are BACK IN STOCK! If you’ll remember we sold out of our first batch in ONE DAY! As a result we stepped up our 2nd. shipment and they should last a bit longer! If you’re interested in the FCS JF-1′s (their Jeremy Flores’s Signature Fins how could you not be?!?) get them while we have um OR as with all the fins we sell you can try them out by becoming a Finatic! Finatic is our EXCLUSIVE Fin Testing Program that operates similar to Netflix. It’s ABSOLUTELY SICK! If you want to try a BUNCH of different fins it’s the ONLY way to go! Anyway, I am happy to announce that the FCS JF-1′s are available for purchase OR for testing within Finatic. Thanks again!

Article in Transworld Business!!

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Hey Guys! Yours truly has a HUGE interview posted on Transworld Business’s website! It’s a GREAT article. We discuss all things business, both about The Surfboard Warehouse, Inc. and the surf industry as a whole. The best part is the article focused on Finatic! Why not right?!? We’re the ONLY company with anything like it! I have harped enough about it so I am sure YOU know how our Finatic Fin Testing Program works, however it was interesting to get Transworlds’ take on it! Anyway, there are also EXCLUSIVE pictures of myself and some of the staff in there as well! So, if you want to see our operation, our “Command Central” and “Packing Station One, as well as our “Fin Cube”, look no further. You won’t find pictures like this ANYWHERE else! Thanks for the support over the years. This should be a BIG year for us as we apply for “Surf Shop of the Year” and “Product of the Year” - for Finatic. As always if you need anything, or have any feedback please let me know! Article below IT’S DEFINITELY WORTH READING! Thanks again.

http://business.transworld.net/90714/features/the-surfboard-warehouse-founder-on-custom-board-fin-program/

FCS H3 Nexus Fin Review

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Sorry guys! I was thinking back to other fins I’ve tried and the FCS H3 Nexus Fins popped into my skull. I have tried both the FCS H3 Nexus Medium and Large fin sets. Again, being a borderline “Large” surfer (at 6’2″ 170lbs.) I PERSONALLY tend to use Medium Fins on smaller days and Larger fins on days where I might need the drive and hold as was the case here. On my Puerto Rico trip I did a little swell chasing and ended up at Luquillo Beach, an interesting, but not extremely well known punchy beach break on the North East side of P.R. The conditions weren’t epic by any means the day I was there, but some punchy head high bowls could be found. So, I paddled out with the FCS H3 Nexus Large Fins on my Q.F. Platypus and LOVED them, getting into the steep drops early and making waves that I wasn’t to sure I would make! (I know you’ve been there) I pulled one of the BIGGEST floaters of my life, that in my opinion I NEVER would have made had it not been for the FCS H3 Nexus Large Fins. Yet again I crossed paths with the H3‘s, though this time it was the FCS H3 Nexus Medium Fins back at home in the Gulf on a gutless 3 to 5 day and they were EXACTLY what I needed to get that little extra lift to make a borderline day SUPER FUN! Hope this helps, again try them for yourself with our Finatic Fin Testing Program.

These Fin “Reviews” are intended to be used as a comparison tool, so that YOU can get how particular fins worked for ME on MY boards in certain conditions. Remember, countless factors effect a fins performance, the best thing to do is become a Finatic and test fins on YOUR board at YOUR break for YOURSELF. None the less I hope my fin reviews HELP you make more informed, smarter, fin decisions.

FCS UL-7 Fins Review

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Yo, yo! Welcome to my FCS UL-7 Fin review! lol Anyway, on the same day I had trouble with the Future Fins Controller Quad on my Rat Rocket, I was also able to try the FCS UL-7 on my Quiet Flight Platypus. (It’s currently my favorite board, a 6’1″ with a bit less rocker and a bit wider nose, basically a F.L. shortboard through and through) If you read my previous fin review on the Controller Quad you would know that it was one of the better swells we’ve had in F.L. in a while, 5ft. - 7ft. easy with some 8ft. set waves. Winds were about 5 mph side shore, by any Florida surfers estimation, nothing to worry about. Again, I am 6’2″ 170lbs, so border line a large surfer. Had the waves been smaller I would have gone with the FCS UL-5, but it was chunky so I figured a bit more hold would be better and I was RIGHT! I LOVED the UL-7′s on this board with these waves. I had one of the best waves I’ve had in a while, a 7ft. left. WALL. I was able to drop in with no squirrellyness from my fins AT ALL and produce the drive I needed to do a MASSIVE carve high on the lip and make the drop, then hit a GIGANTIC snap off the top. On THIS day with THESE waves and THIS board the FCS UL-7 Fins made my session. The only way for you as a surfer to figure out what fins are best for you is to try them, again why we created Finatic. Good luck with your fin hunting! Until next time…

These Fin “Reviews” are intended to be used as a comparison tool, so that YOU can get how particular fins worked for ME on MY boards in certain conditions. Remember, countless factors effect a fins performance, the best thing to do is become a Finatic and test fins on YOUR board at YOUR break for YOURSELF. None the less I hope my fin reviews HELP you make more informed, smarter, fin decisions.

Future Fins Elevon Quad Review

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Hey Guys! I forgot that I have tried the Future Fins Elevon Quad Fins a few times, so again I figured I’d share. Please keep in mind you can try ALL the fins that Future Fins, FCS and Kinetik Racing Co. makes by becoming a Finatic! Anyway, so a few weeks back (if you follow me) you’ll know I went surfing in Puerto Rico. While I was there I was able to surf in Rincon! It wasn’t epic by any means, maybe only waist to chest (and that’s probably being a bit nice about it) but, considering the wave size I figured I would give the Future Fins Elevon Quad (Small) a shot! If you haven’t seen these fins yet, click one of the links within this post, they are some SICK, OUT THERE Fins! Again, I put these fins on my Rat Rocket (check the review on the Future Fins Controller Quad to get my board dims.) and they were EPIC, all things considered. On the relatively small mushy waves that Rincon offered up that day, I was in earlier (before the wave broke) and had enough speed to actually pull a few maneuvers. I was EASILY battling with SUP’ers for waves and was occasionally winning, ON MY 6’1″! I haven’t tried the Future Fins Elevon Quad Fins on bigger waves yet, but you know I will… And I’ll post it here when I do! Again, am border line a large surfer at 6’2″ 170lbs. But, the Elevon Quad Fins ROCKED it on this board, FOR ME, on THIS particular day.

These Fin “Reviews” are intended to be used as a comparison tool, so that YOU can get how particular fins worked for ME on MY boards in certain conditions. Remember, countless factors effect a fins performance, the best thing to do is become a Finatic and test fins on YOUR board at YOUR break for YOURSELF. None the less I hope my fin reviews HELP you make more informed, smarter, fin decisions.

Future Fins Controller Review

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Gd-Day Mate! (I think that’s how I would type it if I were Australian) I thought you all should know I hit GOOD East Coast surf Fri. in the 6ft. to 8ft. range and I was able to test some Fins! (You are too if you join Finatic) Anyway, I figured I would do a few posts on what I found out. First up, I tried the Future Fins Controller Quad on my 6’1″ Rat Rocket. It’s like a thick 5 Fin, Hybrid Swallow-tail Shortboard. (lol) I am 6’2″ 170lbs. and the waves had juice so I figured I would try something different AND considering all the factors I thought the Controller Quad wouldn’t be too much fin. But, I was WRONG. I did NOT like them on this particular board, it was FUNKY. The front boxes of the 5-fin set up on this board are WAY on the outside, that combined with the stingers allowed the long rake of the Controller Quads 2 front fins to actually stick out PAST the rails of the board. It looked a bit strange, but I figured I would give it a try anyway. IN CONCLUSION, FOR ME, ON THIS BOARD, the Future Fins Controller Quad are WAY to much fin. The board felt sluggish even during the paddle out. It would only move in a strait line. lol NO JOKE! No turn-ability what so ever. I think a bigger surfer might enjoy the Controller Quad just fine, or I might on a different board, so I’ll try them on another board SOON to find out!

These Fin “Reviews” are intended to be used as a comparison tool, so that YOU can get how particular fins worked for ME on MY boards in certain conditions. Remember, countless factors effect a fins performance, the best thing to do is become a Finatic and test fins on YOUR board at YOUR break for YOURSELF. None the less I hope my fin reviews HELP you make more informed, smarter, fin decisions.

Surf Mag. article in the cards?

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Check it out! I won’t say who, but I have been talking with the editor of a MAJOR surf Mag. and I MIGHT (key word MIGHT, nothing’s set in stone yet) have a monthly article appearing about surfboard fins! I appreciate ALL of your support with my writing in the past, hopefully I have refined it enough that my writing can make the cut! Here’s a sample piece that I wrote for the Mag. Let me know what you think!

Words from a Finatic™

Are fins important? ABSOLUTELY. Should you change them based on real time conditions? ABSOLUTELY. If you want to take your surfing to the NEXT level, fins are the key. Fins allow YOU to use one board across multiple conditions. Do I work for a fin company? lol NO. Do I surf, do I experiment with my fins more that anyone you’ve ever met? YES. Do I catch more waves? Do I push my own limits? YES. We won’t get into the “how” I have access to ALL of FCS’s, Future’s and Kinetik’s fins, just know that I do. Google “Finatic”™ if you like, otherwise take my word for it.

Now, let’s get the OBVIOUS out of the way, “Is it just hype, GREAT marketing by the fin companies in order to get YOU the consumer to buy Fins?” NO and YES. It is HYPE and it is GREAT marketing; but will fins change your surfing? ABSOLUTELY, the HYPE is for real. FCS, Futures and Kinetik Racing Co. all have signature fins. Why? To sell more fins?!? YES. But, it’s also because the BEST surfers in the world can tell the difference a few millimeters can make. They can tell the difference in a fins’ template, in a fins’ size, in more rake, less rake, more cant, less cant, more flex, less flex, more sweep, less sweep. Their feet feel it and if you pay close attention yours can too. (Tip of the day: A THIN traction pad will also help you “feel” your fins.)

First and foremost let’s not buy into a “Magic Fin”. Kelly is amazing, I mean my God did you see the MASSIVE no handed 360° air he pulled at the Quicksilver Pro. New York? I watched it over and over again and it was done on the FCS K-2.1 PC Quad. MAYBE even with the new Knubster as a 5th trailer fin. I’m certainly not the first one to call him a FREAK, but he is. Are his fins the key? Simple answer, for HIM, YES, for you, maybe not. I have been told that most professional surfers refine their fin templates over the course of 6 months to a year!! That means those fins are DEFINITELY dialed in for them, for you however, maybe not.

So, what’s the BEST approach to fin experimentation? How can you get pointed in the right direction, trying fins that are the best for YOU? First, identify your “problems”. Maybe you’re a pro. and you don’t “think” you have any problems… FINE. lol Then what are your weak areas? What do you want to do better? Start there, identify what you need from your board, chances are you can get “it” by changing up your fins. Next, look in the mirror. lol Seriously though! Look at your body type; are you a grom, or light weight? Are you a middle weight? Or are you a HEAVYWEIGHT? Use the guides that FCS, Futures and Kinetik give you. The FCS JW-1’s are AWESOME. I love them in a bit smaller surf, but if you’re a “Grom” or a “Big Guy” steer clear, they’ll be too stiff or too loose as the case maybe. The JW-1’s are a mid ranged fin! You like Jullian Willson, (who doesn’t right now) YOU like the pop of the orange and black ascetic, GREAT, but if you’re a grom or a Heavy Weight they’re NOT for you. I am 6’2”, 170 lbs. I am border line a LARGE surfer; I would only even consider these fins in smaller surf where I need my board to be a bit loose.

SO, what’s the take away? Do you have more questions now than you did at the beginning of this article?!? GOOD, YOU SHOULD! That means you’re thinking about your surfing… That means you’re thinking about your fins, which are quite possibly the most important finishing touch to a good board. TRUST ME, a fin change can make a good board GREAT, or a GREAT board terrible. (If you’re not choosing wisely) A fin change can allow you to make the section you’ve been having problems making. A fin change can add drive or loosen things up. The RIGHT fin change can change your surfing.

Chris Hough Founder & CEO of www.TheSurfboardWarehouse.com

The Home of Finatic™

Thoughts?!? Feedback?!? You know it’s always welcome… Thanks again!