Surfing is an exciting activity. For beginners, it is hard to understand how surfing works and the different elements that enable one to surf successfully. As with any other activities, the nature of the equipment you use plays a huge role in determining how the experience turns out to be.
When it comes to surfing, the nature of the surfboard you select and its features will determine what you can and what you cannot do when cruising across the waves. One of the most fundamental parts of the surfboards are the fins, and despite their small structure, they determine how well you can surf on different waters.
However, what would happen if you tried to surf without fins on your surfboard? Please keep reading below to find out!
Understanding Fins On A Surfboard
People who have never surfed don’t seem to be able to wrap their heads around how surfers can maneuver rigid waves and still control their boards. It all comes down to the fins, which to many is a silent feature of a surfboard.
Just as a boat needs a rudder, a surfboard without fins is useless, and you won’t have any control over the direction you are taking. This means that you will be completely at the mercy of the currents and waves.
Most of the surfboards you see today have some form of fin configuration, be it one, two, three, four, or even five. However, you might also come across the odd person with a board with no fins cruising on a low wave, albeit out of control. However, these finless boards require a lot of talent and experience for one to control them.
If you are just starting out, it is not safe to go for a finless board as the people who choose them took a long time before they were finally able to master a finless board. Finless boards are suitable for a specific type of surfing experience, and the cons of these styles overshadow the pros more often than not.
Can You Surf Without Fins?
The answer to this is yes. You can surf without fins, and as we mentioned above, some people do it. In terms of safety, it depends on whether you can control the board or not. It also depends on the surfing conditions.
However, these people who surf with finless boards represent the minority of surfers and have some mad skills to do this without much fuss. Besides, you might see them gliding across the waves, but you won’t notice the amount of work and technique they are putting in to help them stay in control and maneuver through the waves.
If you want to take this direction, be prepared to practice a lot and step outside the normal surfer echelon to perfect it. Note that there are some risks to it, as you might be less equipped to tackle the various surfing challenges that you will encounter.
Bottomline
Fins are crucial to surfing and try surfing without them, and you will notice the difference. You will come across different fin configurations, and they are all meant to help you get through various surfing experiences safely.
You will find the most basic single fin configuration suitable for basic surfing and the five fin configuration that gives you the flexibility to play around with all the different fins you may want to try on your board.
It’s important to look at additional factors such as the fin depth, base length, and rake as they all determine how the fin helps you while surfing. Some of these things are more easily taught by experience as you hit the waters rather than through theory, where you might not understand the differences so well.
At Beachin Surf, you can find the best fins for your surfboard with our huge range of surfboard accessories. Please feel free to come and visit our shop at 262 Maine Road, Toukley, NSW. We will be happy to show you around and assist you in finding the best fins for your surfboard.
Please call us today on (02) 4396 5159 or send us an inquiry.