How to Choose the Right Surfboard Fins
Straight up guide from Beachin Surf
Your fins change how your board feels — speed, control, looseness, drive. Here’s exactly what to look for so you don’t waste time or money.
1. What Setup Does Your Board Use?
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Thruster (3 fins): Most common. Balanced. Great all-rounder.
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Quad (4 fins): Fast and drivey. Good for beachies or hollow waves.
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Twin (2 fins): Loose, fast, fun. Great for small days or fish boards.
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Single fin: Smooth and cruisy. For longboards.
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5 fin plugs: Flexibility — ride as thruster or quad.
✅ Only buy fins that match your board’s setup.
2. What Size Fins Do You Need?
| Your Weight | Fin Size |
|---|---|
| Under 65kg | Small |
| 65–80kg | Medium |
| Over 80kg | Large |
Too small = loose. Too big = stiff. Not sure? Go medium.
3. What Do You Want the Board to Feel Like?
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More speed? Quad or wider-base fins
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Tighter turns? Upright fins
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More hold/control? Raked fins or larger size
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More release/snaps? Smaller centre fin
4. What Material Should You Get?
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Plastic: Cheap and solid for learners
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Performance Core (PC): Best feel, flex, and control
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Carbon: Super responsive — for advanced surfers
✅ Most surfers should go PC or fibreglass.
5. What Should You Actually Buy?
| Rider/Board Type | Best Fin Option |
|---|---|
| Learner on shortboard | Medium plastic thruster set |
| Intermediate shortboarder | PC thruster or quad set |
| Fish board rider | Twin fin set |
| Longboard | 9” single fin |
| All-round shortboard user | PC thruster + optional quad set |
| Performance surfer | Carbon or stiffer PC set |
Need Help?
Bring your board or show us a photo — we’ll match you with the right set, no dramas.
📍 Beachin Surf, Toukley
✔️ Real advice. Quality gear. No B