3 fins vs. 1 fin system

[buffs94]

Hi, I am new to surfing and prefer a longboard. I surf on a 9 ft Wave Weapon epoxy in southern california. I have the typical 3 fin system but often I see longboarders using one fin. Can someone explain the difference? Which one is more suitable for the beginner? Thanks.

[JupiterSurfer]

I'm a novice as well and have been told that a three fin system provides more stability than a single fin. I'm interested to see what others have to say as well.

[pkbum]

Hi, I am new to surfing and prefer a longboard. I surf on a 9 ft Wave Weapon epoxy in southern california. I have the typical 3 fin system but often I see longboarders using one fin. Can someone explain the difference? Which one is more suitable for the beginner? Thanks.

I know that a 3 fins will provide more speed and more carving control and turn. Don't know why people would use the 1 fin... maybe more stability??

[parrysurf]

Hi, I am new to surfing and prefer a longboard. I surf on a 9 ft Wave Weapon epoxy in southern california. I have the typical 3 fin system but often I see longboarders using one fin. Can someone explain the difference? Which one is more suitable for the beginner? Thanks.

I know that a 3 fins will provide more speed and more carving control and turn. Don't know why people would use the 1 fin... maybe more stability??

The soul is in the single fin. Love the loose, glide you get with the single.

To be honest having surfed both for many years, I not sure why the still make the 3 fin logs?? Maybe for longboarders who are trying to fool themselves to thinking they surf more like shortboarders.

[Otter]

hehehe... that's a good one!

I've used both, frankly, the difference it will make in performance at your skill level won't be noticeable. In fact, I'll bet that truly, 90% of the surfer's wouldn't know the difference if their board had 1 or 3 fins, and I'm not sure about the other 10% either.

[boardrider]

hehehe... that's a good one!

I've used both, frankly, the difference it will make in performance at your skill level won't be noticeable. In fact, I'll bet that truly, 90% of the surfer's wouldn't know the difference if their board had 1 or 3 fins, and I'm not sure about the other 10% either.

Eh come on your kidding eh?

[Otter]

No, not kidding. To a beginner, it won't make a difference whether there are three fins or one. I don't think so anyway...

[pkbum]

No, not kidding. To a beginner, it won't make a difference whether there are three fins or one. I don't think so anyway...

What about a 6 fin and 1 fin?

[kitesurfer]

I agree with the guys above, as a beginer you are unlikely to be able to tell the difference as you will be way more concerned with the fact that you've just had a great ride without falling off as opposed to be being concerned as to how your fins performed.
However as you progress and so does your style then you may want to start thinking about fin set-ups.
Personally i think your style will dictate what type of fin set-up you want.
If you want to have a lazy/graceful style with fast down the line speed and big casual turns then go for a single fin. Big singles are also good for nose riding. A single fin fin will create less drag and more straight line speed, good for gliding, catching waves early and making long sections.
If however you want a more performance based style, hard turns, late drops and steeper waves then go for a more slender raked back centre fin with side biters and a board with more rocker. A thruster set-up will create more lift/drive in the critical section but also more drag when gliding on the face, hence the need to be more aggresive in your style.

KS

[J-B]

what about bonzers? 5 fin bonzers? Heard they give so much drive but do they drag on the face?

[Hangtensurfing]

I say for a beginner, go Single. The single has more drive than the 2 plus one and the sidebite fins tend to drag. The 2 plus one is better if you are able to make tight hi performance turns for the intermediate. Ideally, is get a board with a 2 plus one and take the sidebites off first and ride it as a single fin or change it around. Make sure you buy a bigger fin to ride it as a single fin.