Twin fin on a longboard?

[Johnny Doo Wop]

So I'm learning to surf, and I rent a soft top every weekend because I want to really figure out what style and size I like best before I purchase. I have no problems getting up and riding waves straight towards the beach but have had a big problem turning the board and riding along the wave. Every time I try to turn the board moves a little bit but then immidiately recorrects itself back to going straight towards the beach.

So today I rented a soft top, either a '8 or '9, not sure because they don't say, and it was only a twin fin. I thought it odd since I've only seen this set up on fish, but took it anyway. For the first time ever I was able to turn the board and ride along the wave, having my longest and best rides ever. Granted, I did really take note of the technique for turning (weight back and twisting your shoulders) but I can't help think, was it the twin fin that made it that much easier? Or is my technique just getting better? I'm considering only going twin fin from now on!

[Johnny Doo Wop]

Anybody? Come on, help me out here. Does a twin fin really make a board that much looser? If so, is it a good idea for newbie to start with a twin fin set up to make turning easier?

[billie_morini]

My goodness, Johnny Doo Wop is stoked! Yes, two fins on a longboard makes the board looser. There are not many longboards with a set-up like this because it doesn't take much surf to overwhelm the fins. Then it's like surfing an ancient board without fins. You just happened to hit the right conditions for this to work. That won't happen often and you are better using one single fin on a longboard. With this, you can have looseness with real keel when waves and currents demand a planted fin.

[Rickyroughneck]

How big was the fin on the boards you tried? Perhaps the issue was that the fin was too small for you to push off.

I have memories of starting on foamies which were about 24" or wide or so with a tiny fin. Impossible to turn, leaning just digs the rail and one falls off while the board continues going straight forward.

It sounds to me like you would benefit more from a 2+1 fin setup. I can't imagine twin fin being favourable for anything other than being an alternative to a thruster config' for high performance longboards.

[Johnny Doo Wop]

Thanks for the responses. And yes, I am STOKED!! As for the two fins being overwhelmed by powerful waves, well, I've been surfing at Doheny in Dana Point, so the waves are super slow, mushy and small. Maybe that's why the two fins worked. I guess when I buy a board I could start out using just two fins at Doheney, and then on a bigger day or when I'm ready to move to a bigger spot, screw the third fin in.

As for the post that said "I have memories of starting on foamies which were about 24" or wide or so with a tiny fin. Impossible to turn, leaning just digs the rail and one falls off while the board continues going straight forward." This happens to me a lot as well. I thought it was just my bad form (I'm sure that has something to do with it as well), but its a relief to know bigger fins will help this problem. When I buy a board I'll be sure to get one with some decent sized fins. Thanks.

[Katsura]

Hold on, are you saying you are surfing with just the 2 side bites?

A proper twin fin set up should theoretically have fins bigger than your standard side bites on a 2+1 design...

I like the loose feeling of twin and quad fins, but for longboarding, nothing beats a single big skeg at the back (IMO).

[billie_morini]

Johnny,
to follow-up from what Kat was saying: You should be using a large single fin on a long board, not the two side bites. You'd add the side bits when you need more stability and or speed. Classic surfing history has long proven, you need at least one large single fin on a long board. You'll like the way you have control for sweeping arcs and, yet, have a bit of looseness.

[dafoink]

Johnny,
to follow-up from what Kat was saying: You should be using a large single fin on a long board, not the two side bites. You'd add the side bits when you need more stability and or speed. Classic surfing history has long proven, you need at least one large single fin on a long board. You'll like the way you have control for sweeping arcs and, yet, have a bit of looseness.

Hi Billie Morini,

I think that there is an exception to every rule. while clasic surfing history has long prooven the center fin stability, I think there is always room for experimentation.

One of my favorite boards is a quad plus 1. where I can set it up with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 fins. of all different sizes.

Here is a nice example of a setup that will allow you to turn your board like a ball bearing:
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=979167AF2594AA23&id=979167AF2594AA23%211118&sc=photos

you can see that there are 2 large side biters up front, and then a really small 3" in the middle (but pushed far up). This setup will allow you to really turn the board on a dime. It isnt great for carving, but is quite fun on a small day where you just want to play.

Have fun with fins. by spending a little on a new fin setup, you can get a completely different board without going to the expense of buying a whole new board.

[jaffa1949]

There have been longboards with big side bites as a twinfin board and they were ridden well but by pro level surfer.
The twin was originally designed for the contests of the day that were held in mush burgers and Mark Richards used their skatey ability to take four world championships, he also rode them well in quality power surf. The only answer to that ability to turn came when the thruster was born and suddenly even your middle range surfers were carving like never before.
Dafoink and Billie have it right but for soft top it's whatever floats your boat, eventually as your skill improves you will notice the specific limitations and upgrade.