What Are Twin Fin Surfboards For?

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What are twin fin surfboards for?

With the number of surfboard designs on the scene, it’s hard to pick out which one is best for you. Whether it’s a single fin, twin fin, thruster, with soft or hard rails, knowing what you’re looking for in a board is key—and if you’re looking for stability, maneuverability, and speed—the twin fin surfboard is the right board for you.

The twin fin surfboard has two fins near the tail instead of one, making the board more stable and provide better maneuverability. Twin fin boards will be thicker with more volume for buoyancy, allowing for higher speeds. They are best used on smaller waves for fast, quick turns and are best suited for intermediate surfers.

The twin fin board has its part to play in the history of surfing, but what does it look like, and how does it work? Read on to find out more about this innovative design, what it does, and how it can change your style of surfing.

What is a twin fin surfboard?

A twin fin surfboard is simply a surfboard that instead of a single fin, has two. Their shape can vary from board to board, but a modern twin-fin will sit deeper into the water and have a narrower base. Most are positioned somewhere between five inches and 10 and a half inches from the tail, depending on the size of the fin and the purpose of the board. The higher on the board they’re placed, the looser the ride will feel; the further back they are placed, the more stability you will have.

Note that the location of the fins will depend on where you place your back foot. If your back foot is higher up on the back of the board, you will want your fins higher if you wish the ride to be looser, and if you want more stability, the fins should be placed lower.

Some twin fin boards have more of a keel than the modern twin fin shape—these are much larger and do not sit as deep into the water. While they can be placed in the same location as the twin fins, they can be canted, or turned, several degrees in for best performance. If you are looking to have speed and hold without sacrificing too much control, the keel twin fin design is best for you.

Twin fin boards have many different designs, but the most popular is the fish surfboard. Fish surfboards will be smaller in length but thicker, allowing you to take advantage of the maneuverability that comes with the twin fins.

They will appear to have a V-shaped cut out of the tail, which is also called a swallowtail.

Twin fin surfboards hit the scene in the 1940s when Bob Simmons, who is widely considered the father of the modern surfboard, looked into new keels and hulls that can help surfers have better control in the face of the wave. While the twin-fin design has gone through many variations since then, it really came to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, lending itself to the popular fish surfboard design.

The twin fin fell out of style in the 1980s when the thruster—a three-finned surfboard—was introduced, but favor has quickly shifted back to the twin fin style. They are now considered retro, but due to their agility and simplicity, more surfers are putting these boards back in their quivers.

What does the twin fin do?

Because you have two fins instead of one on your board, your board will move with better maneuverability. Since the fin is not in the center of the board, your speed will increase, as it is not creating as much drag. Most boards with two fins will have more bulk, along with softer rails and more volume for buoyancy.

Their design and maneuverability will allow you to trim your board easily and make more aggressive turns, lending itself to better and more precision tricks and aerials. They will also help you to create more speed, even on smaller waves.

Twin fin surfboards are also more stable than a single fin board due to the fact that the boards are usually wider at the tail, giving you more surface area when standing.

One downside to a twin fin setup is that while you have better maneuverability, that maneuverability may turn into a lack of control and stability in larger waves. The fins sit at a parallel, so there is no fin in the middle of the deck, which can make you feel less in control.

Do you know how much your surfboard weighs? Find out here.

What are the challenges of surfing on a twin fin surfboard?

Switching to a twin fin surfboard can sometimes be difficult, mostly because of the slipping you may feel due to the lack of center fin. With increased maneuverability and agility comes a need for focus and control, so you may feel like you are moving too much on the wave. Focus on surfing on your rails and staying low on your board to learn how to ride the twin fin properly.

You will also have to get used to the responsiveness of the twin fin—again, because of that lack of a center fin, your board will respond easier to your movements and shift faster in the water. Twin fin boards also have a little rocker, or curve, to the board, which will affect the way you surf. This lack of rocker may make your board snap-through turns and force the outside rail out of the water, so do not push turns as hard.

Another tip is crouching low after you take off—getting used to the extra speed and agility may be difficult at first, so crouching will help you manage your turns better with your new board. As you cruise, work on using the entire board, so you can get used to both the rocker and keep the nose out of the water.

With those challenges come advantages—a twin fin fish surfboard with its extra volume will make it very easy for you to paddle and catch those waves.

If you’re looking for a surf session on smaller waves and want better speed and maneuverability, the twin fin surfboard is the right one for you. Because they can be loose in the waves, most twin fins are meant for more experienced surfers—knowing how they work and when to use one before you head out into the water can make the difference between a good session and a great one.