Surfing Waves

Hi all, after reading through LOADS of previous posts i cant seem to find what I'm after (tho lots of other useful bits)...I am a watersports instructor who's spreading his wings and learning to surf by touch and feel
after owning a mini mal with a thruster setup for a couple of years, ive branched out to buy a longboard due to the usual small conditions where i live.
its come with a 2+1 setup...a few points I'd love some help on
1. i know that if i have all three, that should give me better grip and speed?...but can i use just the side fins and not the middle? and if so what does that do for the handling?

2. I'm looking to go old school and walk the board, nose ride etc...so is it just the single fin at the back? and if so, what can i do to the holes that will be left?

the side fins (bites?) are LOK BOX fins if that's any help?
any info is HUGELY appreciated and taken onboard as a student
thanks

A's to Q's.
1) 2 + 1 = greater stability, sharper turns, more responsiveness. Surf with only large single fin and experience looser control and less precision. These differences are not bad things; only different and, of course, more original (and accounts for the fluidness of good historical longboard surfers). Sidebites only will not provide enough control. There is too much board for little sidebits. However, it'll give you a sense of what surfing was like before fins were attached to boards. Again, not a bad thing; only different. Mortals like me, however, don't do well without at least one large fin.

2a) Yes, it is only the single large fin used for board walking (usually). "Usually" added because there are many surfers and many conditions. Also, recognize you'll only be able to do so much nose standing, but you'll be able to do a lot of walking. There are longboards specifically designed for nose standing (hanging 5 or 10 for long rides). That said, don't be persuaded not to try and learn with with what you have. No need to buy one of these special longboards. [Analogy: aspiring guitar players think they have to have a specific Fender, Gibson, Les Paul, etc to play the songs of their favorite rock musician. They often buy something much more expensive than they need and become frustrated because they can't sound like their idol. What they lack and fail to grasp, is the ability to play the instrument. If you can play it, it'll do amazing things and pretty much sound like you want it to.]

2b) You will do nothing with the holes remaining when you pull the side bites out.

beachbumuk wrote:its come with a 2+1 setup...a few points I'd love some help on
1. i know that if i have all three, that should give me better grip and speed?...but can i use just the side fins and not the middle? and if so what does that do for the handling?

2. I'm looking to go old school and walk the board, nose ride etc...so is it just the single fin at the back? and if so, what can i do to the holes that will be left?

the side fins (bites?) are LOK BOX fins if that's any help?
any info is HUGELY appreciated and taken onboard as a student
thanks

My take on Question part 1 if you only have the side fins ( bites) they have the secret very old school Alaia type ingredient L this fits after the S on side and shows you the direction the board takes with most lesser skilled mortals. If you have strong tail rocker even having three small thruster type configuration fins will produce this effect when laying over for a turn with a long board.
Any movement towards the nose past the fulcrum will begin to lift the tail, the result a standing island pullout as the tail slide shoreward faster than the nose.

For nose rides a deeper centre fin +2 works but to finesse nose riding and be able to side shift the board down the face whilst riding the nose is easier with a single, ( watch old videos of Mickie Dora or Phil Edwards) Look to cross step back and forth from the nose as the shufle works but is a little more unbalanced, as I suggest to all who surf try the different options suggested by everyone, take what works and make it your own.
Part 2 be an all rounder have a selection of moves from all eras combine them in your own approach to surf.

At 62 and over 50 years surfing I do everything except aerial stuff, because it hadn't been invented.
The fun part is trying to invent a graceful flow from an aggressive short boards move to a walk up to the nose and back.
The results are surprising sometimes

hey guys, thanks for taking the time...both helpful, but just quickly, Jaffa...i have no idea what you were saying in your first paragraph...sorry, it might just be my lack of terminology.

I have an 8" centre fin the guy i bought it from sent with, but i think it was just one lying about, after reading a fwe other posts, will 8" be ok? or should i look at a longer one?
with regards to the empty fin boxes at the side if i go for a single fin, will they not cause bad/unbalancing drag?

hoping to take her out this sunday sow ill find out one way or another how it is...apart from cold lol

thanks again

You are welcome, beachbum. Here are more Q's & A's:

Q. I have an 8" centre fin the guy i bought it from sent with, but i think it was just one lying about, after reading a fwe other posts, will 8" be ok? or should i look at a longer one?
A. Could be fine. It's the shortest you'd want. My wife uses an 8 inch fin on her longboard. She doesn't try to do much except catch waves. Nine to 10 inch is necessary for some. It depends on the waves and what you do. You must try it because it is what you have. It may work for you. I use a 9 inch fin on my longboard. Is there much difference between 8 and 9 inches? It depends on the board shape, the waves, what you do, etc.

Q. with regards to the empty fin boxes at the side if i go for a single fin, will they not cause bad/unbalancing drag?
A. You will not even notice the lock boxes as you artfully catch waves, pop up without turbulance, and gracefully race along the wave. Seriously, "No. There will be no noticeable drag or unbalanced performance."

Now, get out there and surf! Post a photo from Sunday, if you can. It can be you and board in water or on beach. The primary thing is for you to go surfing.

beachbumuk wrote:hey guys, thanks for taking the time...both helpful, but just quickly, Jaffa...i have no idea what you were saying in your first paragraph...sorry, it might just be my lack of terminology.

I have an 8" centre fin the guy i bought it from sent with, but i think it was just one lying about, after reading a fwe other posts, will 8" be ok? or should i look at a longer one?
with regards to the empty fin boxes at the side if i go for a single fin, will they not cause bad/unbalancing drag?

hoping to take her out this sunday sow ill find out one way or another how it is...apart from cold lol

thanks again

I know my little poke at a joke failed when I have to explain it. The jokes on me!
Anyway L added to side means slide which is what alaias (old Hawaiian surf boards) do, when people like me try to ride them.
Everything else is useful to your surfing the information about smaller fins and rocker holds true but the 8" will be good for starters.
The fin boxes won't cause you any imbalance or noticeable drag.
memo to me don't be a smartarse!
I meant everything about mixing moves from all eras.
I' ll just shut up and hope you'll enjoy your surfing.
If you

haha its cool theres always inside jokes!
thanks for the input tho it is totaly appriciated! every little helps as they say!

I am intending to enjoy my surfing! when the waves decied they wnat to play ball and let me!

Alex

Hey guys just to let you know! got my middle fin in...plonked it anywhere in the box and too my new board out for a ride on sunday...

when i did manage to catch the waves without Catapulting towards the beach....she rides amazingly well...putting back for on the tail, shes turns liek a dream!

thanks to you both for your help and info really appriciate it!

A

Now you've gone and done it! Your life will never be the same but you will have good times and frustrating times but you will improve each time. lots of little victories to look forward to.
Next step in your single finnyness try different positions in the fin box, forward for looseness back for tightness. Pencil mark beside the box which is your favourite spot. Then try different fins there!

A bit of advice go to second hand shops,junkyards anywhere boards go to die, sometimes you can salvage fins as a lot of people don't know to save them.
When you get some you can play around with sanding and foiling them yourself. Be protective of your health wear a mask and eye protection while you sand particularly with power tools .