Surfing Waves

I just bought a 9'6" log-type board. The shop was sold out of all the good fins, so I'm finless ATM.

Besides using this to catch tiny summer waves around here, I want to learn how to noseride and all the other basic/traditional longboarding moves.

Any advice for what (single) fin to get? Doesn't have to be noserider-specific. Maybe a "Jack of all trades" that still nose rides would be better?

Also, I know the rule of thumb is 1" for every foot of board length, but tail width also matters, right? (I.e. wider tail = longer fin.)

Thanks for the help!

XiloRider wrote:The shop was sold out of all the good fins,

Could you clarify what you mean by that ?

waikikikichan wrote:

XiloRider wrote:The shop was sold out of all the good fins,

Could you clarify what you mean by that ?

Oh, just really ugly “leftover” colors lol. I know it’s just cosmetic, but “off” colors bug me.

Any help on fin type and sizing would be appreciated.

The fin is on the bottom of your board, you not going to see it. What if the fin was "ugly" but performed so nice, would you use it ?

Could you post a photo of your "Log", that would help to figure what fin would work.

By the way, what fin did the shaper said to use ?

waikikikichan wrote:The fin is on the bottom of your board, you not going to see it. What if the fin was "ugly" but performed so nice, would you use it ?

Could you post a photo of your "Log", that would help to figure what fin would work.

By the way, what fin did the shaper said to use ?

I'd still use it, but since I have a choice, more or less, I may as well just get a cool color.

Here's the board: https://www.vernorsurfboards.com/board-page/log

He made mine less thick and a bit narrower, so the volume is closer to 80. 9'6".

I was told to contact Rainbow for a recommendation. Thanks!

Damn ! That's sure is a lot of rocker.

If you're going with Rainbow Fin Co. , I would recommend:

1) Mikey Detemple MD3 - because it's most similar to the Greenough 4A fin

2) RFC TK FLEX - I loved that fin for waves we have in Hawaii

3) Any of the "Pivot" style fins will match your Log. But I'm not sure if you can push that type just yet.

waikikikichan wrote:Damn ! That's sure is a lot of rocker.

If you're going with Rainbow Fin Co. , I would recommend:

1) Mikey Detemple MD3 - because it's most similar to the Greenough 4A fin

2) RFC TK FLEX - I loved that fin for waves we have in Hawaii

3) Any of the "Pivot" style fins will match your Log. But I'm not sure if you can push that type just yet.

I'd like to try the pivot-type stuff, but...I don't know how to "pivot" LOL I'm not wedded to any brand; just the company the shaper suggested. I think I'll do something more all-around like the MD3/4a where I can transition from my existing skillset.

Rainbow actually just responded to me. They suggested the "Fringe" and "El Gato" if I still want to turn normally (more or less) and the Nomad and Quintal where I'd have to step back to turn.

I actually just contacted True Ames too. They said "California Classic."

XiloRider wrote:I actually just contacted True Ames too. They said "California Classic."

Instead of the California Classic, I really like the Farberow Flex. But even better I love the Greenough 4A.

XiloRider wrote:I'd like to try the pivot-type stuff, but...I don't know how to "pivot" LOL

If you don't know how to do a pivot turn or a drop knee turn, how are you going to turn a "Log" which demands that type of turns ?

Did you let Rainbow Fin Co. know that when they recommended the El Gato ?

waikikikichan wrote:

XiloRider wrote:I actually just contacted True Ames too. They said "California Classic."

Instead of the California Classic, I really like the Farberow Flex. But even better I love the Greenough 4A.

I'll probably just go with 4a. I actually see a lot of those around here.

waikikikichan wrote:

XiloRider wrote:I'd like to try the pivot-type stuff, but...I don't know how to "pivot" LOL

If you don't know how to do a pivot turn or a drop knee turn, how are you going to turn a "Log" which demands that type of turns ?

Did you let Rainbow Fin Co. know that when they recommended the El Gato ?

I intend to learn those ASAP. My understanding is you can still do (weak) "normal" turns. I'll be going mostly down the line at first anyway.

I told them I'm new to this type of board and that I intend to learn the basics as well as nose riding.

XiloRider wrote:I want to learn how to noseride and all the other basic/traditional longboarding moves.

XiloRider wrote:My understanding is you can still do (weak) "normal" turns. I'll be going mostly down the line at first anyway.

Question, how can you get the board going parallel to the wave going down the line when at first your board is pointed to the beach on the take off ? You have to do the firsts of turns, the BOTTOM TURN. Logs can't ( will it's not easy ) turn like how you turn a thruster or 2+1. Even if it was an all-around longboard shape with a single fin, it still takes patience to wait for the fin to load up and release. "Weak" normal turns ? Nope, "Harder" than normal turns especially having to control, sink and engage that wide Log tail.

Don't get me wrong, the advice that Rainbow Fin Co. gave you for the El Gato and Fringe, would probably be a better noseriding fin than the Greenough 4A. But you're not at that level/stage yet. I'm thinking the Greenough will help you with learning the basics of single fin riding and doing pivot turns.

If you want to learn to "Log", then watch these two surfers. Toots and Tyler.





Notice how they have to Pick up the nose, Pivot off the tail, then Lay the nose back down.

waikikikichan wrote:
Question, how can you get the board going parallel to the wave going down the line when at first your board is pointed to the beach on the take off ? You have to do the firsts of turns, the BOTTOM TURN. Logs can't ( will it's not easy ) turn like how you turn a thruster or 2+1. Even if it was an all-around longboard shape with a single fin, it still takes patience to wait for the fin to load up and release. "Weak" normal turns ? Nope, "Harder" than normal turns especially having to control, sink and engage that wide Log tail.

Don't get me wrong, the advice that Rainbow Fin Co. gave you for the El Gato and Fringe, would probably be a better noseriding fin than the Greenough 4A. But you're not at that level/stage yet. I'm thinking the Greenough will help you with learning the basics of single fin riding and doing pivot turns.

Yeah, looks like I'll definitely have a learning curve. The log will first be ridden on waves 1-2 feet, so there's not much of a turn there. just take off at an angle.

I'm leaning toward the Greenough (or equivalent). You're correct, I'm not ready for riding the nose (though I'm definitely gonna cross-step toward there this summer).

waikikikichan wrote:
Notice how they have to Pick up the nose, Pivot off the tail, then Lay the nose back down.

Yeah, I like how they do cutbacks like that. I like the drop-knee turns too.

Aside, I notice the (good) longboarders at my home break kick out in a similar way. I don't know what it's called. They end their ride way back on their board and stomp the tail. The front of the board just flicks up into their hands as they rotate over what's left of the wave and paddle back out. Super cool.

Here is a pivot fins to Match any pivot fins around.
3D Printer and modelled after the pectoral fins of a Humpback whale, made by Roy Stewart in New Zealand. Roy BTW ride and makes very long boards from 12ft up, and pushing the performance levels there.

Like all pivot fins, placement in the centre box is as far towards the tail as you can. Notice that this shows my personal sweet spot directly under the rise on the back of the traction pad!
Answer to many surf questions , it is what works for me

jaffa1949 wrote:

IMG_4887.jpeg

Here is a pivot fins to Match any pivot fins around.
3D Printer and modelled after the pectoral fins of a Humpback whale, made by Roy Stewart in New Zealand. Roy BTW ride and makes very long boards from 12ft up, and pushing the performance levels there.

Like all pivot fins, placement in the centre box is as far towards the tail as you can. Notice that this shows my personal sweet spot directly under the rise on the back of the traction pad!
Answer to many surf questions , it is what works for me

I like the idea of deriving design inspiration from Nature/animals.