Surfing Waves

Hi!,

I am in need of some assistance. Being a beginner surfer of approx 80 kilograms, I have a beginner to advanced custom polyester board. These are the specs of my surfboard handmade by Charles Williams: 7.6’ – 21 5/8 – 2 5/8.



Now the fins that came with this second hand are the plastic black ones. The ones that I really like are these:
http://www.surffcs.com/shop/surf-thrusters/mf-1-tri-set

Actually MF1 (Mick Fannings fins) are for pipeline style surfboards and a heavy surfer. How would these perform on my board in 1 to 2 meter surf in France?

Thx very much

About as well as your own personal skill level. The fins will not do anything for you . Save your money, get your skills up on the fins supplied!
If the board is second hand then it is not a custom board, it might have been for the previous owner if it was made for his requirements.

An example, I am an experienced surfer, I am going to ride a specific break so I go to my shaper, talk about dimensions shape bottom contours and he makes it to fit my needs. CUSTOM.

Custom on rack = sale jive nothing else.
Don't worry your. Board is a reasonable basic board

I actually have those fins. I'm 80kg or so and was for a 7ft4 board.

They are too big. Turning is almost impossible even in head high surf. I ended up using the centre fin and some very small side fins to reduce the fin area. You need to have a lot of speed and a lot of power to use them.

I recommend against them for your situation. A stiff hard to turn board is exactly what you don't want as a learner

There are plenty of other fins a bit smaller, M5 size. For a beginner can I particularly recommend pro teck fins, with a soft edge (get the white ones). But others are fine

the cheap plastic ones will also be fine for a while

Nice board

radical ronald wrote:I have a beginner to advanced custom polyester board.

Beginner to advance baseball bat ? Beginner to advance bowling ball ? Beginner to advance motorcycle ? I guess there are those things. But what you have is a Mini-mal or a wide nose Fun Board. But that's a lot of rocker in the nose.

radical ronald wrote:Actually MF1 (Mick Fannings fins) are for pipeline style surfboards and a heavy surfer. How would these perform on my board in 1 to 2 meter surf in France?

Didn't you just answer your own question ? If you say it's meant for Pipeline ( although some surfer were just using it at the Brazil Pro in beachbreak ) are you surfing a wave in France like Pipe ? But the bigger more serious question is why is a beginner going out in 2 meter waves on a Mini-Mal ? What fin ( plastic, fiberglass, composite ) doesn't matter in your situation.

It's more the looks of these fins that attract me. When I started windsurfing some 40 years ago, as a kid, I couldn't purchase the Rainbow fins that I loved (too expensive). Now they're not manufactured anymore and I'd like to decorate this board with the fins that I like. But I actually hoped for some increase in performance. Well I can forget about that...

The board is rather nice, but the fins are substanderd ones. Actually I believe MF surfs these fins on all the world tour events, not only at Pipeline.

Get them!! If it puts a smile on your face and makes you happy you won't be hurting anyone!! except maybe your ability to turn according to those in the know

If there's been a nagging disappointment in your life for 40 years mate you HAVE to buy these, not for surfing, not for us but for you! Trust me. Or you could just fine a pair that look just as good but have a smaller surface area and will actually help but buddy we all go surfing to make us feel good, if this makes you a happy bunny DO IT!!

Also, nice board.

P.s. I'm looking at a set of either tokoro or jordy smith mediums for my board, I don't need them, I'll prob never feel the difference but they look good! Heard a good idea on here, performance based rewards. When I can do X I'm gonna treat myself to Y but you've waited 40 years, treat yourself!!

P.p.s Don't go out in 2metre high waves you will die!!

Simple if you are buying them for appearance and they make your board look pretty to you.
So be it, if you are looking for them to allow you to rip, tear and lacerate the wave. then develop the skills to emulate Mick Fanning, then they will market an RR Raging Ronald fin and you will have some sponsorship $$$$s coming your way.
Have a look at Uncle Jaffa's Fin primer see if that helps you decide beyond appearance.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16523

One more thing unless you are surfing well and hanging them out in turns the only time they will be visible will be when you walk to and from the water.

Thx for the response! I have to think first what to do next. I value the review from DTC, at the same time I don't see many other fins available in Europe that are really nice. Basicly it's FCS fins that they sell here and that's it.

Thanks Jaffa, I am going to read your instruction set. I already read the instructions on the FCS website. What I understand from FCS is that these MF1 fins are size L, which would be the ideal size for my weight (approx. 80kg just like DTC). However DTC states it's better to have smaller fins. On a windsurfer a smaller fin will be used in higher wind (higher speed) conditions with also higher waves. Smaller fins tend to feel more loose, but they lack in planing ability (start planing very late). I guessed that I'd be better off with a bit bigger fins because I assumed it would allow the board to plane early after which it becomes stable and you are able to standup (without holding on to a sail ). Even standingup is hard at this time...

What fins would you guys recommend and kike best for my board with a surfer of 80kg?

radical ronald wrote:What fins would you guys recommend and kike best for my board with a surfer of 80kg?

I recommend the ones that are currently on the board right now as is. Seriously, surf the board how it came. Get used to the board paddling, catching, bottoming turning, carving, kicking out FIRST before you start messing with it. Learn to ride the board that's not powered by the wind, but by you working with and against the wave. After you learned all the ins and outs of the board, THEN get different fins.

You say they have FCS where you are. Are they any places that have the FCS Test Drive service where you can try out fins for free ? Then you can tell yourself which fin is best for you.

radical ronald wrote:Thx for the response! I have to think first what to do next. I guessed that I'd be better off with a bit bigger fins because I assumed it would allow the board to plane early after which it becomes stable and you are able to standup (without holding on to a sail ). Even standingup is hard at this time...

What fins would you guys recommend and kike best for my board with a surfer of 80kg?

Stick with the current ones, the whole methodology of surfing and where planing speed are relevant is different.
A simple example paddle for wave you need to exceed the speed of the wave to a point where gravity takes over and invites you to drop down the face, you need to be standing as you take the drop not waiting until the wave gives you planing speed. Planing speed in that case would come from making the drop and converting gravitational acceleration into planing speed across the face with a good bottom turn.
The first feeling of the drop ( the fall line if you like) is where standing occurs and surprisingly the board ( the right one) will be quite stable.
The vectoring of forces is entirely different as you are not playing with the wind nor using it and it's pull as a counter balance.
nor are the fins acting like a keel fulcrum against wind power
You have to get yourself standing and doing it in the moment at the bottom of the drop is very difficult and a major failing for beginners.
I am coming back from a serious knee injury and tomorrow I will be reminded about drops, knees and pop up coordination> I expect some humble pie in my face

jaffa1949 wrote:you need to be standing as you take the drop not waiting until the wave gives you planing speed.

Oh man, so much this^^ you coulda written that for me Jaffa, I'm forever taking it too late. Sheer bone-idle laziness is what it is but thanks so much. Gotta learn how to catch it early!!

Jester wrote:Gotta learn how to catch it early!!

Relax your fingers and don't hold your breath on the paddle.

Have you been hiding there watching me this whole time?!! always holding my breath.. Thanks again sensei

Hope it all goes well jaffa

dtc wrote:Hope it all goes well jaffa

Choosing my tide!!!! Nervous as hell!

I hear last weekend was (as my friend said) either a barrel ride or a rag doll roll. Hope it's nice and gentle and glassy

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