Soft Short Boards

[chuckcallahan]

Hey Gang,

Had a question for you guys about soft short boards. I'm an intermediate surfer, I've already got the 9'0 catch surf and I'm looking for a soft short board. Is it easier to generate more speed on a twin fin or tri fin thruster? Here are the three boards I'm looking at and let me know if you guys have any suggestions.

https://www.wavebandit.com/collections/performer/products/410-performer-mini-twin-fin?variant=31867757789266

https://catchsurf.com/products/54-special-thruster-46

https://www.wavebandit.com/collections/performer/products/56-performer-tri-fin?variant=31867809792082

I'm 6'0 tall and weigh 170

[waikikikichan]

The 4'10 twin fin is too small for you.

Fins don't generate speed, YOU do. I understand your question, which fin set up makes it easier to generate speed....... BUT the dynamics of taking off, where you have to take off, popping up, bottom turning and setting your rail greatly differs from a big 9'0".

BUT as advice, I would "learn" on the thruster before moving to a twin. Thruster should have more drive if your not on rail as much as you need to be. If you don't know how to be on rail the Twin will just feel "pivoty".

On the 54 special, because it can utilize "real" FCS fins, you can leave off the back center fin and add to large sides to make it into a twin.

If you're just pulling in to beach break closeouts right from the take off, then maybe the 4'10" twin will be fun for that purpose.

[chuckcallahan]

Thanks Waikikichan, so I'm definitely going to go thruster now per your advice, if you were in my shoes would you pick the 6'0 performer 5'6 performer or the 54 special? I think those 54 specials are only 4'6 but obviously have a ton of volume. (Blair who is a surfing magician unlike me is 5'11 165).

I just see these guys absolutely ripping on these 54 specials, man they look so fun but also realizing these guys are 1000x better than me lol. Also do you have any idea what kind of track pad Blair has on his 54 special?

[waikikikichan]

May I ask what is the shortest board you have actual "surfed" on ( not just ridden ). If you haven't already been riding a 7'-ish fun board, I don't think any of those sizes will suit you currently.

I normally ride a 9'0", but bought a 6'6" Sally Fitzgibbons softech and a 6'0" Odysea McGee to handle beach break here in Japan. I find myself always trying to borrow the 6'6" from my wife as it much easier to get on waves than the 6'0".