Quad Fin

Quad Fin

How to Choose Surfing Gear

Surfing doesn't require a lot of gear, but it's important to choose the right gear. Ability, location, and climate are just a few factors that determine the best surfing gear for you. A Surfboard, most likely a wetsuit, and a few accessories are really all you need.

There are many types of surfboards. Longboards are 9ft or longer. These are definitely the best kind of surfboards to learn on. They float well and catch slow moving waves the best. Funboards are shaped like longboards with wide tails and noses, but shorter at 7ft to 9ft in length. These are best for longboarders moving on to something smaller or for less than full sized adults that are learning to surf. Fishboards are very short but wide surfboards that make for a good progression from funboards. They work great in smaller, weaker surf while offering more manuevarability than longboards or funboards. Shortboards are for more advanced surfers and offer the most performance. They are also the hardest boards to paddle and not the surfboards to learn on. The two main construction types of surfboards are epoxy and traditional. Epoxy is becoming very popular because of the lighter weight and high strength, but many lack the same drive and performance of traditonal construction. Fin setup is also a major consideration for surfboards. Tri fins are popular with many surfboards. Twin fins and Quad setups are common with fishboards. Single fins come with many longboards. Of course you need some surf wax for that surfboard.

For colder climates , which is most of the US most of the time, wetsuits are a mandatory part of your surfing gear. There are two types of common wetsuits for surfing, full suits and spring suits. Full suits are for water temps in the low sixty degrees (fahrenheit) and lower. 3/2 mm thickness are used from about mid sixties to mid fifties. 4/3 mm thickness for mid fifties to high forties. Below that full suits with 5/4 mm thickness are in order. Spring suits, depending on your comfort level, are used in the low seventy degrees to mid sixties. Booties and hoods are also used with colder temps. Some major brands of wetsuits for surfing wetsuits are Quicksilver, O'neill, Rip Curl, and Billabong. All wetsuits should be checked very carefully for fit. There are size guides for almost all brands but it's best to try several wetsuits as they are all cut slightly different.

The most important surfing accessory is the leash. Usually they have a standard thickness and a thinner one called the "comp" leash. The comp is lighter but breaks more easily and should be avoided for beginners. The other basic but useful surfing accessory is the surfboard rack. There are soft racks that travel easily and hard racks which are easier to use but are more permanently affixed to a vehicle.

Although surfing is not an equipment intensive sport, it's important to choose your surfing gear wisely. With so much time spent looking for surf and time spent in the water, you don't want bad surfing gear reducing your wave count. Spend the time asking other surfers their opinions about gear. Also consider that most people working at your local surf shop should be able to steer you in the right direction.

For great deals on more tips, see surfing gear for sale in the US, UK, and Australia.

 

About the Author

Chris runs Surfing Gear, an online surf guide and surf shop.

Fin $10 Fin

FCS Q-PC3 Quad Fin Set (Red/Clear) $88 FCS Q-PC3 Quad fin set is made with Performance Core material and construction. They are made to deliver the feeling of a traditional fiberglass fin with the added performance of reduced weight. The Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process produces a lightweight fin with remarkable flex, a smooth feel and an impressive aesthetic. Featuring PC-3 in the side and GX-Q in the rear. Superior all around performance. Small optimum weight range: 121 - 154 lbs (55kg - 70kg) Drive (less to more): 4 out of 6 Pivot (tight arc to long): 3 out of 6 Hold (less to more): 4 out of 6 Dimensions: Front Base: 4.28, 109mm Depth: 4.41, 112mm Area: 14.22² , 9172mm² Sweep: 31° Foil: IFT Dimensions: Rear Base: 3.86, 98mm Depth: 3.93, 100mm Area: 11.07², 7140mm² Sweep: 33.2° Foil: 80/20

FCS Q-7XC Quad Fin Set (Glass) $56 FCS Q-7XC Quad fin set is made with Glass Flex construction delivering the flex and memory properties of traditional hand laid fiberglass. Its advantages include stiffness, a more positive flex pattern (nice tip flex, little base flex) and remarkable flex memory. It features the M-7 fins in the side and the G-X centres in the rear. Large optimum weight range: 165 - 198 lbs (75kg - 90kg) Drive (less to more): 3 out of 6 Pivot (tight arc to long): 3 out of 6 Hold (less to more): 3 out of 6 Dimensions: Front Base: 4.52, 115mm Depth: 4.67, 119mm Area: 15.71², 10137mm² Sweep: 33° Foil: IFT Dimensions: Rear Base: 3.86, 98mm Depth: 3.93, 100mm Area: 11.07², 7140mm² Sweep: 33.2° Foil: 50/50

FCS Q-5XC Quad Fin Set (Glass) $56 FCS Q-5XC Quad fin set is made with Glass Flex construction delivering the flex and memory properties of tradtional hand laid fiberglass. Its advantages include stiffness, a more positive flex pattern (nice tip flex, little base flex) and remarkable flex memory. It features the M-5 fins in the side and the G-X centres in the rear. Medium optimum weight range: 143 - 176 lbs (65kg- 80kg). Drive (less to more): 3 out of 6 Pivot (tight arc to long): 3 out of 6 Hold (less to more): 3 out of 6 Dimensions: Front Base: 4.37,111mm Depth: 4.55, 115mm Area: 14.76², 9525mm² Sweep: 33° Foil: IFT Dimensions: Rear Base: 3.86, 98mm Depth: 3.93, 100mm Area: 11.07², 7140mm² Sweep: 33.2° Foil: 50/50

FCS K2.1 PC Quad Fin Set (Silk) $92 Kelly Slater's signature FCS Performance Core (PC) quad set. K2.1 PC in the side and Q-1000 in the rear, exceptional performance in all conditions. Duh, Winning The Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process produces a lightweight fin with remarkable flex, a smooth feel and an impressive aesthetic. Medium optimum weight range: 143 - 176 lbs (65kg - 80kg). Drive (less to more): 4 out of 6 Pivot (tight arc to long): 2 out of 6 Hold (less to more): 4 out of 6 Dimensions: Center Base: 4.33, 110mm Depth: 4.53, 115mm Area: 15.23², 9824mm² Sweep: 32.0° Foil: Flat Dimensions: Rear Base: 4.10, 104mm Depth: 4.26, 108mm Area: 12.64², 8158mm² Sweep: 32.4° Foil: Flat

Becker Rocket Quad (Color) $560 Rocket Quad: The traditional fish goes quad. This is our traditional quad fin fish. It's a great choice for surfers looking for the benefits of a fish design without sacrificing maneuverability. The outline is similar to a traditional twin fin fish, which means the board performs excellent in small surf. The quad fin set up creates more speed, drive, and maneuverability than a traditional twin fin fish. Now with future fin system

Vertical fin $2.6 Vertical fin

Horizontal fin $2.45 Horizontal fin

Mask - Fin $35.99 Mask - Fin

C'est fin $6 C'est fin

Al Fin $11.99 Al Fin

Quad $19.99 NaxArt Quad - Premium Poster

El Fin $10 El Fin - Dyablo

Triple Fin $19.99 Triple Fin - Photographic Print

Future Fins Controller Quad (Assorted) $96 Height: 4.50 Base: 5.05 2D Area: 18.24 Rear Height: 4.53 Base: 3.89 2D Area: 12.06 The Controller is i for performance retro quads, or any wide tail fish quads. The V2 low aspect front fin and high aspect Futures' tow foil rear fin deliver the perfect balance. While you're fishing at your local break or surfing that high performance line at J-Bay, the name says it all...Total Control

Shark Fin $144.99 Howard Sokol Shark Fin - Framed Photographic Print

Chevy Fin $14.99 Helen Flint Chevy Fin - Art Print

Fin d'Arabesque $39.99 Edgar Degas Fin d'Arabesque - Giclee Print

Helio Fin (Full Body) $24.99 Helio Fin (Full Body)

Helio Fin (Screen) $14.99 Helio Fin (Screen)

Vertical Tail Fin $3.25 Vertical Tail Fin

HP05-M010 Stabilizer/fin set $3 HP05-M010 Stabilizer/fin set

STABILIZER/FIN SET $5 STABILIZER/FIN SET

horizontal fin band $4.41 horizontal fin band

Horizontal fin??for E036 $3.33 Horizontal fin??for E036

cooling fin HM-CB180-Z-14 $4 cooling fin HM-CB180-Z-14

Vertical fin set $1.5 Vertical fin set

Horizontal fin set holder $1.88 Horizontal fin set holder