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Shaper's Corner

CONFUSED ABOUT FIN SET-UPS NOW THAT ANYTHING GOES? DON’T BE.

Dane, the power of one, France. Photo: Maassen

Single is a word that means good or bad depending on context and audience.

‘You’re single? I’m single too…’ vs. ‘I’m still single.’

Same for surfboards. They polarise opinion, although certain things are considered acceptable, even by the most conservative modern sceptics. Like, when Mick Fanning ripped his hamstring from the bone, for example, his first comback surfs were at V-Land on a clean single, laying down some beautiful carving speed lines, and everyone was fine with that. Single + pointbreak during formative grom years (a la Curren) is still considered the most wholesome style development for the young apprentice.

But whether or not you feel like embracing the single lifestyle full on, growing your hair, never taking a leash to the beach, eating bean sprouts, and risk getting hated on as a hipster, everyone pretty much agrees that a single fin is an essential addition to your quiver. It’ll help smooth your style out, cut out the wiggles, and give you that sense of flow, joe. You might find a glossy finish and heavier glass on your single gives that bit of added weight, but in a good way. Lacking the drive you’re probably used to on a thruster, a little bit of momentum through mass mightn’t be a bad idea. If you got a box that adjusts, getting the fin forward makes it loose as a goose, while slinging it back will give it a bit more stick. just watch out, if you find yourself doing the Donovan soul arch every single fucking turn, it’s probably time to bust out the quad with four TC Redlines in…

Since: Tom Blake, 1935
Who? From low ranking shred scholar to grandmasters…You don’t have to be a hair farmer, but it seems to help.
Where? Pretty versatile really, from tubes to micro walls to whatevs. Better in steamy glass.
Why? If your surfing doesn’t seem to suit the single, then you’re exactly the sort of person that should get one, and make it.
Also: Leash with singlefin? Hmmm. Some believe they shouldn’t even have the plug.

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