SUP Fins for Paddle Board Newbies

Most of the time we are paying attention to what’s going on while standing up on our paddle board, but what is happening underneath is key to the paddle board experience. When you purchase your first paddle board, you’ll notice a few fins on the underside of your board. These SUP fins are what allows you to have control of your paddle board.

Can you paddle board without a fin? You should at least have a center fin when using a paddle board. A SUP fin is critical for stability while using your paddle board. A paddle board fin will allow you to move in a straight line, which is also referred to as tracking. Without fins the board will slide from side to side on the water ruining the SUP experience.

The Different Fins on a Paddle Board

When I purchased my first inflatable paddle board it came with three fins.

I purchased this Merax inflatable paddle board if you’d like to check it out here.

You will notice that a paddle board has a couple different size fins.

The largest fin or center fin is placed in between two smaller fins.

The smaller fins are typically attached to the board of an inflatable paddle board, where as a hard surface board the small fins may be replaceable.

Here are some of the different types of paddle board fin set-ups:

• Single Fin just utilizes the main center fin
• Twin Set-up only uses two small fins without a central fin
• 2+1 Set-up consists of 2 small side fins and a larger center fin
• Thruster Set-up is with 3 equal size small fins
• Quad Fin Set-up is a paddle board with 4 small fins two on each side

Who uses each set-up

• SUP Surfers- Thruster or Quad Fin Set-up
• Beginners or General Use- 2+1 Setup
• Racing- Single Fin Set-up
• Yoga or Fitness- 2+1, Thruster, Quad Fin
• Fishing- Quad Fin or 2+1

How do you attach a fin to your paddle board?

A paddle board has a center fin with a center fin box.

I had no idea how to attach my center fin when I first purchased my paddle board.

The paddle board didn’t really come with any instructions, but I was able to figure it out on my own.

I had no clue on where to place the center fin within the track or fin box.

The fin box was about twice the length of the end of the center fin being placed in the fin box.

So it allowed for room to move the fin closer to the end of the board or more towards the center of the SUP.

After doing some research I discovered that securing the center fin all the way to the rear of the center fin box will make the board stay straighter.

If you secure the center fin all the way towards the middle of the board on the opposite end of the fin box will allow for more shifting.

Securing the fin in the center of the fin box will provide a good balance for general use.

You can always adjust to what works for you, but I generally stick with placing the center fin in the middle of the center fin box.

When it came to securing the center fin in place.

The center fin for my board has a screw with a square plate nut.

You position the square plate nut into the fin box first, that position your center fin where you want, than secure the screw into the square plate nut.

I’ve seen other paddle board fins that are moving away from using screws and utilize a pin system to secure them in place.

Effects of Size and Shape of SUP Fins

When just examining the general size of the fin a longer fin adds that extra stability, while a shorter would be less stable.

The thickness of the fin can help with speed and stability.

When a fin has a flat side or is symmetrically curved on both sides it helps with control. A slight curve helps with increased speed.

The overall curvature of the fin determines your turning capability.

More curve to the fin will help with turning when going fast, a more vertical fin will provide less balance when going fast, but be able to turn effectively.

Body weight should be taken into consideration when getting a fin. Someone that is heavier will want a larger center fin for balance.

Material for Paddle Board Fins

When you purchase a paddle board and fins are included, they’re generally going to be plastic.

Plastic fins are pretty common, due to being low cost.

Plastic is cheaper material and isn’t the best for performance, but if you’re a beginner or just looking for everyday general use, than plastic will be fine.

For more optimal performance go with fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Fiberglass does have a little bit more weight but can hold up better with no flex to get through rougher water better.

Carbon Fiber can do the same things as fiberglass, while also being somewhat lighter. The problem is they’re more expensive and can be more fragile.

When to Replace a Fin or Repair a Fin

Fins may need to be replaced over time for general wear and tear. Most fins are pretty durable and can last a long time. A fin may need to be replaced if it is lost or misplaced.

Some of the fins that are attached to inflatable boards can become somewhat warped.

During storage the paddle board is rolled up into a bag which can lead to the fins being rolled or bent.

To straighten the fins back out, you can apply hot water or something to heat the fin up to provide flexibility.

After the fin is secured in a straight position, cold water or ice can cool it back down to get it to maintain its shape.

Conclusion

As a beginner paddle boarder, you may only be thinking about getting out on the water and enjoying the sun.

When shopping for your first board or as you want to start doing more with your paddle board, utilizing the right SUP fins will help optimize your experience.

Following some of the tips in this guide will help you gain a better understanding of what a paddle board fin does and how to utilize the right fins.

Please comment below on anything that you found helpful from this post.

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