Does a fin really make a difference?

In today’s SUP racing community it is easy to put all your focus on the board and paddle, but forget about the importance of the fin. While racing, every second matters, and choosing the right fin could make all the difference.

When considering which fin to use, you must first consider yourself and your board. If you are a bigger/stronger person, or if you have a narrow/tipsy board you should consider a longer fin. If you are a smaller person, or feel quite stable on your board, you might be able to get away with less fin. Less fin means less drag.  

Generally speaking, a fin that is longer with more volume will be more stable and will help you track better. However, it will cause more drag, thus it will be slower over the long haul and harder to turn. Whereas a smaller fin will be faster, but less stable and harder to paddle straight. 

Another aspect to consider is the water conditions. If conditions are choppy use a bigger fin, if you are paddling in flat water you can use a smaller fin, and if you are paddling in an area with a lot of seagrass or debris you will want to use a weed fin. Remember not to forget the big picture, choosing a fin that is too small will hurt your time more than it will speed you up if you are falling in the water or cannot keep a straight course. Zig zagging is great for outrunning crocs they say, but can add meters or even miles to your paddle course.   

If you are looking for a new racing fin, Maui Fin Company is a great SUP fin manufacturer to check out. Maui’s racing fins come in a variety of sizes. All racing fins are shaped with the same design that has been tested against many different outlines and foil sections. The key to the MFC racing fin is its ability to glide naturally through the water with as little drag as possible in order to pack as much speed as possible. 

Another great component of the MFC racing fin is the material it is made out of. All size fins are made by RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding), which is a process that produces a lightweight fin with a smooth finish and remarkable flex.  These fins are designed to give the feeling of traditional fiberglass, and with the RTM process it will have a reduced weight which adds to the performance.  The MFC race fins are a top choice for elite competitors, Kai Lenny even won the Gorge Naish SUP Challenge Course Elite Race with a MFC racing fin.  So if you are in the market for a new racing fin, come in to Tula Sports today and check out MFC fins!