Fin Guide
Choosing a Fin shape
When choosing a single fin for your longboard, the shape plays a crucial role in how your board performs. Here, we’ll break down three common types: the everyday standard fin, the pivot fin, and the hatchet fin.
- If you want an all-around fin for different conditions: Standard Fin
- If you prioritise nose riding but still want manoeuvrability: Pivot Fin
- If nose riding is your main focus and you want the most stability: Hatchet Fin
Standard Fin
These fins provide excellent manoeuvrability, making them ideal for navigating unpredictable beach breaks that require quick adjustments and responsive turning.
This fin is highly versatile, making it a go-to choice for various conditions. Its balanced template, moderate rake (sweepback), and well-proportioned base width allow for a smooth blend of control and responsiveness.
- Balanced control – Offers a mix of drive and manoeuvrability.
- Responsive turns – Allows for smooth transitions between carves.
- Ideal for – General long-boarding, cruising and light nose-riding.
Pivot Fin
A pivot fin has a more upright design with a wider base and minimal rake. This shape is built for stability and controlled turning.
- Enhanced stability – Helps lock the tail in place for nose-riding.
- Sharp, controlled turns – Enables quick pivot-style turns rather than drawn-out carves.
- Ideal for – Classic nose riding and traditional long-boarding styles.
Hatchet Fin
The hatchet fin is a variation of the pivot fin but with an exaggerated, wide-top shape that resembles a cleaver or hatchet. It is designed to maximise hold and stability.
edicated nose riders looking for ultimate tip-time stability.
Other factors
The placement of your fin can drastically change your ride—move it forward in the fin box, and you’ll feel your turns become looser and more responsive, allowing for a freer, more dynamic ride. But slide it further back, and you’ll unlock greater stability and hold, perfect for carving with confidence. Fin size also plays its part: larger fins anchor you to the board, offering more hold and stability, while smaller fins give greater manoeuvrability, giving you that agile, quick-turning feel. Then there’s flex—stiffer fins bring a more controlled, powerful drive, holding their ground even through rough terrain, while flexible fins add a lively, almost playful vibe, making each turn feel effortless and fluid.
