Choisissez la dérive qu'il vous faut !

buying guide on fins This post aims to help you choose your fins. The general characteristics of a fin and their influence on your surfing will be explained to you. We will also focus on the different types of construction offered by the Shapers and Scarfini brands in order to best inform your choice based on what you are looking for.


scrafini logo


The Scarfini brand, originally from South Africa, was founded by Jonathan and Denis , two brothers passionate about surfing. Driven by their creativity, the fins made in their Durban garage quickly gained unanimous support among local surfers and shapers. Seeing the success of their fins, the two brothers decided to continue the adventure, leading to what Scarfini is today: an international brand of fins, with versatile and efficient templates.

Scarfini-logo

Shapers Surf is a recognized Australian brand of surfing equipment and accessories (fins, pads, leashes, shaping equipment and tools, etc.) . The company has 25 years of experience in the surf industry . Since its inception, the brand has equipped and worked in collaboration with professional shapers and surfers from Australia and around the world. Very access to research and development, the primary goal of the brand is to advance the surf equipment industry by designing ever more innovative products, using new constructions and new designs. Shapers therefore has a very wide range of fins, using various materials and templates in order to satisfy all styles for all types of conditions.

Drift shape
- height (size)

Generally between S (sometimes XS) and L (sometimes XL) , size is one of the most important characteristics to consider when choosing your fin.
As with shoe sizes which vary depending on the brand, the fin size corresponding to your weight will vary slightly between Shapers and Scarfini fins. We have summarized this information for you in the following table.

drift sizes table

The fin size that suits you will tend to be slightly different depending on your style, the shape of your board or the type of wave you want to surf with.

Large fins will give you more drive and control while shorter fins will make it easier to gain speed and stall . If you are rather heavy or have powerful support, you will need to favor large fins while adapting the size to the style of surfing you are looking for. Favor small fins in small conditions and increase in size in larger , more powerful waves. Try to keep in mind that the choice of the size of your fins is made according to the power of your supports. Light surfer, small waves or weak waves will generally mean lower downforce and will therefore require smaller fins. Conversely, a heavier surfer or one with pronounced support, a more powerful or bigger wave will be synonymous with greater support and therefore big drifts.

waist trimmer neonpink


- Base length
The greater the length of the base of your fin , the more it will provide you with drive, hold and acceleration . The shorter the base, the more your fins will tend to skid and will be playful . Fins with drive will allow you to make larger turns without loss of speed. Fins with lower drive will be more suited to dynamic surfing closer to the trough.

shapers-orange-shapers



- the rake
The rake represents the curvature of the fin towards the rear. A significant rake allows you to lengthen your turns and make long carves . A rather short rake (imagine a more "straight" fin) will facilitate shorter and more "pivot" turns.

rake

- The Flex
Flex will tend to influence the same characteristics as size. Thus, rigid fins will give you more drive and control while more flex fins will facilitate stalls and give you "bounce" when exiting a turn. It is however important to note that rigid fins will be more dynamic and precise than more flex fins which will be more forgiving but which risk destroying your gears if they are excessively flex .

Flex

Shapers offers a very wide range of fins with varied constructions, templates and sizes. The brand goes so far as to offer sets of 6 fins and quad rears (small side fins for Bonzer)

The Scarfini brand, with a smaller range, has decided to keep a fairly versatile template on most of its models. Scarfini fins will therefore perform well in a wide variety of conditions.

Buildings

Fine shapers
HEX CORELITE®
A durable, lightweight construction with progressive flex and a classic level of responsiveness. A good choice of fin if you are looking for more forgiving fins without compromising hold during turns.

Correlitte

Carbon Stealth®
The carbon stealths use a weave of carbon fiber woven from the base of the fin towards the leading edge while leaving flex at the tip of the fin. A solid and rigid base but a more flexible end to provide maximum grip and precision in your turns without the possible loss of control due to too rigid a drift. This special construction will also allow you to generate more speed between turns so you never lose rhythm on your wave.

fiberflex

Carbon Hybrid®
The carbon Hybrid benefits from a specific construction , made of a carbon base and an upper part in Corelite fiber and carbon strips. This structure with a rigid base and semi-rigid upper part gives "rebound" to the fin which will contain the stored energy to release it when exiting the maneuver. Fins developed for powerful, fast but controlled surfing.

carbonhybrid
Carbon Flare®
These fins offer increased drive and control compared to Corelite. Its carbon base makes it an ultra-light fin and its design allows good flex control. Fins using the Carbon Flare construction will therefore be intended for a wide range of waves and surfers.

carbonflare

Spectrum®
A hyper-technical construction for maximum performance , the Spectrum combines 4 materials to give you maximum control and feeling on your board. This fin is designed from a mix of materials strategically superimposed in order to obtain a structure with perfectly controlled flex over its entire surface. The materials used are Texalium (stiffer than fiber but more flexible than carbon) coupled with layers of carbon and Kevlar of different types.

Spectrum

Fibreflex®
Made up of 50% fiberglass, Fibreflex are constructed using injection technology . Despite being partly made from composite materials, this fin maintains good rigidity at its base and will gradually gain flex in its upper part. A good option for beginner to intermediate level surfers or simply for surfers looking for fins that are a little more playful and more forgiving.
fiberflex

Performance Fiberglass®
Always created on a more rigid base structure and a more flexible upper part, the Performance Fiberglass fins reproduce the sensations of "glass on" fins (fixed fins). Slightly heavier than the other fiberglass fins in the range, the performance fiberglass fins are durable fins that will be perfect for surfers looking for more rigid, responsive and powerful fins.

fribreglass


Fine scarves
Carbon base
These fins are made up of a foam core arranged in a hexagonal manner providing flex in its upper part with a reduction in weight. The carbon base helps maintain excellent stability and drive in your surf.

carbobase

Air Fin
Incredibly light and floating ends! These fins contain an ecological material made from 10% recyclable components and 90% air (hence its lightness and buoyancy). The carbon and polytech surrounding this unique technology allows you to control the flex of this fin and gives it very good responsiveness and fluidity in turns.

airfins


Eco purposes
The Eco fine series are made from three natural materials : hemp, cork and bamboo . Naturally rigid and resistant , hemp is used to create the base of the fin and obtain a better drive. Cork, very light, is used to form the heart of the fin. Finally, the bamboo, also very light, will wrap the cork core of the fin and provides a slight flex to this fin which remains generally rigid compared to composite or fiber fins.

ecofin

Glass Comp
Fins using injection molding for their construction which provides them with a geometric foil . This type of foil will give you control as well as a feeling of confidence in your turns and your supports. Ideal ends for small to medium conditions.

glasscomp

You now have all the cards in hand to choose your fins according to what you are looking for. Between Shapers and Scarfini (but also True Ames, Almond fins, Surf System and many other fin brands) the choice is vast on Woodstockshop.com. No matter your style, your support, your body type or the type of waves you like, we certainly have the fins you need!

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