New Fins Won’t Make You Surf Better, Or Will They?

If you’re happy with stock fins, stop reading. But if you’re still here, it’s because you, like us, want a set of fins that you can feel a difference with. Because if you feel like you’re surfing better, doesn’t that mean you are? Maybe. Perception’s one hell of a drug!

Introducing: The FCS II Essential Series, individual fins designed for speed, power, and flow – like the WSL scoring criteria. Four fins to fit four styles of surfing. For the tech nerds, here are the specifics:

The reactor being put to good use, courtesy of Davey Cathels.

The reactor: Designed for speed, tight turns and impressing girls who are probably watching their phones on the beach. These claws have a low sweep, which means they sit more upright and respond to redirection. Technically great if you’re into progressive manoeuvres or airs into the flats.

The performer in action.

The performer: This is the well-balanced meal. All the food groups are represented: Speed, flow, and response. A great pick up if you’re not into thinking too hard about hardware selection but still want something that you can feel a point of difference in.

Feel the speed through the screen? That’s the accelerator speaking.

The accelerator: Live life with a broken speed gauge and the pedal to the floor? Do you refer to Mick Fanning as “White Lighting”? Does your car have racing stripes and do you paint your rails black because you think it makes you look faster? Yes! And these are the fins that’ll make you race down the line like a hero at draining beach breaks.

Throwing spray to the clouds, made easier by the carver.

The carver: If you’ve dropped the un-ironic “Phoarr!” while making a swooping motion with your back arm every time you describe a turn, then the carver might as well have your name written on it (and what’s stopping you from breaking out the sharpie after picking up a pair). Ideal if you’ve ever said the words “best surfer” and “Taylor Knox” in the same sentence at some point in your life.