Performance Boards Are Nothing Without A Decent Set Underneath

There’s a common theme that often surfaces when we discuss the F-word. Just how much can flex, rake, core and foil enhance or restrict one’s surfing? Are fancy fins the sugar pills of surfing? Is it all in your head? 

Well, think about how much thought and detail goes into shaping a board. Vast majority of us have ridden more than one craft in our lives and you’d be straight tripping if you didn’t notice the differences in the way each performed. Each has its perks and for each, its cons. One might sink through a flat section but grip tight in the pocket, the other might hold speed but slip during a quick change in direction.

When you think about it, fins are an extension of your board, the two interact. So yes, they too make a difference. Does that mean that fin specs should be considered when shaping a board? Of course. 

Revered performance shaper, Matt Biolos, foam guru behind Lost and Mayhem, understands the delicate dance between board and skeg and together with FCS, has just released a signature set.

Part of Reactor series, the fins are designed with less rake compared with other models, the MBs are cut more upright assisting with quick rail to rail movements. They’re designed for progressive expressions, critical lines and speed. Think Mason Ho, think excitement!

“We’ve been working with this template for a few years,” Matt explains of his creation. “I developed it to complement the way we design our boards here. Our boards are designed to have a little more speed built in, a little more glide, a little more carry and the template and foil of this fin is designed to work well with that.”

“Whether it’s a flatter rocker or wide tailed board or even small surf, you can create a lot of speed but still release and break it off track easily.”

With noticeable geometric similarities to the Performer template, but with less sweep, it has a balanced outline with smooth curves and moderate area in the tip. The fin also has a relatively short base in contrast to the higher depth value of the fin. The same template features across all three sizes.

The high depth value of the fin also provides great down-the-line stability, and has just enough bite when venturing out on the open face. The large size MB is particularly good for heavier surfers looking for a high performance fin.

Performance Core Carbon (PCC) has the fastest response time of all the FCS fin materials. MB’s fins have been updated with a carbon tissue inlay that gives the fin a very uniform flex pattern from base to tip, and provides a very positive feel when turning. The small and medium sizes have also been spec’d with a touch more flex in the top 1/3rd of the fins to better suit these weight classes.

There’s more to see here, or get shopping.