I’m always always interested in seeing the new stuff that people are trying. Admittedly some of it is BS, ( like the Fat Penguin haha) Anyway saw some fins that Robin Mair a long time shaper out of Kauai had been doing He has a bunch of different designs, figured I would try a set on a board I liked that I’ve used different fin set ups on. I know how the board feels so I thought I would have a baseline Started with a set of his Q2s quads They definitely helped the board, quicker to turn initially, felt like less friction or drag Kept them in the board Need to leave will continue story later Jim
Part 2 Since the Q2s definitely improved my dynaglyde , I thought I would contact Robin next time I wanted some fins I picked up a quad fish from Scott Busbey at Natural Art. Used a set of FCS2 performers and the board went good, but thought different fins might improve it I sent Robin a picture and description of the board and he suggested some different fins. The set he felt would be the best were a VERY unconventional looking set (WTF/XTC combination) Had a good chance to try them out yesterday in a fun chest to shoulder swell. Although they look really strange , they definitely helped the board. It was much looser, cutbacks were easier and smoother and it still had good drive. Usually when fins are loose for me they lack drive, and when they are drivey they are tracky . My point of sharing all this is to let y’all know that Robin Mair and his Hanalei Fins are legit, if you aren’t afraid to try some strange looking fins check his stuff out. I’ve included some pictures so you can see exactly how far out these fins look
kind of remind me of the Rainbow Speed Dialers: https://rainbowfins.com/shop?keywords=canard&olsPage=products/quad-canard-speed-dialer&page=3
Had a set of Speed Dialers... gave them away. I think Toby Pavel is a great shaper... I don't get the fins, though.
Interesting fins. But the rails of the board--it looks like shaper was drunk as hell when he was shaping it.....was he/she??
I didnt like the speed dialers either...to me it just felt like too much fin. Stiff. Fins mystify me. I've had a love hate feeling about twin keel fins. latest board - 5'2" small wave board - I thought for sure the Futures K1 keels would be too much fin for the small waves i use the board in. I love the way they feel in this board even in waist high waves. Quad fins in general, i like the front fins to have way more size than the rear fins. The board i rode in 8 foot El Salvador had the same medium size front/small rear quad setup i ride in waist high slop. Dropping into those bombs i kept waiting for the tail to wash out but it never did. The board even has a wide tail. To me that made no sense in that pumping surf.
Added these to my kid's wavestorm - hate to say it - makes the board pretty dang fun. https://www.perfectstormfins.com/
Those are very inexpensive. Great for a surfing family on a budget, to keep the kiddies wet and stoked.
Agreed pavel too curvy and bendy for the jersey juice. I have a summer fishy quad. 6'6"x21"x3." I am an amalekite. Double bump swallow. Raised deck. Futures scimitar, the original ones. Board flies in small surf. Start feeling like i should lose it lowtide freighttrain maalea jersey juice beachbreak and i can literally feel the sharp straight up and down rear fins hold. Unbelievable board. Amazing fins. Experimentation.
