Let’s see different tail designs! Swallow/squash/pin.

Even if a particular board has 5 fin boxes, it may work better as a thruster OR as a quad, depending on the shape of the board, rocker and tail etc. So, it kinda depends on the board and the conditions as well. The best way to get your board dialed is to do what Kale does in this video and switch off setups in a session. Do it on different days with different conditions. That's what's going to tell you the most about your equipment. Also, some fin designs work differently than others. If you're a beginner, you'll likely not feel much difference but as you become more advanced and demand more particulars and performance out of your equipment, you'll start to notice when you're equipment isn't right for the conditions because ultimately, you want to be matching your equipment to the conditions you're surfing.

The best 'fins explained' talk I have heard.

Thanks Kale this video cleared up some questions for me. I find your videos very helpful. I'm 71 and haven't surfed in a long time, learning all over again. It's not like riding a bicycle,

Can you Please do a video about surfboard tail shapes what each of them do and in wich kind of waves they are made for.

That was very interesting. I would probably never try to do the whole lot in a session to compare and all the info that you gave us was very valuable. Maybe to complete the fin series, you could try different types, plastic, fibreglass, size difference, performance fins... And give more info on the type of waves for the combination.

I’m glad I learned using a twin set up. Back in the late 80s early 90s there weren’t a lot of options. When I got a board that came with a truster set up though I was hooked, and I thought it looked cooler which was just as important back then😎.

It's nice to see you falling off like a regular , rather than making yourself look impeccable in the edit. Thumbs up for leaving the ego out if it👍

The 2nd fin setup was a "2+1" set up. Large center and 2 smaller sides. To make a "thruster" set up on that particular board, you needed to find a 3 - 3.5" center box fin. Also it would have been great to see a review of a Twin-Stabi set up ( two large sides and a tiny trailer ).

I was thinking about how to upgrade the soft mushy fins on my foamie but had no idea about fins, literally best timing for this video!!!

I use the Mark Richards 2+1 set up in a lot of my groveler board’s. For weaker / deeper waves, 3-4ft & under. Get tons of speed & a loose skatey feel. You can still throw the tail around & the 180’s & 360’s at will & still have a lil’ hold if ya need it.

This has been the best and most simple guide to fin setups. It was easy to see the video backing up your comments on each setup. Great stuff, much appreciated!

I cannot think of a way to make this video any better. I wish I had found it sooner. TY

Thanks for this!!!! Looking for some new fins as I use just the basic futures and since I surf more and more now I am gonna use this to help me! Thanks bro!

Thanks for this! My latest add was a 6'6" quad fish for groveling in the Gulf of Mexico.. not the best waves but better than no surf at all, and that board has definitely been a fun addition for typical days here.

Super helpful thanks BROccoli

Great video amigo!! That was a hard day at the office for you but you love it! Thanks for the hard work Kale

Super interesting and informative video! Now I'm thinking about getting a single fin for my mid length as well. Seems really fun!

I was literally just thinking and researching about fin set up, as I have just bought my second board today! It won't come in until mid April, but it's on order now. I am downsizing...finally...from my 1st board, which is an NSP E2 7'6 to the NSP Elements Fish 6'4 in purple. My other board has been holding me back for a while now from working on turns so it was long overdue. I bought the Carissa Moore Dakine tail pad in pink, purple & white stripes with a white FCS 6' leash. The board comes with a thruster set up of fins, but has slots ride it as a quad or twin, so I figured I'd get used to it this way first and then work my way through the different fin styles as I gain more experience on this board to make it more challenging. That way I'm good & ready before I move down in sizes again to a board that is the exact right height & volume match for me. I went with a bit more volume & height then I needed this time because I'm already dropping a 1'2" down & going from a 55 volume to a 40.2 volume. I'm 5'2 and thanks to a few extra pounds from this past covid quarentine year 130lbs, so by the time I need another board I'll be back into shape & need to drop about another foot to get to the proper volume for me at that point of experience & weight. Thanks Kale for all your helpful tips over the last few years. I always learn so much from you that I continue to implement into my surfing.

I’ve often heard that the quad fin generated speed but have never heard why. Was interesting to hear it creates less drag without the center fin of a thruster. Great info and vid again mate🤙

The side by side comparisons are brilliant

Thank you. Very helpful.

Been asking for this

Hey Kale - saw you at wave pool yesterday night - did you try the new advanced settings? Can’t wait to see your footage

May I give you a suggestion to improve your videos? if you add an polarizer filter to your lens when you film in days like this where sun is right above and the sea has so much texture , it will cut down the reflections making the light more even. Anyway, I never really learned how to use the thruster set up so I usually remove the middle fin for extra speed on my 6'6 hybrid fish. I only put the middle fin back if its head high waves because I assume it will give me more stability. My main issue is two factors. One, my backfoot never lands on the grip pad, it's always right infront of it so I don't get to use pivoting anyway. Two, I seem to have a really bad habit of being aheavy backfooter. everytime I catch a wave with this board specially on small days I noticed I don't really drop in, I tend to stallthen do a mediocre bottom turn by trimming and try to catch up with the wave. that seems to only happen with my 6'6 regardless of fin set up. I have ripped on a 8ft foamie with thruster set up no problem.

Hey bro I'm 17 just had my first surf lesson yesterday had so much fun loving the vids bro

My fav KZfaq channel. 🤙

Great Vid, I ride all different fin setups in various conditions and like Quads the best, even in bigger waves.

This is by far THE best video on fin setups.

Alwayyys eddduuucaaatiooonaaal and super helpful!!!

Dude! I'm kind of in shock that the Single fin was so good! Excellent work on the video, thank you!

Hey Kale, I surf a 5 fin setup. So I’ve got FCS PC-5 fins at the front FCS G-XQ back fins and the FCS VS Knubster as a small keel stabilizer fin. It’s fast stable and smooth. Any chance you can test this setup and give feedback? I’ve seen Kelly Slater use the FCS VS knubster as the 5th fin too. Bit more hold then a quad but still fast. 🤙

Been struggling on a quad for months with a new board. Speed on take off is just too much, never gave fin set up much thought. Thanks for confirming I should go back to a thruster or even 2+1 to really try and kill the speed off and get into my comfort zone again

As a pretty average surfer I think the single fin is probably a better match to average surfers who aren't surfing overly radical manoeuvres. They feel more stable, predictable, drivey, and you have options for size and shape to experiment with.

Nice vid Kale, I think you demonstrated well that boards and fins are a holistic design, that board being designed as a single.

Great video! What size fins are you using there for thruster and quad? Looks like mediums, but maybe quads? Any recommendations about what weight to go up and down in fin sizes?

Excellent topic, Kale. (Just want to reinforce too, given your recent poll, that this sort of ‘technical’ content and your brand of clear presentation, is why I responded with ‘keep doing what you’re doing’! I love the lifestyle stuff definitely, and balanced against ‘how does this work’ tech content, maintains my stoke 😁) Good that you incorporate ‘guest’ speakers too in the case of shaper Frank. And finally, nice to see your vid editor do her/his stuff. Transitions were good and add to the overall polish. Yew!

Bro ur channel is really growing just remember me from 1k when u hit 1 mil subs Great vid

Hi, nice vid! You only forgot to mention the fin position and which influence it has to the behavior of the board. It counts for both setups where you used the US box. Normally when you put a fin in the US box, the mid position is base position of the fin. When you put the fin more to the back, the board wants to go more in a straight line and wants to go faster. When to put the fin more to the front, the board wants to turn more/ better but wants to go less faster and is more controllable.

hey, kale!!! Love your videos!!! I was looking at the How To Rip video where they compare the Go fish vs Seaside, I really want any one of those but I was curious I surf small waves and I'm still working on mastering my pop up on a 6'0, but I think with dedication I can pop up on a small fish. With that being said do you think I can surf with any of these without being frustrated all the time?? Thank you and stay safe!

Fin plug placement is everything. Try with the keels on the back plugs.

I’d love to see you try the Twinnie set up on a fish shape. Just to see the difference you notice

hey could you try explain barrel riding and getting into barrels please also I surf a 5,6 quad and I'm able to make big long carves but rarely any snaps. I do think I am doing quick turns more often now and it did have to do with my experience level but I don't know if I would really change much if I switched back to a thruster

Hi kale you might not remember me but you went to urban surf on Tuesday 9th of March and did you see 2 kids one with long hair on a trigger bros nuke and the other on a al metric high 5 and it was the 1 pm session

Tanty ohlanty loved this vid. Great edit. Ripping heavy spray for the content. Only feedback. More sea shantys pls

Kale, thanks for your videos. If I showed up at the beach with a small wave performance board (Rocket Wide), but the waves were overhead and pumping, what would be my best fin option for control in fast waves? Medium or Large? Pivot or Raked? Thanks!

In Maui I used a thruster with a bigger center fin then all round bigger skegs and center fin. The other one is use the twin keel* fins and slap the two smaller quad fins on and it changes everything for the quad (lord have mercy lol)

Loved the tips, tried side fins yesterday and didn’t like how they felt on my 8’2” so deffo going back to my big central fin. I’m a relative newby so still trying to turn. Can do left as I’m a lefty anyway. Any tips?

Go finless!! A challenge at the beginning but awesome feeling when you get it 🤙🤙

Hi Kale. wondering you could do a video on how to take off on fat waves that may have already broken or half broken (when you are gonig for a re-form) . i always get smashed but i see guys who can do it and they make it look easy

omg, perfect timing

You're at York's, so many good spots, enjoy! 🤙

Cheers mate

Hey, love your videos! I just bought the quad legacy fins from futures and I was wondering if it’s possible to ride them as twin ? Cheers

good comparison, too bad you didn't have a FCS to fin box adapter to try it as a proper thruster set up, also smaller side bites with a single fin and a rear stabilizer with twin and more upright fins would have been cool to add. Also, were they flexy nylon fins you used?

Yes! I’ve been really looking forward to this one! Thank you 🙏 🏄‍♂️ 😎 👍

8:12 Even the fish are showing their fin setups!

Nice and interesting! Im just wondering how big was the board and how big was the single fin. I have a similar board and want to buy a single fin just don’t know which size I should get. A video about Single fin surfboards and how to choose the fins would be great !

I am so used to a thruster setup, but there seem to be mostly quads or twinnies these days. I am pretty much being forced into purchasing a quad! Not sure how it's going to affect how to generate speed on one.

cheers!

Would’ve been good if you had a shortboard for fin testing also.. I’m after a good all round fin! thinking the fcs2 accelerator or performers 👍

wohoooo single fins!

Awesome video !keep going man. Also where is that spot ? ive been living here from overseas and i looks like a awesome place to visit cheers

Hey kale could you do a review of the best known boards for 2-4 foot wave, maybe you can do al merrick board reviews or js boards

Sick one mate, keep on doing your thing🙏🏼

Hey Kale, it would be cool to add twin + trailer setup (2+1). Cheers Davyd 🤙🏼🤙🏼

Hey Kale, who makes that foamy that you're always riding? It looks like a nice board to just have some fun on

How about breathing techniques when paddling to catch a wave, riding a wave and paddling out.

Hi Kale can you make a video on how to make a perfect wax job? Because I keep watching videos and they don't seem to work to can you please do it? thanks!!!

Great

Kale, thanks so much for what you do! I notice you had the single fin in both the thruster and single configuration all the way forward in the slot. Can you address why that is? How does the position of the fin in the slot effect the ride?

On the Ocean & Earth website, the Happy Hour is described as a epoxy board. Is “foamie” any board that doesn’t have a fibreglass outside? I’ve been advised to move up from a foamie to an epoxy board next. So is the Happy Hour a good step up from a true foamie? Or is it still a foamie?

On the Thruster/ 2+1 setup on the foamie and single fin setup you set the centre fin high up in the slot...Would setting it farther back in the slot increase pivot at the cost of increased drag throughout turns?..would have been kool to see the center fin in both positions and hear your thoughts.

This is question everyone is too embarrassed to ask! Thanks 🤙

Dude, which surfboard model is that? Good review by the way

fin construction vid would be good too KB

Nice Cali lingo... What's crackalackin? YEAAAHHH!!! :)

What surf boards do you recommend ?

It is interesting to see how fin setups compare and if possible, I always recommend a quad plus center box to experiment. Buttttt I’m sure whatever fun setup you choose, you can adapt and learn and rip on. As you demonstrated here.

Nice, but can I say something? Where is Simon Anderson original TRI-FIN setup? It might be the best. Let's hope for a controlled environment like a wave pool, if possible. The fin boxes not in use have to be capped, the extra drag on the open center and side fins on the twin fin setup is MASSIVE

whats the surfboard you're using?

Really awesome! Very helpful. yewwww 🤙🤙🤙

Bomb ✌️😎

Try the outside thruster fins in the rear boxes by them self with no central fin.🤫

Finally

Everytime I watch your videos, I like to predict what you're going to say in your review after testing things out and I always end up being right in what you will say. It makes me happy knowing that I've built up my surf knowledge due to watching you.

Talkin about fins. I see some fins in the back at 8:11. Are those sharkies?

Hi what foamie board is that?

What's the length of your soft top?

What’s the foamie? Brand size etc

what kind of foamie (brand) is that board?

Single fins, such a cool flow. Twin fins, the right twinnies are amazing. Thrusters, the majority of people riding 3 fins shouldn’t(fish). Quads...🤷🏽‍♂️.

Now do a comparison with Bonzer setups (3 fin and 5 fin), and dare I say....the Hull.

Do you voice Duncan frombobs burgers?

try a bonzer!

good 🤙🤙🙏👌🌮 takoss

8:09, shark or dolphins?

Looks like there were a few more fins in the water than what you'd put on your board at 8min 30 seconds!

Quad > everything else

Mate, if you're a filmmaker who's absolutist about low framerate aesthetic qualities, and you're in a PAL country, you might as well get that one extra frame per second and not deal with all of the hidden problems of 24fps. 25fps with a 1/40th of a second shutter speed looks better and has fewer technical issues than 24fps 1/50th. It'll also record in any country without the lights flickering. I'd personally recommend 30fps 1/50th for anything that isn't strictly a narrative storytelling experience (i.e. this vlog style content you have) but trying to convince filmmaker types that 30 is visually superior has so far been a losing battle for me, even when I try to send video examples. *EDIT:* Also, when you're recording with a higher framerate for speed ramping purposes such as at 6:36, you must ignore the 180-degree rule and set your shutter speed to damn-near equal, if not exactly equal to the frame rate in order to have enough motion blur for when the footage is in real speed. Shutter speed alone affects motion blur simply due to the physics of shutter speed being a measure of time that the shutter is capturing motion. 1/60th of a second, for instance, will always capture 1/60th of a second of motion whether you do it once, 24 times, 30 times, or 60 times per second. I absolutely guarantee that your speed-ramp HFR footage will look more natural in real-time (both at the lower rate, and if you played it back in an HFR timeline) if you set the shutter speed as you would for your normal settings. Natural motion blur for real-speed viewing happens in the 1/40th to 1/60th of a second range.