TEST DRIVE - A Twin Fin Comparison

EPISODE 1

Test Drive was born from the idea to create a situation where a surfer can do a side-by-side comparison of different fin designs - one board, one surf (if all goes to plan). Keeping the board the same and trying to do it in one session somewhat reduces the impact of the constantly changing variables that are present in trying to figure out surf equipment. It also allows for some pretty fresh insights on the feelings of the various fins that are surfed. In this case two twin fin templates are compared, the Aster Keel and Tweel type II.

A simple idea, contrasted by the complexity of knowing that “good surfing”—or rather, what feelings you enjoy on a wave—has no absolute truth. Surfing, to me, is the act of riding waves. On a deeper level, it’s riding waves in a way ( or discipline) that makes you feel stoked; otherwise, there wouldn't be a point to it. What I’m trying to say is: this is opinion-filled and is just my understanding of surfing through my experience and a small bit of reading up about hydrodynamics and fin theory.

What I find most interesting about board and fin design is how much you can alter your surf experience by using different equipment. It can help to broaden the views of how we think to surf a wave, what good surfing is, and what it is in surfing that actually makes us stoked. I do think that surfing a variety of different boards/fins, in order to feel their unique attributes and experiences, expands the already very deep rabbit hole of surfing. This also may be my own trip and not a view that others can relate to easily. That’s the beauty of surfing—we can simultaneously love the same thing in unique ways and still get to share it with each other.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the video. If you have any thoughts/comments to share, please send them below. It would be great to open a dialogue on your understanding of fin theory and how that affects your surfing experience.