Surfboard fins shape the way a board holds, turns and accelerates. Explore fin systems, configurations and materials with our independent guides.
Surfboard fin guides
Fin Control System History
The FCS (Fin Control System) is a type of surfboard fin setup that allows you to have interchangeable fins in your surfboard. The System was founded in late 1995 in Gold Coast (Queensland, Australia) and is still one of the most used Fin Control Systems after over 20 years. The idea is to have plugs underneath the surfboard that enables the surfer to use a set of screws to easily remove/add/replace a fin for storage or travel.The FCSII (Fin Control System Version Two) surfboard fins are the evolution of the FCS surfboard fins; the improvement consists of the ability to mount and unmount the fins without the need for any external tooling, and having a better drive, having the fins completely inside the surfboard.
The Future System is a single-tab system for surfboard fins. Each surfboard fin is secured with a single screw, and the fins are entirely inside the foam reduction.
Types of Surfboard Fins
- Single Fin: Classic and versatile, the single fin provides stability and control, especially for long rides and big turns. They are commonly used on single-fin longboards and single-fin shortboards.
- Twin Fins: These provide increased maneuverability and speed, making twin-fin surfboards a favourite for those looking for a playful experience.
- Tri or Thruster Fins: Featuring three fins, the thruster surfboard balances control and agility, making it a popular choice.
- Quad Fins:Quad or quad fin surfboards have four fins, offering speed in more giant waves and more hold in the water.
- Five Fin Surfboards: These offer the versatility to switch between quad and thruster setups, depending on the waves and your mood.
Equipment from the Models & Surf archive
These model notes preserve specifications from our former catalogue. Models & Surf no longer sells this equipment. Compatibility and performance descriptions are historical listing information; check the actual board, equipment and fittings rather than treating a model name as a universal fit.
Compatible Future Twin Fins - The Upside Down - Twin Fins + Stabiliser
Original catalogue information. Models & Surf no longer sells this item. These historical listing statements are not a current safety or performance rating.
The Upside Down is an archived Future-compatible twin-fin set with a centre stabiliser. The source table lists honeycomb, fibreglass and carbon fibre construction.
| Type: | Interchangeable Fins |
|---|---|
| Fin Control System: | Future Compatible |
| Setup: | Twin Fins / 2 Fins (1 set) + 1 centre Future Fins Stabiliser |
| Material: | Honeycomb + Fibreglass + Carbon Fibre |
| Compatible with: | Future Fins |
| Wave type: | All wave types, beach breaks and point breaks included! |
Keel Twin Fins - Light Bamboo - Twin Fins / Bamboo
Original catalogue information. Models & Surf no longer sells this item. These historical listing statements are not a current safety or performance rating.
The Light Bamboo model is an archived Future-compatible twin-fin set with fibreglass and bamboo construction listed in the source specification table.
| Type: | Interchangeable Fins |
|---|---|
| Fin Control System: | Future Compatible |
| Setup: | Twin Fins / 2 Fins (1 set) |
| Material: | Fibreglass + Bamboo |
| Compatible with: | Future Fins |
| Wave type: | All wave types, beach breaks and point breaks included! |
Keel Twin Fins - The Whale - Twin Fins / Fibreglass
Original catalogue information. Models & Surf no longer sells this item. These historical listing statements are not a current safety or performance rating.
The Whale is an archived Future-compatible two-fin set. Its specification table lists fibreglass construction.
| Type: | Interchangeable Fins |
|---|---|
| Fin Control System: | Future Compatible |
| Setup: | Twin Fins / 2 Fins (1 set) |
| Material: | Fibreglass |
| Compatible with: | Future Fins |
| Wave type: | All wave types, beach breaks and point breaks included! |
The original description mentioned bamboo, while the specification table listed fibreglass. The table is preserved here; the construction has not been independently verified.
Quad Keel Twin Surfboard Fins - The Orca - Quad Twin Fins / Fibreglass
Original catalogue information. Models & Surf no longer sells this item. These historical listing statements are not a current safety or performance rating.
The Orca archive describes a four-fin arrangement with two keel fins and two smaller rear quad keel fins, made from fibreglass with a carbon pattern.
| Type: | Interchangeable Fins |
|---|---|
| Setup: | 2 Keel Fins + 2 Rear Quad Keel Fins |
| Material: | Fibreglass with Carbon pattern |
| Wave type: | All wave types, beach breaks and point breaks included! |
Surfboard Fins Thruster - The split grey - Carbon Fiber Fins
Original catalogue information. Models & Surf no longer sells this item. These historical listing statements are not a current safety or performance rating.
The Split Grey archive records a small grey three-fin thruster set with FCS/FCS II compatibility and honeycomb, fibreglass and carbon fibre construction.
| Type: | Interchangeable Fins |
|---|---|
| Fin Control System: | FCS Compatible |
| Setup: | 3 Fins / Thruster (1 set) |
| Material: | Honeycomb + Fibreglass + Carbon Fiber |
| Compatible with: | FCS & FCS II |
| Wave type: | Small to Medium waves (depending on your weight) |
| Rider-weight wording in archived description | less than 70Kg |
| Original size options | Small |
| Original colour options | Grey |
| Original option combinations | Small / Grey |
Surfboard Fins - The Hybrid - Thruster / Carbon-Light Wood
Original catalogue information. Models & Surf no longer sells this item. These historical listing statements are not a current safety or performance rating.
The Hybrid is an archived three-fin thruster set. Its specification table lists FCS/FCSII compatibility and a fibreglass, carbon fibre and wood construction.
| Type: | Interchangeable Fins |
|---|---|
| Fin Control System: | FCS Compatible |
| Setup: | Thruster / 3 Fins (1 set) |
| Material: | Fibreglass + Carbon Fibre + Light Dark Wood (Bamboo Mate) |
| Compatible with: | FCS and FCSII (Fin Control Systems) |
| Wave type: | All wave types, beach breaks and point breaks included! |
| Weight stated in source description | ~62 to ~72 grams per fin; the description says weight varies with material density and fin size. |
| Original size options | Small; Medium; Large |
| Original colour options | Light Wood |
| Original option combinations | Small / Light Wood; Medium / Light Wood; Large / Light Wood |
The original description and specification table disagree about the fin system. The table is preserved here; compatibility has not been independently verified.
Surfboard Fins - The Twin Fluo - 2 + 1 / Honeycomb
Original catalogue information. Models & Surf no longer sells this item. These historical listing statements are not a current safety or performance rating.
The Twin Fluo archive records an FCS-compatible 2 + 1 arrangement of twin fins and a stabiliser, with fibreglass and honeycomb construction.
| Type: | Interchangeable Fins |
|---|---|
| Fin Control System: | FCS Compatible |
| Setup: | Twin + Stabiliser / 2 + 1 Fins (1 set) |
| Material: | Fiberglass + HoneyComb |
| Compatible with: | FCS |
| Wave type: | All wave types, beach breaks and point breaks included! |
The original description reused a different model name. These specifications preserve the model table for identification.
Surfboard Side Fins - The Batman Bamboo - Twin Fins / Bamboo
Original catalogue information. Models & Surf no longer sells this item. These historical listing statements are not a current safety or performance rating.
The Batman Bamboo is an archived two-fin set whose specification table lists fibreglass and bamboo construction and FCS compatibility.
| Type: | Interchangeable Fins |
|---|---|
| Fin Control System: | FCS Compatible |
| Setup: | Twin Fins / 2 Fins (1 set) |
| Material: | Fibreglass + Bamboo |
| Compatible with: | FCS |
| Wave type: | All wave types, beach breaks and point breaks included! |
