Surfboard fin size: why big waves need smaller fins

Surfboard fin size in big waves. A lot of surfers think bigger waves need bigger fins. Actually, it's the opposite. This video explains, in simple terms, what a surfboard fin really does and why a smaller fin is the better choice in big waves. A clip shows a fin breaking mid-turn, so you can see the difference between what a fin does when it's there and what's missing the moment it's gone. From there the video breaks down the forces on a fin — lift and drag. Why they grow so fast with speed and what that means for the fin you choose. If you'd like help finding the right board for your surfing, that's what we do at Magic Board Finder: https://magicboardfinder.com Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:20 What happens when a fin breaks 0:36 What a fin does 3:11 Lift and drag 4:00 Small wave versus big wave 4:59 Why these forces are too big 5:45 How to reduce these forces 6:20 FCS example 6:45 Conclusion The surfing clip of Dane Reynolds is from "The Electric Acid Surfboard Test" — Stab Magazine (Vans × Corona, 2018).