SUP Fins
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SUP Fins – Centre Fins, Fin Screws and Fin Pins
A SUP fin is the blade on the underside of the board's tail. It helps your board track straight, so it doesn't swing left and right with every stroke, and makes it more stable. Because the fin is the most exposed part of the board, it can get damaged when it hits the bottom or go missing on the beach, so it's worth having a spare.
Our range includes centre fins for US fin box and slide-in systems in 7, 8 and 9 inch lengths, made of nylon or fibreglass, a river fin, plus pins and screws to fix them in place.
Which SUP Fin Should I Choose?
| Where and how | What to choose |
|---|---|
| All-round SUP, lake, calm sea | 7″ to 8″ nylon fin |
| Touring, longer distances | 9″ touring fin |
| Shallow water, rivers | smaller, softer river fin |
| Better control and faster paddling | fibreglass fin |
| Board with a slide-in slot | slide-in fin with a pin |
US Fin Box or Slide-In – Which Does My Board Have?
Before you buy, check which fin box (the slot for the fin) your board has. Fins for one system don't fit the other.
| System | How to recognise and fit it |
|---|---|
| US fin box | long slot + fin fixed with a screw and plate |
| Slide-in | shorter slot + fin slides in and locks with a pin |
The US fin box is the most common system and is used by most SUP brands, so a US fin box fin will also fit a board from another brand. Slide-in systems are found mainly on budget inflatable SUPs.
Screw-In SUP Fins (US Fin Box)
Fit a US fin box fin with a screw and plate:
- Insert the plate into the slot and slide it to where the screw will go.
- Put the pin at the base of the fin into the back of the slot and lower the fin into place.
- Screw the fin screw through the hole in the fin into the plate until the fin is firmly fixed.
The fin screw and plate are small and easily lost on the beach or in the sand. Without them you can't fit the fin, so keep at least one spare screw.
Slide-In SUP Fins with a Pin
Slide a slide-in fin into the slot from back to front until it clicks into place, then lock it with the pin. No tools are needed. The pin is small and easily lost, so keep a spare, especially on a longer holiday. Rinse the slot with fresh water after the sea so sand doesn't get in the way.
Fin Size: 7, 8 or 9 Inches?
A longer fin tracks better, while a shorter one is more manoeuvrable and less likely to catch in shallow water.
- 7″ (around 18 cm) – an all-round dolphin-shaped fin. The board turns easily but still tracks well. Weed and seagrass slide off it more easily.
- 8″ (around 20 cm) – a versatile choice for all-round and touring boards. Some touring boards use two of them as a pair.
- 9″ (around 23 cm) – a longer, straighter touring fin. Your board tracks well over long distances, so you paddle straighter and faster.
If you're not sure, choose the same length as your board's original fin.
Nylon or Fibreglass?
| Material | Properties |
|---|---|
| Nylon (plastic) | durable and affordable + more flexible, won't crack on impact |
| Fibreglass | lighter and stiffer + better control and faster paddling |
For beginners and recreational paddling, a nylon fin is all you need. A fibreglass fin is an upgrade for anyone who paddles longer distances and wants their board to track more precisely.
SUP Fins for Rivers
In a shallow river, a standard fin tends to catch on rocks or dig into the bottom. That can damage the board and throw you forward. A smaller, softer river fin bends instead of catching, so paddling on moving water is safer. On deeper water, swap it for a standard fin that tracks better.
Can I Use a SUP Without a Fin?
You can, but the board will wander and be hard to steer. Only remove the fin when the water is so shallow it would dig into the bottom, or when you're packing the board away. For shallow water, choose a river fin instead.
How to Care for Your SUP Fin
After paddling in the sea, rinse the fin, screw and slot with fresh water so salt doesn't seize the thread and sand doesn't get in the way. Remove the fin before rolling the board into its bag so it doesn't break or strain the slot. Keep the screw and pin in a pocket of your bag so they don't get lost.
For side fins, fin boxes and other replacement parts, see our SUP spare parts. You'll find a fin with an electric motor in our electric SUP motors.
Related categories
SUP spare parts · Electric SUP motors · SUP boards · SUP accessories