How To Choose Your Bodyboard Fins
How To Choose Your Bodyboard Fins: Bodyboard fins are an essential accessory, and their choice is almost as important as that of the board.
The fins are a key element of the Bodyboard team. They allow you to generate strong accelerations to catch waves, as well as pick up great distances to access the peak of the waves. The stiffness of the fins is the main criterion of choice. Soft fins will be more comfortable but less efficient than rigid fins. If you have questions, here we explain how to choose your bodyboard fins. Do not forget the attached fins if you do not want to see them disappear forever at the bottom of the sea.
Today I am going to talk about one of the most important accessories when it comes to bodyboarding, the fins. Many times people wonder if they are necessary to perform this sport. My answer is a resounding yes. And I’ll give you the reasons.
The selection criteria should be shape, rigidity, comfort and of course size.
The form:
There are many different designs on the market, but in reality, the shape does not have a big impact on the performance of the boogie boards. For bodyboarders who laugh in Prone (elongated), the shape does not matter. However, for those who practice the drop knee, it is better to choose fins that are not too long, or too wide and flexible.
Rigidity:
The soft palms generate good propulsion, are fast and comfortable, but the start is slower. On the contrary, rigid fins generate immediate acceleration, but they are more physical, more demanding for the legs, and are therefore suitable for experienced riders looking for high-performance fins.
Comfort:
The comfort of the fins depends mainly on the flexibility of the rubber located at the level of the feet, as well as the ergonomics of the slipper.
Cut:
It is essential that the fins are the right size so that the foot is well maintained, without the fins hurt. If you’re in between sizes, you can use neoprene socks or Pride’s Fin Pad.
The sizes vary by brand, but in general, these are more or less the following:
S: 38 to 39.5
– M: 40,5-42
– ML: 42-43
– L: 43-45
– XL: 45-47
Reasons to use bodyboard fins
The most important thing is security. If we do not have bodyboard fins, we could be stuck in a current and not be able to get out of it. Apart from that, the lifeguards on the beaches will only let us use our bodyboard in the areas recommended for the bath.
Many people wonder why with a surfboard it is allowed to enter the water without fins and not with a bodyboard. The explanation is simple, the surfboard is bigger, has more volume so it floats more and slides as fast or more than a person using its finned bodyboard, and this would make it be in the same conditions before a current.
The fins will give us the necessary propulsion to catch the wave and leave with the necessary speed to surf the wall with comfort and safety. In case of not taking them, we would not be able to catch the waves, and if we take it, we will most likely fall behind and not surf the wave wall.
Another reason and which we do not usually realize is that both legs and fins are used to hold us to the wall in those moments in which the wave becomes very vertical, being something similar to what they do. keels. If at the time of the takeoff (to lower the wave) we raise the fins of the water surely we lose all the grip of the tail, we go the bodyboard of side and we lose the wall of the wave.
These are many of the reasons why the use of bodyboard fins is mandatory. Also remember to always wear the fins, to avoid losing them in the case that the lip of the wave hits us in them or in a tumble because if this happens we would be without fins and it would be difficult to get out of the water.
