advice for newbs from a newb

sooner26 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 21

Take the fins off. I ride a hl 140 cruiser. I took the fins off this weekend for the first time and will probably never put them back on. Yeah I'll admit the ride is loose and I will have to get better with my edging tech but the ride seemed so much smoother/easier. Surface tricks are super easy now. The only way I can explain it is before it seemed like I was in the water fighting it now it feels like I'm on top of the water gliding. You all should at least give it a try.[/b]

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 08, 2006 10:45 am Post subject:

I took the fins off of my CWB Flame 141 a couple of weeks ago. I'm not planning to put them back on. Cool

SlowRyder · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 20 City: Charlotte

Would you suggest this to a very inexperienced rider? I am still learning to edge correctly and have not learned to ride switch yet or do anything fancy..........

timmyDecker · Outlaw Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 187 City: Manhattan...KS

As long as you can get up, it's worth riding without your fins just to see whether you like it or not. The very first time you might not like it just because it's not what you're used to, but give it a few rides and see. As far as edging, taking the fins off forces you to edge better. With fins on you can turn without necessarily having good edging technique. Without fins, the only way to turn is to edge properly.

Lady Ortunas · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 109

I recently did this very same thing with the same board (HP Cruiser). While I have noticed less pop off of the wake, I definitely enjoy being able to ride switch and do some more surface types of tricks. I sort of want to try and put the fins back on, but I'm having so much fun with them off I might not for awhile. Very Happy

sooner26 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 21

Sure slowryder. The loose feel will make you a little weary but you will be riding switch in no time.

motobill · Newbie Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 26

Sounds like I took the wuss approach by buying smaller fins. I thought I'd step down to no fins rather than going from 1.7" to nothing.

Oh well, I'll try it my way.

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 09, 2006 11:50 am Post subject:

Rhawn · Posted: Aug 09, 2006 12:40 pm Post subject:

I went finless recently to, and there is no way I would go back. 133 Fish.

SlowRyder · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 20 City: Charlotte

ok, you guys got me wanting to take the fins off now.....I have a Hyperlite Era 147 with 1.3" fins on it now. Do you think it will be a big difference? Is the difference mainly when you are riding straight or when you are edging out as well?

wakehopper · Criminal Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 66 City: louisville

I took the fins off my state 140 and I will never put them back on, for two reasons #1 it is great without them. #2 I dropped one of them in the water when I was taking them off Very Happy

. I think this has helped me alot I edge better than I used to, My landings seem alot softer because the board is not as locked in when I land, and it is fun to be able to break the board loose so easy.

heroldmike · Criminal Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 68 City: toronto

wats the advantage to taking them off. for me i wouldnt see a point because i can easily 180 and stuf on water with them on, wat would be the real advantage just making that even easier or does it server mor purpose

Rhawn · Posted: Aug 09, 2006 5:44 pm Post subject:

The main advantage, so I read, is it teaches you how to edge properly and ride better. Fins can be a crutch. I notice smoother landings, not going over the front as much, 1000x easier surface tricks, and more fun overall.

sooner26 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 21

slowryder its a huge difference however your riding. to me it makes it alot harder to catch an edge and faceplant. i didn't have to fight to stay up. before i took the fin off i could butterslide maybe about 15 to 20 feet before i would catch and edge or move out of it fearing i would catch an edge. the first run w/out fins, i could have butterslided the whole lake. not sure what its call maybe a backwards butterslide, but i held the handle behind my back and was facing away from the boat and it was easy. to me takeing the fins off allow alot more room for error without having the wicked faceplants.

sooner26 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 21

going out today after work. let you know how the surface 360 attemps go.

nick@night · Posted: Aug 11, 2006 8:19 am Post subject:

I never had fins on my 137 06' PS3 although I got the best of both worlds because it has little built-in fins so it rides smooth and has control, my edge has improved alot too.

wtbamoomba · Addict Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 808 City: raleigh

nick@night · Posted: Aug 11, 2006 8:41 am Post subject:

ShAkAjAcK · Outlaw Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 154 City: Lexington

been riding without fins now for a year and i love it

stuzzy07 · Newbie Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 13 City: Pembroke Pines

I have a LF 06' Substance and i just took the fins off. The ride is A LOT more smooth, i can spin on the wake without catching an edge and eating it. I have a lot more movement and my edge is actually easier without the fins on. I do have molded side fins, so i don't plan on putting my fins back on.

edrex · Guest

My board has some channels on the bottom but no molded fins. I'll be going riding in the next couple days for what may be my last day of the season, should I try finless, or is it only good for boards that have some sort of molded fin? I don't want to waste too much time on my last day.
Thanks.

ccameselle · Criminal Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 63 City: Miami

I had a HL 142 and took the fins off. It was super loose but easier to do surface tricks. Then got a new boar a Free motion 142 and that one has the molded fins on it so I took the center one off. I love riding finless. After the first couple of rides you get used to it and it help you with the edging thing.
Very Happy

ccameselle · Criminal Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 63 City: Miami

I had a HL 142 and took the fins off. It was super loose but easier to do surface tricks. Then got a new boar a Free motion 142 and that one has the molded fins on it so I took the center one off. I love riding finless. After the first couple of rides you get used to it and it help you with the edging thing.
Very Happy

Nemesis7384 · Criminal Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 68

personal preferance. depends what youre doing.

edrex · Guest

I tried finless today. I can see where your edging will drastically improve, but I need to get better with the fins before I attempt it again. It was way to loose. Oh well, now to wait until spring. Sad

c-boy · Posted: Oct 21, 2006 2:39 pm Post subject:

I use both now cuz i split the cost of everything with ma bud and he can't ride fins but it makes all of your tricks easier if you go finlees to fins cuz, once you can do spins,butterslides,powerslides, etc. without them then when you put them back on its super easy

j_jaquette · Newbie Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 7

so if u take fins off it would be easier to do like surface 180's and 360's cause im planning on doing surface tricks this season

c-boy · Posted: Jan 14, 2007 2:07 pm Post subject:

true...

OuachitaWaker · Addict Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 577 City: Hot Springs

you should not take your fins off to do surface tricks. I can do surface 360's all day long with fins on my board. starting frontside or backside doesnt matter.