Totally confused.......Please help.....

TravNasty · Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 16 City: ORLANDO

My question is in regards to fins and board. I am 30 and have been riding for about 8 months. I have taken a bunch of lessons and usually get to ride once or twice a week. My skills are probably that of your typical beginner that has been ridden as much as I have. I have gotten my w2w jumps down both heel side and toe side, and I can do a butter slide heel side and toe sided. That is it for tricks. Now for the question..... I went to OWC with my brother last Friday for the first time to practice riding switch. My board is an '05 Hyperlite 3DS, with Sphynx bindings. It has the 4 metal fins that bolt onto the bottom. It is the only board I have ever ridden. The girl behind the counter at OWC suggested that I try removing the fins and riding that way. I took them off and wow! What a difference. I really liked the loose feel, power slides were lots easier and it just felt more fun.....but....it was hell getting an edge. My question is whether or not there is something in between? Would I have to buy a new board? Or are there different fins? I know my board doesn't really have any fins built in and some boards do. My current goal is to land a 180, and I am working on backrolls. I can get all the way around but haven't stuck the landing yet. Would I learn this trick quicker with or without fins? Do most advanced riders ride boards with fins? Would I be better in the long run to learn to ride without them? Or is it just personal preference? Thanks for any help.

Trav

fuk_all_this@hotmail.com · Criminal Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Posts: 56

good question i dont have a clue ^^

shaggyboarder · Posted: Sep 04, 2005 5:37 pm Post subject:

you can always buy smaller fins and if they dont make any smaller sizes you can grind down the metal fins pretty easily.... for a beginner i would reccomend the fins but then again its all personal preference good luck

DunDunDun · Posted: Sep 04, 2005 5:43 pm Post subject:

no there is with fins and then without fins. your going for a 180 and a backroll? maybe you should elarnt eh basics first. you dont ahve to take the fins out on that board, since they are not very big, but it will jsut make you learn to use your edges and not be dependant on your fins. yes, it would be better to leearn without them now, cause when you start doing rails, you gotta have them off. you would learn the trick alot quicker with fins on, but like i said, its better with them off.

hoep that helped. Ken