How to select
THE BEST BODYBOARD FINS FOR YOU ?
Fins are the single most important piece of kit in bodyboarding, ahead of the board itself. Without them you cannot catch waves properly, get through the impact zone or pull yourself out of a rip. They drive your propulsion, your safety and your progression.
Why fins matter in bodyboarding
In bodyboarding you paddle with your legs, not your arms. Your fins are your only engine in the water.
- Good bodyboard fins let you accelerate into the wave instead of watching it roll past, get you through the impact zone faster and open up peaks you could not reach otherwise.
- Safety comes first. Caught in a rip or a strong current, fins are what let you paddle hard enough to get out of it. Losing a fin in serious conditions turns an ordinary session into a real problem.
- Progression follows. With fins that match your level you stay in the water longer, you fall into fewer bad positions and you learn faster.
Bodyboard fins have different characteristics for you to consider and are divided into two distinct categories
SYMMETRICAL BODYBOARD FIN DESIGN
Dropknee riders more often seek these fins because they typically have shorter blades. These shorter blades tend to be more manageable for dropknee riders to get up in the proper dropknee stance on their board.
ASYMMETRICAL BODYBOARD FIN DESIGN
This iconic fin design has become representative of bodyboarding the world over with its nature inspired dolphin shape design.
When choosing the right fin for you it is important to keep in mind the design, rigidity, and style that will best fit your riding and water temperature.
Typically, the more rigid the fin the more power and acceleration it will deliver with more effort. Additionally, the opposite may be true when utilizing a less rigid fin design resulting in less power and acceleration requiring less physical exertion to maximize the fins performance.
Gear guide from Jeremy Arnoux, Bodyboarder and pride lab engineer :
“I prefer to use more supple or less rigid fins for when the waves are pumping andI know that it may become one of those marathon sessions. More specifically for competition and bigger surf I prefer to use more rigid fins for their added performance of speed and acceleration when I need it.”
Jeremy Arnoux, Bodyboard Center team rider
Gear guide from Pierre-Louis Costes, 2x World Champion and Bodyboard Center team rider :
“I also use softer fins but only when it’s small (Vulcan V2). When it gets big I need more stiffness, this is why I developed the Vulcan V3 with Pride Boyboards. It gives me more propulsion and holds better on my feet.”
You can use fin socks in your bodyboard fins
Those fin socks with prevent you from bruises, cuts and cold if you wear full socks. Watch out, you may have to go for a bigger fin size if you are already tight without fin socks.
Use fin savers to avoid losing your swim fins
There are different types of fin savers in order to avoid losing your bodyboard fins. The simplest ones are the fin laces. You also have classic fin tether that are possible the easiest to use. More recently, we’ve seen the invention of the fin saver straps. They maintain the swim fins on your feet at all times while increasing the comfort of the fins on the heel straps.
Getting your bodyboard fin size right
Start from your normal shoe size. The fin should hold firmly without squeezing: heel seated, toes free of pressure. A bodyboard fin that is too large will come off in the impact zone and rub your toes and ankle bone raw, while one that is too tight will cramp your foot within twenty minutes.
Caught between two sizes, go down rather than up, unless you wear fin socks, in which case go up. Sizing differs noticeably between brands, so check the chart for the brand you are buying.
Swimfins sizechart DAFIN
| Swimfin Size | EU Size | US Size |
|---|---|---|
| XXS | 35/36 | 1/2 |
| XS | 37/38 | 3/4 |
| SM | 39/41 | 5/6 |
| MD | 42/43 | 7/8 |
| ML | 44/45 | 9/10 |
| LG | 46/47 | 11/12 |
| XL | 48/49 | 13/14 |
| XXL | 49 | 15/16 |
Swimfins sizechart ORCA
| Swimfin Size | EU Size | US Size |
|---|---|---|
| S | 36/38 | 4/6 |
| M | 38/41 | 6/8 |
| L | 41/43 | 8/10 |
| XL | 44/46 | 10/12 |
Swimfins sizechart STEALTH
| Swimfin Size | EU Size | US Size |
|---|---|---|
| S | 35,5/38 | 4,5/6 |
| MS | 37,5/40 | 5,5/7,5 |
| M | 39/42 | 7/8,5 |
| ML | 43/44 | 9/10,5 |
| L | 45/46,5 | 11/12,5 |
Swimfins sizechart VULCAN
| Swimfin Size | EU Size | US Size |
|---|---|---|
| S | 35,5/38 | 4,5/7,5 |
| M | 39/42 | 7/8,5 |
| ML | 43/44 | 9,5/10 |
| L | 45/46,5 | 11/12,5 |
Bodyboard fin brands, and what actually separates them
- DaFin remains the comfort benchmark, with a soft foot pocket that forgives long sessions and a versatile symmetrical blade. The safest pick when in doubt.
- Churchill built the asymmetrical blade and still holds a special place among bodysurfers, with a short, snappy kick suited to shore break.
- Stealth offers the best drive-to-price ratio, with a firmer foot pocket that needs a break-in period but lasts.
- Orca is the easiest way to start without overspending, soft, light and simple to pull on.
- Viper and POD are aimed at experienced riders, with stiff blades built for acceleration in hollow waves.
- Vulcan, NMD and Sniper round out the performance segment, often chosen by drop knee riders.
Bodyboard fins for kids
The most common mistake is buying a size up so the child can grow into them. It does not work.
- Oversized fins come off constantly, tire young ankles and cause blisters on the first session.
- Choose a soft, short blade for young riders. It needs little force and lets the kicking motion develop naturally.
- A fin tether matters even more for kids, who rarely have the reflex to chase a fin through white water.
Putting on, taking off and looking after your fins
These habits explain most of the wrecked pairs we see over the counter.
Always wet the foot pocket before pulling a fin on, water works as a natural lubricant. Slide your toes in first, then roll the heel over using the back tab. Pulling on the sides of the foot pocket is the main cause of a torn bodyboard fin, well ahead of normal wear. Reverse the same motion to take them off, releasing the heel first and never dragging on the blade.
- Rinsing your fins in fresh water after every session is the single most valuable habit: salt crystallises in the rubber and permanently softens it.
- Dry them in the shade, never in direct sun or in a closed car boot. Heat warps the blade for good.
- Store them flat or hanging by the foot pocket, with nothing resting on top.
- A little talc inside the pocket at the end of the season stops the rubber sticking to itself.
Looked after properly, a pair of bodyboard fins lasts three to four seasons of regular riding. Left salty in the sun, it will not see out the summer.
FAQ about bodyboard fins
What is the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical fins?
Symmetrical fins share the same shape on both feet, so they are interchangeable, versatile and ideal to start with. Asymmetrical fins have a dedicated left and right foot and deliver more propulsion and more grip on the wave face, which is why intermediate and expert prone riders favour them.
Stiff or soft fins for a beginner?
Soft. They demand less leg strength, reduce cramping and let you build the kicking motion progressively. Stiff blades are for regular riders chasing acceleration.
How do I find my bodyboard fin size?
Start from your usual shoe size. The fin must hold firmly without compressing the foot, heel seated and toes free. Between two sizes go down, unless you wear fin socks, then go up. Sizing varies by brand, always check the official chart.
How long do bodyboard fins last?
Three to seven years depending on how often you ride and how you store them. Rinse in fresh water after each session and keep them out of the sun and heat.
Can I use swimming fins for bodyboarding?
Not really. Pool fins are too long and too stiff for the specific movement of bodyboarding. They restrict your kick, tire your legs quickly and do not deliver efficient propulsion in the surf.
Try them on, that is the whole problem with fins
Fins are not really chosen from a product page. Two brands labelled the same size can fit a full size apart, and that gap is exactly where the comfort of a two-hour session is decided.
Our two shops, in Hossegor and Carcavelos, exist partly for that. You can try models on with your own fin socks, walk a few steps in them and compare two brands side by side. The team rides the Landes beach breaks year round, including in winter, when the fin sock question stops being theoretical.
Ordering online, tell us your usual shoe size and your intended use in the order comments and we will check the match before shipping.
Where to go next
Browse our full range of bodyboard fins, tried and tested for every level and every condition.
To go further, read our review of the best bodyboarding fins on the market, our guide on how to choose your bodyboard, or browse our bodyboards and boardbags.