This collaboration by two of our fave surf brands is a match made in heaven. Captain Fin Co. is a southern California based brand and it shows through its attention to detail and fun modern styles. Seea is a women’s surf brand known for its amazing quality and functional yet stylish designs. This collection by Captain Fin Co. was actually created to match the suits from their 2022 line. So ladies, you can score a surf suit that matches your longboard fin – they still have a few left in their clearance section like this epic 2mm surf jacket. This fin is considered more advanced, due to its exaggerated rake. It’s fast down the line, and super reactive, great for quick maneuvers and cross-stepping. However, we wouldn’t recommend using this fin on any super long classic logs. It’s great for an everyday longboard, 9’ max, and also a wonderful fit for mid-length boards 7 feet and up.
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True Ames Dewey Weber Hatchet Fin
This fin is an old classic design, reimagined from the original longboard D fin to offer that same hold down the line but due to the longer shape they give better stability when walking to the nose. However this 10” model is a whopping 8 inches shorter than the original! The main complaint with D fins is that they’re sort of a 1 trick pony. They offer a lot of stability when trimming but not when stepping. Hatchet fins give both options while also turning ever so slightly faster than a D fin so you can have all the style perks of a classic ride with a little more maneuverability.
Kona Surf Co. Classic Single Fin
Available in 8-10”
The name of this fin says it all – Classic! This fin is considered a super classic-shaped fin. It’s amazing for stability when it comes to spending time up on the nose of the board. It has a medium rake which adds to its stability. It may not turn quite as quickly as the butterfly fin from Santa Barbara for example, but it’s a really classic shape that is still somewhat easy to maneuver. This fin is made out of fiberglass, aka it’s built to last. Also, this fin gets major style points for a variety of colors and patterns, as well as local artists points for being made by an epic team of people in New Jersey for the last 50 years. Kona Surf Co. was actually founded by Mike Sciarra, who was an integral part of the surfboard boom, over on the North Shore of Hawaii in the late 60’s. And if you’re not new to Team Quiver, then you already know we love a good backstory.
After trying out the Classic single fin by Kona Surf Co. and absolutely loving it, we decided to grab one of their pivot fits and we were not disappointed. It’s an epic piece of equipment with a nod to old-school classic style that has an unreal hold when we’re making our way to the nose. Overall an amazing brand that we will turn to in the future for equipment needs.
Ho Stevie LongBoard/Sup Center fin
Available in 6.5”-10”
You may remember Ho Stevie from our surf poncho review last week! We adore this small California based brand and their budget-friendly surf equipment. If you’re new to the surf world, and looking for an inexpensive fin that you won’t worry about snapping or scraping along the reef then this is a wonderful pick for you. Available in a variety of sizes and colors, this fin is made of FRP (fiberglass reinforced polymer) meaning it’s stronger than your average budget/plastic nylon fin with less flex and more stability. However this is very much a beginner’s fin, we wouldn’t say it’s a great choice for those of you working on your nose riding and footwork skills, however, you may find it a bit slower than fiberglass counterparts on turns.
Santa Barbara Butterfly LongBoard Fin
Available in 6”-10” lengths
If you’re new to the world of single fin surf Santa Barbara surfing makes a variety of super classic single fins that are 100% fiberglass and made to last for a very reasonable price. The 10” models can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not used to the loose feeling and quick turns, so we suggest starting in the mid-range and moving up over time to a fin that has as many inches as your board does feet, give or take. We love this butterfly-style fin for its taper and somewhat flexible tip. It makes for a very smooth and free-flowing ride. This fin has a moderate rake – which is a fancy way of talking about the angle the fin leans back toward the end of the board. The moderate rake of this fin allows for greater stability, without affecting turns and pivots. Overall we think this is a great choice if you want to invest in a quality piece of equipment that will last rather than getting a plastic fin, but aren’t ready for a more expensive model.
Santa Barbara Surfing is also a small family-owned company, which is something that will always sway us in the direction of making a purchase.
GoofBoard Classic Log
To our log-riding friends, don’t worry – we didn’t forget about you. As long borders sometimes the world of land training, or at least the popular things we see online, can feel like it’s entirely focused on learning to shred. However our longboarding friends are out in the water to dance with the waves and walk on water. This GoofBoard is ideal for that. Amazing for practicing cross-stepping and improving your style, we absolutely adore this unique addition to our lineup of the best balance boards on the market. GoofBoard also makes a super sustainable board with a roller made of high-density recycled material and bamboo end caps.
If you’re a longboarder looking for a way to work on your cross-stepping on land then the GoofBoard Classic Log is for you!
Whirly Board Spinning Balance Board
The Whirly Board is truly one of the most unique balance boards that we have seen on the market and we love it! The interesting design was originally created on an old skateboard deck by cutting a bowling ball and a pool ball in half, and the rest is history. This unique board is stable but can still pack a punch and give you a challenge depending on how you use it. Handcrafted in Wisconsin using Canadian Maple these boards have a lifetime guarantee because their creators truly stand by the statement that they will last forever. The unique design allows the board to spin and makes for a unique balance board experience unlike anything else we’ve seen on the market.
If you’ve been in the balance board game for a while and you’re looking to try something unique with a different sensation then the Whirly Board is for you!
Yes4all Premium Surf Balance Trainer
This board is our most budget-friendly pick and it absolutely is not lacking in quality or functionality. The stoppers on this board are both adjustable and removable so it can progress with you, or be a useful tool for the whole family even if you are at different points in your surfing journey. The PEVA coating is a lot more forgiving on floors than grip tape/sandpaper grip which is common in the world of balance boards. Now we will say, the quality of this board is not up to par with some of the others on our list, and it may not last 15-20 years like a Vew-do board. However if you are on a budget, or unsure if you want to include balance boards in your training routine – this accessible price point makes this feel like less of an investment piece.
If you’re looking for a versatile board at an extremely affordable price point then the Yes4all Premium Surf Balance Trainer is for you!
Driftsun Classic Balance Board
For us, the name says all you need to know when it comes to this Driftsun board. Classic. This board reminds us of the balance boards we grew up playing around on, it’s simple, but absolutely does what it came here to do. We appreciate that the foam roller included with this board is a bit more gentle on all floor types, making it ideal for those of you with hardwood floors who are nervous to use a wooden roller. The wide deck and non-slip surface make the Driftsun Classic ideal for novice and intermediate surfers, it’s a super stable board and a wonderful first buy if you’re new to the world of balance boards. Now as lovers of the environment and brand transparency, I do want to point out that there is no information about material sourcing, production location, or environmental efforts that we could find on their site. Regardless this is a quality board that will last you years of balancing.
If you’re looking for a board with great stability or if you’re new to the world of balance boards and want something on the easier side, the Driftsun is a great pick for you!
Blue Planet Balance Surfer
Blue Planet is a small company on a mission and we love the story of how they came to be. This board is a lot different than the other ones on this list. Its purpose is versatility. Created by a stand-up paddle surfer, this board packs a punch with 7 different levels of balance challenge. When Robert Stehlik first created the Balance Surfer he was struggling with posture issues and back pain from long days working at the computer. After realizing how much an old balance rocker helped minimize his pain he began designing the board of his dreams. We love the EVA soft foam deck that is ideal for training barefoot. We love that this board really meets you where you’re at. With its multitude of difficulties, you can rock away at your desk while working on using it for a more advanced land training routine.
As a small and somewhat new company, Blue Planet is doing a great job at protecting our environment in whatever ways they can. They do their best to conserve energy, recycle, and use sustainable materials whenever possible.
If you’re looking for a board that can give you a boost during work, but also function as a useful addition to your land training routine then the Balance Surfer is for you!