Already ridden: K4 Finns

Now that some team riders like Graham Ezzy and Andy "Bubble" Chambers swear by the Lexan track holders from K4 Fins, we got ourselves two sets and took them for a ride across the wintry North and Baltic Seas. Because such plastic fins (injection-moulded parts without glass fabric or carbon) would be too soft with increasing length, K4 does not offer freeride fins and limits itself to short track holders for waves and freestyle.

It's no surprise that the 20 freestyle fin we tested slides and jumps like any other freestyle fin. The fact that it rides well in a straight line, on the other hand, is: the entire setup seems a little softer. You notice how the fin works and twists when going upwind, but without getting spinouts more often than average. In tight hooks, for example when carving close to windward for a shaka, the K4 doesn't take on quite as much pressure as our comparison fins, a Choco Starfsh and a JP series fin. The quad setup also works without any major spinout tendencies. On cutback you can feel the fins working and twisting, but you soon get used to it. Despite this slightly softer characteristic, they provide a lot of grip and control in the turn.

surf tip: For freestyle and wave riding, the differences in performance are acceptable compared to significantly more expensive fins. The K4 fins are worth the money - 49 euros for the freestyle fin and 89 euros for the quad setup.

Web: www.k4fins.com

Quad fins