Viper, Stealth, Churchill, Rocket, Blades (Are these flippers that we’re talking about or is that the roll call from Top Gun 2?)
c i t s a t fin er guide. p p i fl
xty’s threesi
ou arder y . The h m a e r d a fight in have a to g in y hicks ke tr n the c kets, e? It’s li a r th fo e s b e d siz t p oc pers pes an different foo are right ring flip a a h e s w e t r h o it at ou me in m apes, w ones th out with they co ll different sh d getting the ddling it is. a – p e d m ie a a n –a are the s Ever tr ss effective t. Fins are all e holes le r at fins Saturday nigh and drainag th try, the ith you k in nd th ll. So, w t pilots of a sizes a e b l e h o d lu g c fo la n b ti n r. s a traps, gles-o n’t be a e wate rub cre a few te y And do cal beer-gog unds, ankle s joyment in th n and a rket, grabbed ndful of grubb e v a o lo n e p r e h u a m a d g o h m n in c a a e h r in yo s e h th tc it a n f rubb succes wave-c hoice w twear o mixes o key to your etween of aquatic foo ur retailer of c b e is c n u e o o y on iffer for y head to t selecti re the d f fins a e got the bes e results then o ir a p th nt ,w A dece rests in mind in. Check out p te s in a t s r e fo b k them al... and too d seal the de n a fivers
e searl s mike photo
Test Pilot Barber takes the Vipers for a quick spin.
Viper.
:
Price: £39.99 Model: Mike Stewart Viper Sizes available: S, M, ML, L, XL Available from: Your local dealer Test Pilot: Rob Barber
The dependable Vipers doing exactly what’s required...
Comments: I used the traditional longer blade Vipers for a long time and found them fast and comfortable so was curious to see why they had changed their design. Mike Stewart has come up with a shorter blade design which offers a compact, boxy fin that accelerates well – especially for short, sharp bursts. The stiff rails enable you to track a tight line across the wave face and they create minimum drag. The foot pocket is generously proportioned too, so if you have wider feet they are definitely the best option on the market. RB
Test Pilot Aidan Salmon treats the Stealth 2’s to an air reverse.
Stealth. Price: £35 for the black fin and £40 for the pro models. Model: Stealth 2 Sizes available: S, MS, M, ML, L Available from: All core bodyboard stores. Test Pilot: Aidan Salmon
Comments: I found the Stealth 2 fins to be stiffer than I expected but still have plenty of power and be nice and comfortable. The drainage on the bottom of the fins worked excellently as well. The sharp cut blade was a functional size for gaining good acceleration to catch waves and also for longer paddles back out to the lineup. The fins looked chunky to me and I expected them to be heavier on my feet but they were surprisingly light and solid. I’d used Stealth 1 fins before and thought they were average, I found the Stealth 2 fins to be excellent and I’ll carry on using them for sure. AS
Barber flips out – with the Alder Rockets creating an extra bit of lift.
Alder. Price: £29.99 Model: Rockets Sizes available: XS,S,M,L, XL Available from: All good surf stores Test Pilot: Rob Barber
Comments: These fins are an excellent entry option using a tried and tested ‘dolphin’s tail’ shape. The rubber on the foot pocket is noticeably softer than the solid rubber of the blade, creating a good ratio of comfort to power, although the edges of the ankle strap aren’t as rounded as the more expensive fins. The large drain hole on the bottom releases unwanted stones and sand quickly.
Manta.
Price: £39.99
Model: Blades Sizes available: XS, S, M,ML L, XL, XXL Available from: All good bodyboard retailers. Test Pilot: Rob Barber Comments: The blades have a contoured heal strap for comfort and the largest area paddle surface of all the fins in the test. With so much blade they’re the only fins that really offer you the option to customise them to your personal preference. Lots of bodyboarders have traditionally chopped off the front two corners using a stanley knife and I think if I was to use them regularly I would choose to do that as well. The rubber on the top of the foot pocket is nice and soft, the foot pocket is nice and spacious, and the four drainage holes on the bottom of the fin enable sand and shale to move out of the foot pocket easily. RB
The Blades propel Barber into a tweaky backflip attempt.
fintastic flipper guide. Richie Peters chucks the Churchill’s through a tight air reverse.
Churchill. Price: £44.99 Model: Makapuu Sizes available: XS, S, M, ML, L, XL Available from: All good bodyboard retailers. Test Pilot: Richie Peters
Comments: The most popular fins in history and the distinctive blue and yellow colour scheme is the most recognised booger footwear in the water. The blue foot pocket offers a soft comfortable case, as long as the size is good there should be no problems with rubs. The yellow blade is stiffer but still moves as one with the foot pocket – there’s no uncomfortable bending of the foot. The fin offered great all round performance and comfort. RP
ThreeSixty 055
g a b d r a o b e. guid
er? d make is Wint board bag an . h t t h flig ce nt Taking urself a dece re in one pie e o y th b ts a e r g G ur stick sure yo
O&E.
Price: £39.99 Model: O&E Deluxe bodyboard cover. Price: £49.99 Number of boards held: 2 number of pockets: 2 front pockets for fins, wetsuit, etc Shoulder and arm straps? Stowaway backpack straps and shoulder strap. Further features: drainage mesh on base of bag, havy duty plastic zippers. Available from: Your local surf shop
Alder.
Price: £39.99 Model: Alder System Tour x 3 Price: £39.99 Number of boards held: 3 number of pockets: 2 Shoulder and arm straps? Yes Further features: Option to conceal straps for air travel. Available from: All good Alder outlets.
VS, NMD, LMNOP Pod Fins, Stealth Fins, Hydro Fins Hurley, Body Glove and Alder Wetsuits
Alder.
Price: £39.99 Model: Alder System Tour x 2 Price: £19.99 Number of boards held: 2 number of pockets: 1 Shoulder and arm straps? Yes Further features: Drain mesh in base of bag. Available from: All good Alder outlets.
00 OVER 40 S IT U WETS K C O T S IN
Beware my friends as your innocent bodyboard has merciless enemies that you may not be aware of. ThreeSixty’s stealth undercover investigation unit has unearthed the following perpetrators that have bad intentions regarding the health of your priceless schtick: 1. The sun - no, not the evil tabloid, but the faceless attacker that you don’t notice till it’s bent your fave stick out of shape and then it’s just too late. 2. The baggage handler - these vicious assailants like nothing more than waiting till your back’s turned and then launching your trusty ride onto the tarmac. 3. The car park - famed for some classic accidental scuffing action before and after sessions. 4. The garage - a veritable dungeon of sharp objects and bodyboard chomping rodents. 5. Pets - who like nothing better than to sharpen their claws on the deck of your stick. 6. Kids – who see your uncovered board as the perfect toy to ride down sand dunes, wet grass hills or snow slides. Get back here you little blighters... Ggggrrrr. A board bag will, quite simply, extend the life of your board, plus you have supply pockets for your wettie and fins to be stored which makes the whole bundle of kit easier to carry and store. So, come on, show some respect and get one of these... Simples!
www.boardriders.co.uk
THE LARGEST STOCK OF BOARDS ON THE SOUTH COAST Ocean Sports Board Riders, 368 Kingsway, Hove, East Sussex BN3 4QT - 01273 412241
Rue De L’Eglise, St Peter, Jersey, JE3 7YH 01534 485799 samgeorgejsy@hotmail.com www.soundwavesurfshop.com
The Complete Guide to Surf Fitness Fitness guru Lee Stanbury brings together all the latest knowledge and techniques to offer a complete training programme for beginners to pros.
Team rider Clint Loake
On sale now at orcashop.co.uk and all good bookstores and surf shops. RRP £19.99
Troy Simpson
Ben Player with the biggest air reverse we’ve ever seen. ThreeSixty 057