Ever tried paddling out without wearing flippers before? It’s like trying to have a fight in a dream. The harder you

try, the less effective it is.

And don’t be a fool and think that fins are all the same – they come in more shapes and sizes than the chicks

in your local beer-goggles-on club of a Saturday night. Fins are all different shapes, with different foot pockets,

mixes of rubber compounds, ankle straps, blade sizes and drainage holes – and getting the ones that are right

for you is key to your success and enjoyment in the water.

A decent pair of fins are the difference between wave-catching heaven and a rub creating hell. So, with your

best interests in mind, we got the best selection of aquatic footwear on the market, grabbed a few test pilots

and took them for a spin. Check out the results then head to your retailer of choice with a handful of grubby

fivers and seal the deal...

threesixty’s

fintasticflipper guide.

Viper, Stealth, ChurChill, roCket, BladeS (are theSe flipperS that we’re talking aBout or iS that the roll Call from top gun 2?)

photos mike searle

Viper. :

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

price: £39.99model: Mike Stewart Vipersizes available: S, M, ML, L, XLavailable from: Your local dealertest pilot: Rob Barber

threesixty’s

fintasticflipper guide.

teSt pilot BarBer takeS the ViperS for a quiCk Spin.

the dependaBle ViperS doing exaCtly what’S required...

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

price: £35 for the black fin and £40 for the pro models. model: Stealth 2 sizes available: S, MS, M, ML, Lavailable from: All core bodyboard stores.test pilot: Aidan Salmon

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.

flipper guide.

Stealth.

Alder.

teSt pilot aidan Salmon treatS the Stealth 2’S to an air reVerSe.

BarBer flipS out – with the alder roCketS Creating an extra Bit of lift.

price: £29.99model: Rocketssizes available: XS,S,M,L, XLavailable from: All good surf storestest pilot: Rob Barber

threesixty 055

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model: Blades sizes available: XS, S, M,ML L, XL, XXLavailable from: All good bodyboard retailers.test pilot: Rob BarberComments: 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

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

price: £44.99model: Makapuusizes available: XS, S, M, ML, L, XLavailable from: All good bodyboard retailers.test pilot: Richie Peters

fintastic flipper guide.

flipper guide.

Churchill.

Manta.Price: £39.99

the BladeS propel BarBer into a tweaky BaCkflip attempt.

riChie peterS ChuCkS the ChurChill’S through a tight air reVerSe.

board bag guide.taking flight this Winter?

Grab yourself a decent board bag and make

sure your stick gets there in one piece.

Alder.Price: £39.99

Alder.Price: £39.99

O&E.Price: £39.99

model: Alder System Tour x 3price: £39.99Number of boards held: 3number of pockets: 2shoulder and arm straps? YesFurther features: Option to conceal straps for air travel.available from: All good Alder outlets.

model: O&E Deluxe bodyboard cover. price: £49.99Number of boards held: 2number of pockets: 2 front pockets for fins, wetsuit, etcshoulder 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

model: Alder System Tour x 2price: £19.99Number of boards held: 2number of pockets: 1shoulder and arm straps? YesFurther features: Drain mesh in base of bag.available from: All good Alder outlets.

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!

Team rider Clint Loake

Rue De L’Eglise, St Peter, Jersey, JE3 7YH01534 485799 samgeorgejsy@hotmail.com

www.soundwavesurfshop.com

VS, NMD, LMNOPPod Fins, Stealth Fins, Hydro Fins Hurley, Body Glove and Alder Wetsuits

www.boardriders.co.uk

THE LARGEST STOCK OF BOARDS ON THE SOUTH COASTOcean Sports Board Riders, 368 Kingsway, Hove, East Sussex BN3 4QT - 01273 412241

OVER 4000

WETSUITS

IN STOCK

The Complete Guide to Surf FitnessFitness guru Lee Stanbury brings together all the latest knowledge and techniques to offer a complete training programme for beginners to pros.

on sale now at orcashop.co.uk and all good bookstores and surf shops. rrp £19.99

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Ben player with the BiggeSt air reVerSe we’Ve eVer Seen.

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