Recently I decided to give surfing a go. I have windsurfed (on the flat stuff) for a couple of years and was getting very tired of waiting around for some wind. So I thought I would have some lessons to see how I went. (Yes, I will get to my thruster question in a moment).

It is entirely different to windsurfing naturally, although those I know who are not into board sports think that the same skills apply to them all.

Anyway, I have been keeping an eye on the surfing forum to get some tips etc, having been an avid watcher of the windsurfing forum for a long while. I know it is new, but there doesn't appear to be much activity (stick with me here).

I thought I would help it along a bit.

Through this forum, I have just brought my first board. It is just an old one (mini mal 7'6"), but I am thrilled and can't wait to give it a go. I was told it was a thruster, which I was informed was a tri-fin. So my question - why is a tri-fin called a thruster?

Also, most of the boards I have seen have had the three fins. Is this now the way or do fin styles go in and out of fashion?

It was called a Thruster when Simon Anderson's (the inventor of the Thruster) accountant told him it would earn him a lot more money.

My interpretation is that the thruster design gives more power and acceleration through the turns, so therefore I guess the name is kind of attention grabbing and descriptive at the same time.
You'll notice that the side fins are angled inward slightly. This apparently is what gives it the "thrust". There are probably tri-fin designs around that do not have this exact set up.

Thanks Qwerty

I had noticed the inturned fins. All I have to do now is get proficient enough to use them properly.

hi guys, can't surf myself but what the hay....

should have stuck on the windsurfing forum, it was said that the difference was that a thruster has 3 equal size fins and a tri fin has a bigger centre fin.

me, i haven't got a clue.

also true

Yes, a mate of mine recently bought a new board and it has the thruster angled fins, but his centre fin is twice the size of the others. So this would be a tri-fin.

m8 only shortboards under like 6'8 wid 3 fins can be called thrusters. i reckon anythin ova that is a gun.. and try keep away from the mals unless ur like 100 yrs old!

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