C3 Fins in the UK
C3 Fins are fast becoming established as THE performance fin in both slalom and speed circles. Designed by Boogie Vierth and Dave McPhee from Wildwinds in New Zealand, they are precision milled G10 fins that will rival anything else on the market. The proof is in the pudding, with both Dave Garrel and Kevin Greenslade using them at Weymouth Speedweek this year and claiming the top two windsurfing spots for the event. And take a quick look down the year’s GPS Speed rankings and you’ll see the who’s who of speed are using C3 fins. Many of the brands’ test teams use C3 fins in their R&D programme, whilst the reputation for control of the Venom freerace fin has led to Starboard replicating the fin for their Futura range (albeit using a less accurate moulding technology).

The Official Test Centre (OTC) in Weymouth are very pleased to say that they are the UK importers, so go to their centre in the grounds of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) and try them out for yourself. For more information get in touch with them on  0121 2889965 / 07817 717904, or email info@otc-windsurf.com.

OTC website: www.otc-windsurf.com

We are pleased to present the K4 ‘Bubble’ Freestyle Fin and the K4 ‘Stubbies’. Both new models have been in the RandD stage for the past 6 months with Bubble playing an integral part in the freestyle fin.

K4 Stubbies: We designed these with heavy weight riders in mind. They have a more stubby surf style template, giving more area for each length of fin. They are stiffer to give more early planing and we reduced the rake to keep the fin loose.

K4 Freestyle : A unique combination between sweep and upright. Tested in all conditions the fin is light and slidey but still has enough grip to enter into moves.

More at k4fins.com

Bubble on K4 Fins

Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers has been in touch to let us know about his signing to K4 Fins…

When I was out in South Africa this winter the boys in the house had some K4 Quad Fins and they had been raving about them! I thought well I need all the help I can get! I was having problems with loosing grip at the top of the wave on my stock fins that came with the board. The boys were hogging the bigger sizes so I was left to try out the small set 13′s at the back and 8′s on the front. I actually had more grip then before!! I was amazed! I could push as hard a I could and still not loose grip but then when I did loose it a couple times the fins almost sprig back and bring the board underneath you again. The main thing for me was I had more confidence and control on the wave which is when my wave sailing started to improve. I thought “I have to have these!” But they were more of a set for the boys to test, so I stole them!! The way I saw it I wouldn’t have the confidence to compete in the waves with the top boys without them! As it stands I came 3rd in Wales and 3rd in Ireland in my first full year competing on the wave tour and I was using the K4 fins!

I then got in contact with Steve about possibly making a freestyle fin. It was new territory for both of us as we didn’t know how the material would work for freestyle. The great thing with Steve is that he actually listens to everything you say! So we came up with a couple of shapes and Steve moulded them up super quick! It was also the windiest week in the UK so far so perfect for testing the shapes! I tested them in my new secret freestyle spot at Rye Watersports (not so secret anymore!) so I got the chance to test them in all sorts of chop and flat water. The first thing I noticed was that I couldn’t feel any difference between the plastic ones and the G10 ones! Which meant we had a great opportunity to change and play around with the shape to get the ultimate freestyle fin. The other main things to consider are the weight and the cost, which are both a lot less than normal G10 fins! I took the prototypes straight to the UKWA Freestyle event in Minis bay and won the event using them. I have that much confidence them. We are now just tweaking the shapes and design a little and I am taking the fins on to the World Tour for the whole year and really looking forward to getting on the new ones!

My results in the UK Waves and Freestyle so far this year have been directly attributed to K4 fins and I’m feeling super stoked to be a part of the team. A brand made by windsurfers for windsurfers who listen and innovative and are just hell keen on getting out on the water and going sailing pushing the limits of themselves and their equipment to the max!

More at www.k4fins.com / www.k540.com

Graham Ezzy flying the plastic fantastic over Ho'okipa

K4 fins are stoked to announce that Graham Ezzy has joined their growing team of top riders. Graham has been using the fins for the past month and loves them. Here are some words from the man himself: “With K4 fins on my board I can hit lips later because the extra flex in the fin allows me to project my board on top of the wave’s curl instead of inside it. That combined with the ability to turn tighter is why I love these fins right now. Overall, they really free up my sailing because I can fit my bottom turn into smaller sections and go more radical in my top turns.”

BOARDS Mag managed to get hold of a set of these fins to see what all the fuss is about. Adrian Jones discusses the finer details of what this new technology brings to windsurfing in the March 2011 issue – in a nutshell, they’ve got the BOARDS / Boardseeker thumbs-up!

Pix, videos and info can now be found on K4′s new website alongside information on stockists, tips from pro riders, blog and Twitter feeds with the latest goings on as well as heaps of fin info. Be sure to sign up to the newsletter as well to get sneak pics on new fins, and latest news. More at k4.com

Talking of K4 Fins, the boys over in the K4 design department are busy working on their new fins and want to know what colour you would like them to be in. You have a choice and can place your vote on the K4 blog polling station. Vote here to make your voice heard.

Joerg Sonntag and Zara

Sonntag is a new fin manufacturer on the windsurfing market. Speedsailors Pete and Zara Davis met the owner and chief designer Joerg Sonntag and his wife Alexandra at a recent Belgian Speed week in Gruissan and were very impressed by their level of professionalism and understanding of fin technology. Zara was particularly interested in the ability Joerg has to customise the Sonntag fin flex and twist to accommodate the individual rider. This is unique in the fin world, as usually fins are developed by heavy powerful male team riders and not for lighter weight riders.

Basically, give Sonntag your height, weight and the boards you use and he recommends a size stiffness flex % etc of the fin – FANTASTIC! Also of great interest is the GPS 2 fin specifically designed for speedsailing. This fin has a very narrow width and negative center profile which should reduce drag at higher speeds. Zara says: “I can’t wait to try it at West Kirby.”

Sonntag's SL-S

A few words from Joerg Sonntag: “We focus on high performance / competition fins in custom technology. We try to stay at size where we still can produce products adopted to specific customer needs. We use highest quality materials available on the market to create fins that work for you”

There are 3 fin ranges currently SL-S, SL-P and the GPS 2 with more coming in August.

If you want to know more please email Joerg directly on Sonntag-fins@freenet.de or visit the website at www.sonntag-fins.com