How to choose the perfect keel

Looking to improve your surfing? Are you an intermediate or advanced level surfer? Do not know how to continue progressing in surfing?
The answer to all these questions is the keel, an element that will become your best ally if you seek to advance your career as a surfer.
This accessory will give you a better handling of the table at the time of catching waves, becoming the extension of your table.

What aspects should you keep in mind when choosing your keel?

1. Your weight. All manufacturers classify their tables according to a weight range, and this is a feature that you should not overlook at the time of purchase. For large waves you will need longer keels, this will improve grip. In the case of small waves, you will need small fins to improve the maneuverability of the board.
2. The system of subjection of your table. You must choose those keels that are compatible with the anchoring system of your table, otherwise you will not be able to use it.
3. Your level surfing. Depending on the stiffness of the keel, this will be indicated for one type of wave or another. For strong waves it is better to use rigid fins that give a better grip. While flexible keels will be used for less powerful waves, allowing more dynamism, less grip.
4. Type of wave to surf. For large waves, keels large and with more angle, getting a greater grip and speed in the turns. For small waves, small fins with a smaller angle, allowing less grip and making shorter turns.

What is the influence of the keel?
This component intervenes in three fundamental aspects when it comes to getting good surfing, these are:

1. Pivot: It translates as the ability to make short turns. To know if you have a higher or lower pivot, you will have to observe the angle that forms the leading edge of the keel with the board. This angle is called "sweep", the more sweep you have, the more sweeps you can make. In the case of looking for a surfing more loose and with shorter turns, it is best to opt for keels with a minor sweep.
2. Hold: This translates to the ability to grip the board with water. To know what type of hold your keel has, you should see the length of the keel from the bottom of the table to the top. A keel with a larger hold will provide more grip, being perfect for more powerful waves. While a keel with a smaller hold will provide a smaller grip, making possible greater maneuverability of the board in smaller and faster waves.
3. Drive: Known as the ability to maintain speed during surfing. This will depend on the surface of the keel. The larger the surface, the greater the drive, that is, the greater the acceleration capacity when leaving a turn and the greater the grip during it.

If you want to know more about the keels, here is one of our articles . See you next week!