Santa Barbara, California Surf Blog - True Ames Fins

A FEW NEW PHOTOS – SURF FINS and BARRELS

trueames — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:55:53 +0000

Just a few random shots from the past few days. Was really stoked to get some glassy waves last weekend. I switched it up from an old set of clear fins to these yellow hexcore set. These were the Eric Arakawa template that were working perfect in the 3-4 foot clean surf. They really excelled in the glassy conditions and were nice for cutbacks.

Then I went for a body surf in the shorepound for some closeout tube shots with the water camera. Waiting for that big swell and good lighting to get some more.

photos: Ryan Kleiner

NORTH SHORE in BLACK AND WHITE

trueames — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:23:51 +0000

Hawaii usually conjures up images of blue skies and turquoise waves. Sometimes taking out the color can show the true power of the surf even more. It’s not always sunny either, so on overcast days with rain squalls lighting and water color is far from perfect as are the waves. Here are a few shots from Pipe and Rocky Point on some not so perfect days. Although the color of the waves has been desaturated, the energy of the surf is raw and oversaturated…

These were during the lay days of the Vans World Cup of Surfing.
Photos By: Ryan Kleiner

HAWAII TRIPLE CROWN – SUNSET CONTEST

trueames — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:46:16 +0000

Here are a few shots from the 2nd day at the Sunset Contest on the North Shore of O’ahu. The swell has become a bit more manageable with lighter winds today. The first day of the contest (Sunday) saw larger windy unorganized swell with way bigger sets. Today the sun was shining and still double overhead on the sets. Swell is kind of dropping but more on the way for later in the week with less wind and should be good.

Photos By Ryan Kleiner:

( top ) Looking up from Rocky Point on Monday Morning at the contest scene. Some heavy tubes for sure…

( middle ) Contest crowd was massive on Sunday. Great weather and good swell = lots of people from all over.

( bottom ) Adam Robertson getting a good top turn in his heat.

PORTUGAL PHOTOS: SURF KAYAK TRIP

trueames — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:54:22 +0000

True Ames Team Rider Chris Harvey recently took a 2 week trip to Portugal for some surf kayaking. Chris also met up with the shaper from Watertech Kayaks to start work on a new surf kayak design. Thanks for the update Chris! The photos are rad!

Kelly Slater Claims Historic 11th ASP World Title at Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco

trueames — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:50:46 +0000

OCEAN BEACH, San Francisco/California (Wednesday, November 2, 2011) – Kelly Slater (USA), 39, has claimed a historic 11th ASP World Title today, clinching the year-long pursuit with his advancement out of Round 3 at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco.

FREE SURF ART PHOTO WALLPAPER

trueames — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:49:10 +0000

Here is our latest wallpaper image free to download.

Free Surf Art Wallpaper 1280 X 960

Free Surf Art Wallpaper 1920 X 108

Battle of the Paddle 2011 Coming Up

trueames — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:46:30 +0000

The Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle
Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, CA
September 24 & 25, 2011

Dana Point, CA — The stand-up paddle phenomenon known as the Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez “Battle of the Paddle” first ignited at Doheny State Beach, California, back in 2008. Since then, the ingenious formula of high-energy races and stand-up paddle (SUP) exposition has become the heartbeat of an industry and the pulse of a global lifestyle. The fourth annual Battle of the Paddle 2011 returns to Doheny State Beach September 24 & 25, and by all accounts will be the greatest battle yet.

Check Out our selection of stand up paddle race fins

How To Surf Better – Get New Fins – Get Hexcore

trueames — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 23:38:12 +0000

Looking to stay in the tube longer, surf more vertical, or just surf faster? We have a bunch of templates to fit your style, board, and surf conditions. Our Hexcore technology fins give you more drive and perfect flex. These fins are available in FCS compatible, Futures compatible, and glass on. Not only does the Hexcore perform better but is also 25% lighter than standard fiberglass fins. Try a set today and feel the difference!

Most people don’t realize that the fins on their board have a very important role in how well they are surfing. Fins that are too big are going to obviously make the board hard to turn, fins too small will slide and not give you drive. Fine tuning your fins is trial and error but when you dial in the perfect setup, you will surf better for sure. One of the main things you want to accomplish with your fin setup is to get the most drive and then turns will follow. A Hexcore fin is going to give a lot of drive where plastic molded fins will not. If you’re surfing smaller fun waves you may want to go with smaller fins to allow more release on your turn and better turning radius. When surfing bigger, more powerful waves, switch to larger fins for more drive and more drawn out turns to keep from sliding out on critical sections. The size of the fins in direct relation to the waves you are surfing is the first step. Not all fin templates are created equal! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fin templates. Here are some key point on fin design to help you choose the right surf fin.

Flex

Flex is a very important element in our designs. Many of our fins come with a tuned flex. A fin that has flex can be very different than a fin without flex. The flex concept brings to life an otherwise average ride. Cutbacks have more power and bottom turns have more projection.

Foils

True Ames Fins incorporate a constant foil which means you will not find any flat spots on our fins that may cause water disturbance which will ultimately cause poor performance. Smaller fins do not need to be so thick to have the proper foil.

Size

The depth of your fins is measured from base to tip vertically. Adjusting your fin size will affect the performance of your board. Larger fins provide more stability and control, so a larger board will need bigger fins.

Template

The outline of a fin is what determines the area and the look. The way the area is distributed on the fin is what makes fins individual and work in so many different ways. A wide base fin with a wide tip is the most stable but not forgiving. A narrow base fin with a narrow tip will be very loose and fast but unstable at slow speeds. The fin’s sweep (or rake angle) affects the board’s ability to carve turns. A more vertical fin will make tight turns and fast directional changes while a more raked fin will carve wider arcs and handle more power through turns. Tail width is also a factor in fin choice. Narrow tail boards do not require deep fins because there is less distance from the fin to the rail. A wide board requires a deeper fin than a narrower board. range.

Fishy Fins

trueames — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:59:25 +0000

If your looking to try some new fins on your Fish, take a look at these. From solid fiberglass to Hexcore to wood… We’ve got you covered. Our Twin fins come in FCS compatible, Futures compatible, and Glass ons.

FINS, FINS, FINS…..

trueames — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:09:48 +0000

Just a few of our selection here at True Ames

Check out the site for our full selection and latest products.

This morning, under the variable clouds of a thousand fractions of
sky, perched on the dented hoods of cars domestic to a hundred
countries, we are looking at the same waves we looked at yesterday.
As the other 99.9% of surfers, we’ve cheated, become infidels to the
savagely nomadic wavesledder wed to our minds long ago. We’ve
instead become frontiersman of our own backyards, cartographers
to an infinity of patterns across the wave faces we know best. For
over 30 years at True Ames, we’ve forged enterprise and folk science
from our desire to redesign these lines in as many languages as we
can learn. Faster. Stronger. Lighter. Stranger. Each member of
our little family of designs is an opportunity for reinventing our
turns and reliving old ones, this time with a little magic, and next
time with a little more. Enjoy.