Fins matter, plain and simple. They determine how high our lines, how smooth our turns, and how crisp our trim. But different fins work different ways on different boards. The best way to figure out the various fin equations? Experiment. Not until you have a board under your feet, feeling first-hand the difference between a quad and a single-fin, a hatchet and a squirrel tail, will the explanations and analysis make full sense. So do you and your surfing future a favor, and try a few out.