Testing C3

Over the last month I have been lucky enough to test the new C3 prototype freestyle and wave fins. This is my report on the experience.

The Spinner 18cm

From Fins

Compared against a stock 22cm fin on the 101 Fanatic TE Skate. Tested at a variety of locations and conditions.

The most immediate thing I noticed with the Spinner is its speed and the control at speed. This is probably not surprising given the racing and speed pedigree of the C3 brand. I immediately felt how much easier it was to slide through moves. The Spinner needs very little encouragement to slide and its sliding characteristics seem to get more controllable the faster the board speed, which is the complete opposite of the stock fin. The board also feels ridiculously fast off the wind, faster than a freestyle board should sensibly go but with a lots of control. Over time the Spinner has encouraged me to keep my pops lower and faster.

Overall impression
The Spinner makes me sail better, smoother and more consistently stick moves with higher speed and control (even in significant chop), and is my definite preference in powered up sessions. For larger sails or when sailing in slightly underpowered conditions I would personally prefer a larger version, say a 20cm to improve low speed planing and upwind ability.

The Vortex 23cm
Compared against a stock 23cm fin on the Fanatic 81 New Wave at cross-off head to logo Lyall Bay.

Like the Spinner the first thing I noticed about the Vortex was the speed and control at speed. But the most surprising thing was the power of the fin through the bottom turn. It seems the harder you push the board through the bottom turn the more board speed that is generated. Like a multi-fin board you can easily adjust to a tighter turning arc, however unlike a multi-fin board the Vortex generates a noticeable surge in power off tight bottom turns. The best way I can describe it is a whip like feeling.


The Vortex has no noticeable downsides in comparison to the stock fin.

Overall impression
Please don't take the Vortex back! The Vortex has injected the excitement back into my single fin and makes me want to sail my single fin in good cross-off conditions all the time.