At many beautiful shallow water spots in Europe, such as the Baltic Sea or the shallow inland waters from the Netherlands to the south of France, the weed fin is in constant use between June and October. Due to the shallow angle of inclination ("rake") of 40-50 degrees, the seaweed automatically scrapes backwards and is therefore left behind. However, due to the centre of effort of such a raked fin being significantly further back, hobby surfers often struggle with a less free ride and poorer upwind performance during the seaweed season.
The question often arises as to what is actually worse: a bit of grass on the "normal" fin or the weed fin?
We realised that the size has to be right so that the board with the seaweed track holder doesn't completely mutate into a lame cucumber. This depends on several factors, which we have dealt with extensively during fin tuning, among other things.
In addition, the following is an overview (as of spring 2023) of freeride and freerace seaweed fins on the market, sorted alphabetically by brand.
Concept X
The house brand of the Fehmarn surf shop - whose home spots on the sunny island are known to be quite infested with seaweed - offers a range of fins to combat the green weed. The model Weed Race made from G-10
is said to offer good guidance with very smooth running - making it the model of choice for freeriders and freeracers. The two smallest sizes are even available in a US box.
Concept X Weed Race
- Available lengths: 28/30/32/36/40cm
- Material: G-10
- Box systems: Power, Tuttle, Deeptuttle and US-Box
- Price: 99 - 119 Euro >> available here
Fins Factory
As mentioned above, the shallow inland areas of France (Étangs) are predestined for seaweed infestation, especially in the summer months. The French Fins Factory also supplies its customers with special fins for these areas.
"Anti-Algues" is the name of their department with two different models in many different lengths.
Fins Factory AW Classic
- Available lengths: 24/25/26/27/28/29/30/31/32/33cm
- Material: G-10/GC-10
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox
- Price: 149 - 189 Euro
Fins Factory AW Diamond
- Available lengths: 24/25/26/27/28/29/30/31/32/33cm
- Material: G-10/GC-10
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox
- Price: 159 - 199 Euro
GunSails
The renowned sail manufacturer from Saarbrücken has not only had sails in its range for a long time. With the model Weed Control they offer an all-round weed fin, available in power and tuttel box - starting at 75.00 euros.
Gunsails Weed Control
- Available lengths: 23/26/29/33/36/40/44
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox
- Prices: 75 - 149 Euro
JP-Australia
The board manufacturer JP-Australia also offers accessory fins. Interesting for freeriders in seagrass areas: the model Weed Freeride - available in three different lengths for Tuttle and Powerbox.
JP Weed Freeride
- Available lengths: 31/33/36cm
- Material: G-10
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox
- Price: 199 - 219 Euro
Lessacher fins
A Ruhrpott original! Wolfgang Lessacher from Oberhausen has made a name for himself over the years with his unusual, sometimes quadruple concave fin shapes, especially in the seagrass sector. Regularly to be found at weekends on the Dutch inland areas such as Strand Horst, Mr Lessacher supplied the hobby scene directly on site with special fins for the shallow areas.
The popular model Quattro chameleon is the all-rounder and bestseller in his large seagrass range. Available in three different sizes, made of 100% carbon or in G-10. Prices on request, via his Website.
Lessacher Quattro Chameleon
- Available lengths: 24/28/32cm
- Material: Carbon or G-10
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox
- Price: On request
Maui Ultra Fins
The fin specialist Maui Ultra Fins has a large sea grass range for all disciplines. It goes without saying that this also includes designated freeride and freerace models. The inclined all-round fin, which is simply called "Weed", is particularly worth a look for freeriders, alongside the special speed and race weed fins. Available in G-10 or carbon, in many lengths and even different colours.
MUF Weed G-10
- Available lengths: 24/26/28/30/32/34/36/38/40/42/44cm
- Material: G-10
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox, Deeptuttlebox
- Price: 119-179 Euro
MUF Weed Carbon
- Available lengths: 30/32/34/36/38/40cm
- Material: Carbon
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox
- Price: 150 - 189 Euro
MFC (Maui Fin Company)
The Maui Fin Company is one of the best-known fin manufacturers in the world. Many series boards are equipped with fins from MFC. Accordingly, they offer a solid selection of inclined fins against seagrass - even if you don't really encounter shallow seagrass areas in Hawaii. For freeriders, the new Weed Ride be interesting.
MFC Weed Ride
- Available lengths: 30/33/36/39cm
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox, NUUS
- Price: 159 - 188 Euro
Select
The renowned foil and fin manufacturer Select is also a quick find in the seagrass department.
The French manufacturer awards its model 10/10 points Performance Weed in the freeride sector.
Select Performance Weed
- Available lengths: 29/31/33/35/37/40/43cm
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox, Deeptuttlebox
- Price: 199 Euro >> available here
Tekkno Sport
The fin range from the manufacturer Tekkno Sport is clearly structured. The freeride model suitable for the masses is intended to T-Zone Weed Buster made from G-10. With a price of just under 100 euros, up to a length of 32 centimetres, this is one of the cheapest weed fins on the market and is available for all box systems - even for the US box.
Tekkno Sport T-Zone Weed Buster
- Available lengths: 28,30,32cm
- Material: G-10
- Box systems: Powerbox, US-Box, Tuttlebox, Deeptuttlebox
- Price: 99 Euro >> available here
Unifibre
"To defeat the devilish green weed, we have once again teamed up with "Mr Weed-Slasher", Wolfang Lessacher", writes manufacturer Unifiber, whose focus is on fins suitable for the masses with a good price-performance ratio. In addition to the powerful Anti-Weed Lessacher Bladefreeriders looking for an affordable weed fin that is easy to control should consider the Weed Slasher Freeride into consideration.
Unifibre Anti-Weed Lessacher Weed Blade
- Available lengths: 24/28/32/36/40cm
- Material: G-10
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox
- Price: 139-159 Euro >> available here
Unifibre Weed Slasher Freeride
- Available lengths: 28/30/32/34/36/38/40
- Material: G-10
- Box systems: Powerbox, Tuttlebox
- Price: 109 - 129 Euro >> available here
