HOW TO - Ride Without Fins - Wakeboarding with Shaun Murray

Why fins? Why use 'em? If we're being honest... you don't need to have fins to wakeboard!
Wait, wait, wait... did I say you didn't need fins to wakeboard?!
...
A fin is meant to keep your board tracking straight and they're also there to catch you when you're doing something wrong. Riding with too much fin is going to allow you to get away with too many bad habits, which ultimately will prevent you from progressing in the sport.
So what's the right amount of fin?
Personally, I ride with 0.8" of fin. It allows me to still have a fun, playful board but also helps me when I need it. I send out the same amount of fin on all of my H/L Murray boards, too!
Questions? Comments? Drop them below and let me know what you think about riding without fins!
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➜ LEARN MORE ABOUT SHAUN AT
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shaunmurray.com
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Facebook- / shaunmurraywake
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➜ ENJOYING MY RIDE
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STANDING ON- Hyperlite Murray 139 & 144 hyperlite.com/en/product/wake...
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Nautique G23 nautique.com
Speed- 23mph Length- 75ft
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➜ DIALING MY WAKE WITH
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leadwake.com
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perfski.com
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➜ DRIVING THE BEST WITH
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mausfamilyautomotive.com

[@frankthetank8552]

That air in the intro is so cool. Ps you are a great teacher, you break down biomechanical principles in an engaging way and you can perform the complex and analyse the basics. Love your work 👍

[@Shaun.Murray]

Happy to help Frank!

[@bushog2944]

Shaun: riding with out fins is a little difficult so ima be doin some simple easy stuff Also Shaun: 12:30

[@standardnerd8694]

Literally gives me chills watchin' you ride.

[@Shaun.Murray]

Like good chills or 🤢? I hope good ones 😊

[@standardnerd8694]

@@Shaun.Murray Haha, for sure good ones! Motivates me to try new stuff seeing the amazing stuff you can do!

[@ryanshimabukuro3283]

Love this video! If I remember correctly, Chase Heavener rode his Gambler finless in FLF's "MayDay" in 1998 & Randall Harris was the first to ride an actual "finless" Thruster board in FLF's "My House" in 1999. My older brother told me a long time ago that if you watch Randall Harris ride, he always lands on edge to allow the board to track properly. And Josh Smith (another Hall of Famer) was quoted recently, "Fins are for fish, we edge into the wake! Your board is the only fin you need. And a board without fins, will be a mentor, if you listen." I rode a "finless" board for 5 years from 2006-2010 (the OBrien Vice). It only had molded-in fins, no bolted on fins. And the first few times I rode it, I would slip out when edging into the wake. It quickly taught me to use the edge of the board properly. And from then on, I loved that board. When I started riding the OBrien Format from 2011-2020, it only had bolted-on fins so I had to use really small ones (0.5's) because anything larger really felt too big. Now, I'm riding the OBrien Valhalla and just using the molded-in fins again, no center bolted-on fins. Feels good to have the equipment force you to use proper edging technique.

[@5446moto]

Shaun is such an amazing instructor. Makes things easy to understand, and then shows great examples.

[@Shaun.Murray]

Thanks Moto!

[@jacksonsarjent9597]

Murray “I’m not gonna do anything crazy “ Switch tantrum and a rally 😂😂😂😂 This guy awesome and he’s help me out so much for improving

[@robsoden8426]

Man I love watching you ride that board, you make it look effertless.The energy you project in your videos is so inspirational. Keep up the great work!

[@AlexGarcia-lo9hx]

Shawn, your videos are always so helpful! Thank you! Peace ✌!

[@darkwires]

I love everything you have done for wakeboarding. true legend. thank you for all the cool shht you have done over the years

[@knapb89]

Great video, man. I love the history box. I really appreciated the backstory on the why behind fins!

[@jasonjacobs1899]

Thanks dude. I'll be practicing this until I get it.

[@TheKeeganc]

That camera work was just as magical as watching you ride!

[@ryannelson9523]

Great video keep up the good work

[@jsatherusa]

I've lost my mojo Shaun, I don't know what happened, slow fingers. BUT, tomorrow is the first day with my boat on the water this year! Yes, short season here in MN. :(

[@Shaun.Murray]

Jerr! Wassup homie! Gettin' the boat in the water this weekend, right on! ✌️

[@paulgoulet4599]

awesome video man! I have to keep practicing switch, I ride goofy and when I try to switch I always get the run away board can never seam to get control of it. One of these days I'll get it hopefully. Love watching your videos.

[@morganrogers95]

Sweet. Very educational. Makes a lot of sense. Great video homie!

[@Shaun.Murray]

Morgan Rogers- Wassup homie! Thanks, glad you liked it! ✌️

[@the_pope_clan2408]

It’s been so long sense I’ll seen the clear purple fins, and rainbows! That’s a throw back!!

[@desertstoner450]

Thank you for that detailed explanation. And came at the perfect time as well. I just had a discussion with one of my buddies and he told me to remove the fins but really couldn’t tell me why. I did it to try but besides just being loose wasn’t sure what the advantage was.

[@juliabysshe]

LOVE your videos, Shaun. Also love that these are "just a few basics, nothing crazy" !!

[@Shaun.Murray]

Thanks for watching Julia!

[@renejgkeyzer-andreiii7954]

Thanks for this video Shaun, as it breaks down the why/how and then put it into actual use....these videos have been awesome to accelerate my learning of wakeboarding skills and technique.

[@Shaun.Murray]

Great to hear Renejg ✌️

[@shanemarshall2590]

Great video! I'd love to hear more about the history of wakeboarding and the equipment

[@Shaun.Murray]

Good insight and request. Will keep that in mind Shane.

[@mikecapp315]

Hey @shaun.murray your videos really helped me out this season!!! I have an actual bag of tricks now because of your videos!!! thanks dawg!

[@Shaun.Murray]

Love to hear it Mike 👊🏼

[@Rotimer]

Great video as always! Primarily a slalom skier, but after your video on the HO Hovercraft I've been finding more ways to get out there and have fun. The slalom flip was awesome, how about a Raley on a single? :) Love the content!

[@DragonForcer01]

Awesome!

[@Shaun.Murray]

Sup bro!

[@karigreyd2808]

I learned to wakeboard this weekend and without fins was way more fun. Wiped out more tho 😂😂. Most fun ive ever had.

[@Ask_the_neighbor]

I've been riding the Murray pro and the rxt roxin for the last 2 seasons and I preferred the Murray with no fins over the roxin . Love to butter 🧈😋.. Love the affect of the Murray pro ... NO fins !

[@BoardThroughThePain]

My old board has permanent fins lol. I took the middle ones off after my 1st few runs. My ex girlfriends old board had aluminum fins haha. Soon as her pops seen my plastic ones, he made her switch.

[@robbrowne3229]

I was reluctant to ride until watching your videos. Now I can’t wait. (73 yr young) I love my 2000 pro air nautique.

[@Shaun.Murray]

Love to hear this Rob!

[@jkcurti]

I purchased a HyperLite board because of you. Lovely board. My son and I have enjoyed many hours on the lake with that one. Thanks for continuing to touch on those 3 Fundamentals as well as all of the History, Tips (Gasoline Fast Fill, Can you Ride it!, etc.)! Peace!!!

[@Shaun.Murray]

Thanks for the great feedback JK and thanks for not only following the fun along but getting out there for some good times yourself!

[@justinkirk2116]

What kind of sunglasses are you wearing? Love your content…the GOAT.

[@stefanpries638]

Do a board comparison boat vs cable boards. So much has changed over the last 15 years. The sizes alone are much different today.

[@Fiftytwouts]

Mother Nature finally let me get out and try my new Murray 150. It’s perfect.

[@needmoreprivacy4947]

I have those same fins in my boat's glovebox :)

[@spencerfr1]

Can you talk a bit about fin placement? Corner fins vs center... a lot of boards have corners built into the frame but removable center fins

[@TheMattzki]

That trick at the end was fkin epic

[@donniedarko3777]

Went wakeboarding recently and my mate had taken the fins off of the board. There’s definitely a big difference and I found it a lot harder to keep my balance and stay on the board.

[@Shaun.Murray]

Fins help keep your board in the trough that it's creating rather than push out the side and start sliding.

[@rumtum99]

It’s so much more fun to watch finless riding.

[@billystyle27]

The right amount of Finn is, of course, Tony.

[@bengarrison5256]

On a bigger wake this summer. What is a good way to slow down inverts. Like the speed in which you rotate upside down and back

[@jremedy7053]

Man I feel old! I still ride an O'Brien Evil twin with that old fin and a hyperlite with a little newer fin, both circa 2000 🤣

[@Shaun.Murray]

I remember that board for sure. Didn't ride it but remember some of my buddies on tour riding it.

[@austindickman3205]

Hey Shaun. I know it isnt what this video is about but I have a question. I am 5'8 and about 150 lbs. I got your hyperlite model last year and first ride I was in love. However I got a 144. I am intermediate on a smaller wake and want to get into doing some good airs. Do you think I oversized?

[@CHFProductions724]

I just tried to clear the wake yesterday actually and ate it pretty bad, I probably should go find mine 😂 I also have that same rainbow fin on my Neptune Impala, is that anything like the Murray? Edit, I also have that see-through purple one you held up when you said “This is probably closer to some of the first fins.”

[@mikeshipway5990]

No lat ones I had were point 8 I wings off my murray pro model I carved down my wake skate fins last

[@DrewSchaeffer]

Awesome vid. Btw What song is that?

[@koglioknows]

Nice straight forward video. Question? Went wakeboarding for the very first time yesterday, with over 20 years snowboard experience was able to get up and ride about 5 minutes first try. HOWEVER, Purchased a board not knowing it didn't have fins, without having time to order some I rode anyhow , was doing great tracking and controlling my direction but would slip out everytime I tried to transition my stance 180. SO Should I get some fins for my board, or keep practicing without fins until I get the hang of it?

[@Shaun.Murray]

If there are fin holes, I'd say get some. No bigger than 1" each.

[@hephaestus6220]

Great video. One question I had was about center fins vs. corner fins. I currently ride a 137cm board and my son (11) rides a 125cm. Both boards have molded corner "fins" built into the board and also came with removable 1" center fins. We are both beginner-intermediate riders. I've removed the center fins on both boards. It seems like it works fine and forced us to use the edge of the board to cut but wanted to check if there was any advice about using or not using center fins.

[@Shaun.Murray]

Riding with just the molded in fins can be a good thing so good call on that. Just have to make sure you're using good technique 👊🏼

[@nickwyatt720]

Nobody: Shaun: “this will all be basic stuff” Proceeds to throw a massive raley to the flats into a tumble turn and then bel air😂

[@jamesdeininger3759]

Air R2R. Bel-Air is an air tantrum

[@wesleyvos3479]

Hi, thanks for the great video! I have a two inch fin in the center of my board (pretty old). Would you suggest cutting the same fin in half? I would prefer to have less resistance on the water, with a bit more control than riding without any fins.

[@Shaun.Murray]

Wes, good question. The fin won't cause a massive amount of drag compared to some other things like rocker, edge design, channels etc... so cutting it down won't speed it up a ton but some. I'd cut it down just to get a little more forgiveness out of it. Probably to about 1".

[@lukehamman3390]

I have an older wakeboard and it didn’t come with fins and I am having trouble finding fins because I need ones that use one screw but most I am finding use two screws

[@GiordoDagnino]

what do you guys do with the screw holes left when you remove the fins ?

[@debmartin7740]

My son took the fins off the board because he said they made the board more responsive. He thought it would be easier for his old mom to ride. I have been riding for several years with no fins. This video makes it seem like I should put the fins on and I might do better. I am a beginner beginner at 65 years young. Should I put the fins back on my board?

[@pureprotein9597]

Yeah probably, without fins, you slip around a lot more and are more prone to not recovering from any mistakes, and falling. You will have good edge discipline from riding finless.

[@franciscocravero3737]

Great video! Quick question: when you take the fins out, do you put the bolts back to cover the holes or something? Would leaving the bolt holes empty impact the riding at all?

[@Shaun.Murray]

Leave em empty. Doesn't change the ride much but might have a little water shoot through them once in a while but not much to note. ✌

[@franciscocravero3737]

You rock! Thanks

[@kylekrout2484]

I have never been on a wakeboard with fins. I learned last year and have never used them. I feel it’s easy without

[@leecambsuk2871]

Have just moved from a double up 7 142 to a slingshot windsor 149 and as I ride cable the majority of the time I was wondering how to improve my edging technique as fins are out for cable park use even though they're just 0.75".

[@Shaun.Murray]

Lee, thanks for checking this out! Have you watched this one yet? Let me know if this helps make sense of things. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4StgZyqgbKFj5o

[@leecambsuk2871]

@@Shaun.Murray Thanks Shaun, looked at the other video then watched some video of my own session and will adopt a better posture for turns and especially corners as I appear to be squatting somewhat with hips behind me. Leaves me a bit unbalanced on corners on system 2 cable.

[@ianmaxwell7525]

I’ve always wondered why it’s so easy to do a butter slide on a surf board, I think this explains it at about 8:20

[@dannymimms6489]

So i've ridden cable without fins for about 5 years now and did some behind a ski boat. We just got wake boat however and I was wondering if I should finally switch to fins, i hated riding fins behind the ski boat always felt so restricting but everyone I've asked has said I should use fins behind a boat was wondering if thought i really should use them or if id be good without them.

[@Shaun.Murray]

Personal preference. If you can pull it off, go for it! It's honestly harder to do without fins but is super fun to butter around.

[@keilansnider1805]

Probably a dumb question, but do you take the fins off before hitting obstacles at the cable park?

[@Shaun.Murray]

Great question, yes almost all riders will remove their fins for the cable park. -✌️

[@mikeshipway5990]

Ive had every single one of them fins and I chopped down some .8 I wings last!!!!

[@cooperc240]

is there a big difference between a board with 1 fin per side, and 2 fins per side? what would you suggest for a beginner? and how big of a fin for beginner?

[@Shaun.Murray]

We've gone to 2 outside fins bc you can go with shorter in height fins so they release when you'd like them to but can track when you want them to as well. Fins used to be pretty tall in height but short in length. We've made them longer in length so you can still get a lot of surface area which allows tracking but if/when you release them, they aren't in the way as much to catch while spinning the board around on the surface.

[@cooperc240]

@@Shaun.Murray thank you!

[@theoffspring14]

Center fins on the LiquidForce Trip, when would you recommend removing them?

[@wyssrealestate2175]

Once you have the basics and can control the board get rid of them especially once you start trying 180's and spins. Makes the board more forgiving when landing off a touch.

[@wyssrealestate2175]

If I remember correctly my trip had a pretty big center fin is that what fin your talking about taking out?

[@Shaun.Murray]

Good input by Wyss below. Really up to you. Try without and see how it feels. If you do this, slow down your transitions going from one edge to the other. Maybe size your center fin down and see how that feels.

[@wyssrealestate2175]

@@Shaun.Murray That just made my entire life haha love the videos man!

[@methanesprings4085]

I had a couple of rainbow fins lol.... maybe 1997 or so.

[@phoenixstone8797]

Does anyone know what speed he wakeboards at? and his weight??

[@Shaun.Murray]

Usually around 22.8 mph. 75' rope. About 148lbs 5'6"

[@chinstrap5233]

❤

[@DaveTW65]

I put on some weight over the past year and found out the fins had to go so I could spin,I probly need a bigger board but I’ve enjoyed bragging about being finless

[@ryanbakota5835]

Shaun:The fins are to catch u from doing something wrong proceeds to intro where he is skiing with guitars😂

[@Shaun.Murray]

🤣

[@grantjones4544]

No fin gang!

[@NectarHeadz]

no fins butter them biscuits

[@hondarevable]

Now do surf board fins on a wakeboard lol

[@Shaun.Murray]

SledNV- That's a new idea, maybe I'll give it a try! Runs on rails, tracks like a freight train 🚂! ✌️

[@hondarevable]

@@Shaun.Murray I would be scared to ride it.

[@ltownandfriends4531]

hes actually better without fins

[@Shaun.Murray]

🤙

[@tuanvutran3169]

Con ở VIETNAM rất mê wakeboard môn thể thao này nhưng không có điều kiện chơi và học hỏi chú.kỹ thuật rất hay và đẹp.chúc chú sức khỏe.

[@jesseneudorf1311]

I don't ride fins on boat

[@Shaun.Murray]

Right on! 🤙

[@bigHfwi]

Hi I am about to go surf

[@Shaun.Murray]

Hutton Stringfellow- First comment win! 🏁💪🏁

[@kennyholmgren4455]

Noice Hutton

[@snowy_halo197]

He looks like pulse from rainbow 6

[@Shaun.Murray]

I'll take it!

[@ericrankin6559]

First

[@Shaun.Murray]

Soooo close! ✌️

[@ericrankin6559]

@@Shaun.Murray thought I had it lol. I was just down in Florida and got to ride a park board behind a pontoon. It was fun to slide around! And the pontoon wasn’t quite fast enough for barefooting!!! 🦶🏼🦶🏼

[@GiordoDagnino]

what do you guys do with the screw holes left when you remove the fins ?

[@Shaun.Murray]

Nothing. But water shoots up through em sometimes. Doesn't bother the rider too much because it's behind em.