Select Hydrofoils

The specificity of Select fins is that all the fins are molded in metal moulds with prepreg materials similar used in the aircraft industry. This production process requires high tech machinery! Select is the only manufacturer that developed this unique process to produce windsurf fins.  

Most other fins are made in polyester, vinyl ester, G10 or similar materials. The fin’s are mostly produced by hand-machined or CNC machines milling polyester in gross plates of 10 to 12 mm. Finishing is done by hand as well. Given these production factors the change is there that differences in fin profile with unacceptable tolerances can occur. Besides that the mechanical properties of the materials are limited as they are made of homogametic structures.
Referring to our technology we consider 3 super important points:

1. Molding fin’s means 100% profile consistency in production
2. Due to Select’s prepreg technology we are able to position different materials and material direction on the inside of the fin, therefore we can stick to the ideal profile design and obtain the right flex and twist figures.
3. Because of molding technology the stiffness in the length direction can be controlled better at any given length.
   

A few hand-crafted custom production fin brands remain, but they are more and more outdated by the prepreg technology! 

We manufacture all our fins in our own plant based in Montreuil-Juigne (France)!

AHD, BIC SPORT, EXOCET, FANATIC, STARBOARD, TABOU

Yes, they will. Please consider our fin selector to get an accurate answer!

Yes, you can. All you need to do is mount the fin with longer screws, more precisely +18 mm screws
if you used to use a Select fin in deep tuttle.

We have developed several fin selectors. We want to point out that our fin selectors will point out exactly the right fin and recommended length for you.

You most likely have a problem to find a balanced setup for your whole quiver. You have allot parameters which could be the cause: an incompatible mast,  too much or less down and / or outhaul tension, wrong boom height, wrong harness line length or a wrong mast base or foot strap setting. Ask your fellow windsurfer or dealer for advice to help you adjusting these settings. Rigging adjustments are essential, a sail works like an engine and the fin acts as a transmitter, that’s why, if the engine is not properly adjusted, you can’t expect miracles. The fin can’t make it up for everything else!  

It does in an indirect way, through the choice of the board and sails available on the market.
For example: a 95-kg person who wants to do wave, slalom or free ride at 15-20 nodes do not use the same volume and the same sail as a 70 kg person.
The criterion for the choice of the fin will be directly influenced by the sail and by the volume of board(s) used.       

It is possible on 100 and 145-litre boards, as their scoop lines enable this. This improves performance, but the jibes are a bit more difficult to launch. For boards less than 100 liters the use of a slalom fin is more delicate. Scoop lines being more curved, rails being thinner, a straight slalom fin will interfere on the balance of the board and on the sailing comfort! In this case, a multi-purpose fin such as the Sride, Ride, Supercross or Bump & Jump will bring a true versatility between speed and driving comfort.              

We mainly work through a network of importers and retailers. Our retailers are our service points and local promoters for our sport. The recognition of our sport relies on windsurf shops and our support is essential for the image of windsurfing. Select on-line shop : for those who do not have a local distributor or those who don’t have a Select dealer nearby can buy our products online, our E-commerce section is part of the economic picture and Select has to fit in this method of distribution.

An on shore wave fin is a more powerful fin which gives more support and more speed when the sailing conditions are difficult. To sail comfortably upwind in conditions with a strong current from the side and to get on the plane quick we advice to choose a more on shore orientated fin.
Side shore fin’s are more flattened, more flexible for a greater fluidity going down the line.
When the conditions are good with a consistent and strong wind, the sailing style is more dialed in and the changes of direction can be made easier.
On shore fins are really multi-purpose fins, in terms of speed and control. Side shore fins are not only directed at experts. Their flexibility is much appreciated by riders who want to sail smoothly.