I recently bought the awesome LF Kite Skim 2015 for cheap.
It's a really fun board and definitely challenges my balancing skills etc. The few times I have taken it out in low wind I was on the water earlier than most others.

I was wondering if people ride Skims with or without the fin and how big the difference is? So far I left the fin attached and the additional grip I can feel at my back leg is comforting for me at the moment.
However I have read that you're supposed to ride it finless.
I have not yet mastered the skill of switching, so when I change directions, the fin now is at the front and it makes the handling a bit weird. So so far I have always jumped off, turned the board and jumped back on, but it's not fun and I drift downwind etc.

Any comments or thoughts would be most welcome.

Thanks for the response Kite4life.
Does the fin induce a fair bit of drag? I was aiming to use the board mostly in light winds, so am I better off to remove it then?
Conditions around here are never completely smooth, there is always a degree of chop.
I intend to use the board in the surf too...

Rowdy is your man for this question.

Thanks Rowdy.

Much looser without fins, you need get your position just right to carve, relying on the board edge. It's a step up. Brad Domke on YouTube is inspiring stuff..

this is insane if you haven't seen it:

he could drink a beer at the same time!

Nah ...... put some wax in there if your concerned, but there should be no impact at all.

austin said..

sir ROWDY said..

loftsofwind said..
Rowdy is your man for this question.

Here I am all dressed in snakeskin .

Ditch the fins! You will thank yourself later! It's like debating whether to ride waves with straps, for some conditions it might be better, but the challenge of pushing yourself and progressing your technique and control is very rewarding when it all comes together.

how about on a w8sk8?

Same deal.