This is a comprehensive buyer's guid for All Gato Heroi surfboard fins to assist you in finding the right fin(s) for your board. The guide includes every Gato Heroi fin model, including C, T, D, B, F, P, K, RK and OP technical profiles, surf performance tips, and clear board pairing recommendations. Whether you’re upgrading your current setup or buying a Gato Heroi fin for the first time, each section connects you directly to product listings, making it easy to compare options and choose the right fin for your surfing style.
Robin Kegel’s overall fin and surfing philosophy is rooted in the conviction that surfboards and their fins must operate as a seamlessly integrated system, not as separate components. Deeply influenced by innovators like George Greenough, Robin values the interplay of board outline, rail shape, and fin flex, believing that true surf performance is achieved when all these elements harmonize to enhance speed, flow, and a dynamic connection to the wave. He deliberately moves away from fins as nostalgic accessories or mere pivots, instead seeking to maximize the board’s potential for fluid rail engagement, lively feedback underfoot, and expressive, modern surfing that still respects traditional roots.
In his fin design, Robin applies this philosophy by engineering each Gato Heroi fin with precise flex characteristics, foil profiles, and shape, specifically tailored to unlock the intended performance of its matching board model. Rather than defaulting to stiff or purely retro templates, he experiments with variable flex zones and progressive foiling, so fins can store and release energy through turns, making boards feel quicker, more responsive, and suited to both classic noseriding and new-school maneuvers. This approach means Gato Heroi boards, when matched to Robin’s carefully designed fins, offer a uniquely lively, rail driven ride that rewards committed surfers with both traditional glide and modern maneuverability.
Gato Heroi Fins: Buyer’s Guide, Board Pairings & Technical Details
Gato Heroi C Fin Flexible Single Fin for Performance Longboards and Midlengths
Recommended Boards: Smooth Operator, Dagger, Death Dagger, Double Dagger, Roach, Play Pig, select high-performance midlengths
Surfing Feel: Speed, projection, energetic rail engagement. Brings logs and midlengths to life with dynamic carving and fast direction changes.
Flex: Progressive, tip loads and releases through turns.
Rake: Moderate (tip sits about 4.5 to 5 inches behind base).
Specs: Height 9.5 to 10 in, base 5.9 to 6.1 in, 10 to 11 mm thick at base tapering to 4 to 6 mm at tip.
Gato Heroi T Fin High-Speed Flex Fin for Hulls and Pocket Surfing
Recommended Boards: Playboy, Roach, Space Roach, Acid (Speed Acid, Drop, Egg, 2020), Surfar, Space Pig, Space Pig PG, Falcon (smaller)
Surfing Feel: Hull-like glide and trim, rapid transitions, ideal for high-speed and pocket-oriented midlength surfing.
Flex: Strong in upper half, springs energy through wraps and cutbacks.
Rake: High (tip extends 6 plus inches behind base).
Specs: Height 9.5 to 9.75 in, base 6.2 to 6.5 in, 13 mm at base down to 5 mm tip.
Gato Heroi B Fin Upright Pivot Fin for Classic Logs and Noseriders
Recommended Boards: Californian, Playdate, Fat Cat, Creme logs, any classic wide-tail log
Surfing Feel: Maximum noseride lift, smooth pivots, stable and forgiving feel.
Flex: Low, stiff for control and stability.
Rake: Low (tip set about 3 in behind base).
Specs: Height 9.5 to 10 in, base 6.6 to 6.8 in, 14 mm base to 7 mm tip.
Gato Heroi D Fin Classic D-Style Pivot for Vintage Log Surfing
Recommended Boards: Operator, Play Pig, Fleur (traditional builds)
Surfing Feel: Pure pivot and heavy tip lift, anchors tail for vintage noseriding and slowed-down style.
Flex: Minimal, extremely stiff.
Rake: Zero (tip sits directly above base).
Specs: Height 9.5 to 10.25 in, base 7.2 to 7.5 in, 15 mm base to 8 mm tip.
Gato Heroi OP Fin Squaretail Upright Fin for Speed and Drop-Knee Turns
Recommended Boards: Killer, Chop Op, squaretail Operator variants
Surfing Feel: Upright for fast release from the tail, snappy drop-knee-style turns, classic speed.
Flex: Moderate, controlled and lively.
Rake: Low to moderate.
Specs: Height 9.5 to 10 in, base 6.3 in, 12 to 13 mm base, 6 mm tip.
Gato Heroi P Fin Maximum Hold Fin for Power and Big Boards
Recommended Boards: Double Dagger, Surfar (when max hold is needed), select custom hulls
Surfing Feel: Deep hold and drive, powerful control for big boards and challenging surf.
Flex: Low, very stiff.
Rake: Low to moderate.
Specs: Height 10.25 in, base 7 in, 14 mm at base, 7 mm tip.
Gato Heroi F Fin Loose-Drive Raked Fin for Modern Pigs and Classic Progression
Recommended Boards: Fleur, Play Pig (modern setups)
Surfing Feel: Balanced looseness with drive, allows modern turning while maintaining classic stability and trim.
Flex: Progressive, smooth flex through tip.
Rake: Moderate (tip about 5 in behind base).
Specs: Height 9.5 to 10 in, base 6.5 in, 12 mm base, 6 mm tip.
Gato Heroi L Fin Versatile Log Fin for Balanced Maneuverability and Classic Stability
Recommended Boards: Classic and modern Gato Heroi logs, Playdate, Fat Cat, Fleur, custom wide-tailed noseriders
Surfing Feel: Well-balanced blend of noseride lift and flowing rail-to-rail transitions. Gives confident tip time with enough release for smooth turns and responsive trimming.
Flex: Moderate, with a stiffer base and a touch of tip flex for both stability and lively feel.
Rake: Moderate, providing a sweet spot between pivot and drawn-out turns.
Specs: Height 9.5 to 10 in, base 6.5 to 6.8 in, 12 to 13 mm thick at base tapering to 6 mm at tip.
Gato Heroi Killer Fin Upright Squaretail Fin for Speed and Drop-Knee Precision
Recommended Boards: Killer, Chop Op, squaretail Operator
Surfing Feel: Extremely upright for crisp tail release, fast transitions, and powerful drop-knee pivots.
Flex: Moderate, controlled yet lively.
Rake: Low to moderate.
Specs: Height 9.5 to 10 in, base 6.3 in, 12 to 13 mm base, 6 mm tip.
Gato Heroi RK Fin Robin Kegel’s Signature Fin for Progressive Single-Fin Surfing
Recommended Boards: RK signature series, limited Gato Heroi logs and hulls, Smooth Operator, high-performance customs
Surfing Feel: Powerful but responsive, quick pivots, crisp transitions, and advanced rail surfing.
Flex: Moderate to strong in tip, snappy, and dynamic.
Rake: Moderate (tip just behind base).
Specs: Height 9.75 to 10 in, base 6.0 to 6.25 in, 12 mm base to 5 mm tip.
