True Ames Greenough 4A Volan Single Fin dérive de surf
The Greenough 4-A in Volan fiberglass — George Greenough's all-round single fin, in nine heights, for anything from a shortboard to a longboard.The 4-A is the fin True Ames has built longer than any other, and the one that works on the widest range of boards: a medium profile with a full base and a tapering, moderately flexible tip.
La dérive
La Greenough 4-A en fibre de verre Volan — la dérive unique polyvalente de George Greenough, en neuf hauteurs, pour tout ce qui va du shortboard au longboard.
La 4-A est la dérive que True Ames fabrique depuis plus longtemps que toute autre, et celle qui fonctionne sur la plus grande variété de planches : un profil moyen, une base pleine et une pointe effilée, modérément flexible. En Volan, le flex vient du corps de la dérive plutôt que de la seule pointe, parce que les panneaux sont stratifiés et découpés de façon que le tissage soit orienté dans le bon sens. Cela se traduit par de la vitesse et de la projection en sortie de bottom et dans les virages. Neuf hauteurs, de 6.5" à 10.5", toutes en Volan.
Ce que cela donne
La base pleine d'abord : c'est de là que vient la relance en sortie de bottom, et c'est pourquoi la 4-A ne donne jamais l'impression d'être à court de poussée au milieu d'un virage. La pointe est l'endroit qui cède — elle se charge puis se détend, si bien que la dérive tient quand on le lui demande et relâche quand le rail se dégage. Neutre plutôt que spécialisée : ce n'est pas l'accroche la plus profonde en noseride, ni la plus libre dans le creux, et elle reste régulière partout entre les deux.
Pour qui
À peu près n'importe quelle planche équipée d'un boîtier single — shortboards, mid-lengths et longboards la reçoivent tous —, la hauteur étant le moyen de l'ajuster. Plus haute pour l'accroche sur une planche plus volumineuse, plus courte pour un tail plus libre. Le Volan est la fibre la plus souple des deux, donc voici la 4-A pour un surfeur qui veut que la dérive plie et se détende plutôt qu'elle reste rigide sous le pied.
Spécifications
Configuration
Dérive unique
Système de dérives
Boîtier single / longboard
Construction
Fibre de verre Volan
Tailles
6.5", 7", 7.5", 8", 8.5", 9", 9.75", 10", 10.5"
Foil
50/50
Coloris
Volan
Designer
George Greenough
Fabriquée par
True Ames, Santa Barbara CA
Spécifications
Ce qu'on en dit
Riders describe it as more powerful coming out of turns than a standard glass 4A.
The Volan layup springs from the trunk, not only the tip -- the full base still gives push off the bottom, but the whole fin feels alive under load.
The do-everything single fin for an egg or speed-shape mid-length: it trims fast, holds an arc, and unloads with snap on the way out, usually in the 7.5" to 8.5" band. It trades a little composure for spring and slip, so if your goal is planted noseriding on a heavy log, a pivot fin like the Heritage is the better tool.
The Greenough 4A Volan is the George Greenough 4A template laid up in Volan, a thicker weave that flexes through the body of the fin rather than only the tip; True Ames orients the panel weave so the fin springs from the trunk. The template has a full base, moderate rake, and a tapering tip. It is offered in sizes from 6.5" to 10.5" and runs on eggs, mid-lengths, and a wide range of single-fin boards.
Mentioned in the review — Greenough 4A (standard glass) · Greenough 4C · Heritage — not something we carry.
Pourquoi le Volan
Volan is a woven fiberglass cloth — heavier, coarser, and more flexible than the solid fiberglass used in the standard 4A. It's laid by hand over the fin blank and finished with a resin that cures to a warm amber tint. No two volan fins look exactly the same.
The difference isn't cosmetic. Solid fiberglass flexes mostly at the tip — the body stays rigid, so energy transfers immediately. Volan flexes through the entire fin. It loads energy into turns and releases it progressively, giving a smoother, more connected feel. Surfers describe it as "warmer" — the fin does more of the work, trimming and holding without demanding constant input.
The extra weight is part of the design. A volan 4A is roughly 15–20% heavier than its solid fiberglass counterpart, and that mass adds momentum. Through flat sections and lulls, the fin carries speed instead of stalling. On a longboard trimming down the line, that momentum is the difference between making the section and bogging.
When to choose Volan
Volan's momentum and smooth flex match the trim-and-glide style of classic shapes. The fin carries you through sections instead of demanding constant pumping.
If you like a fin that loads into turns and releases gradually — more flow, less snap — volan rewards a patient, drawn-out style.
Down-the-line waves let volan's progressive flex and carry shine. You'll notice the difference most on long, open faces where trimming speed matters.
The amber tint, raw cloth texture, and hand-finished irregularity are part of the appeal. Volan fins look like they belong on a traditional board.
When to stick with solid fiberglass
If you're pumping, snapping, and surfing aggressively, solid fiberglass gives more immediate response and a stiffer drive through turns.
Short, steep waves reward the instant energy transfer of solid glass. Volan's progressive flex can feel sluggish when the wave demands quick changes.
Solid fiberglass is lighter. For boards where swing weight matters — shorter single fins, 2+1 setups on mid-lengths — solid glass keeps the tail light.
Volan vs Solid Fiberglass at a Glance
| Volan (this fin) | Fibre de verre pleine | |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Pattern | Full-body, progressive | Tip-focused, immediate |
| Weight | Heavier (~15–20% more) | Lighter |
| Feel | Warm, smooth, forgiving | Direct, precise, snappy |
| Speed Through Flat | Carries momentum | Needs pumping |
| Turn Response | Gradual load and release | Instant engagement |
| Finish | Raw amber tint, hand-laid texture | Matte, uniform |
| Best Waves | Point breaks, mellow walls, long lines | Beach breaks, punchy hollow waves |
| Best Boards | Traditional logs, gliders, hulls | HP longboards, mid-lengths, 2+1 setups |
Both versions use the same 4A template — same outline, same rake, same foil. The difference is entirely in how the fin flexes and how that flex translates to feel underfoot.
Want the stiffer, lighter version?
Shop the True Ames Greenough 4ASingle Fin dérive de surf in solid fiberglass ›