Greenough 4A Volan
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.
The Fin
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. In Volan the flex comes from the body of the fin rather than just the tip, because the panels are laid up and templated so the weave runs the right way. That reads as speed and projection off the bottom and through turns. Nine heights, 6.5" to 10.5", all in Volan.
How that reads
Full base first: that is where the drive off the bottom comes from, and it is why the 4-A never feels like it has run out of push halfway through a turn. The tip is where it gives — it loads and comes back, so the fin holds when it is asked to and releases when the rail comes off. Neutral rather than specialised: not the deepest hold on a nose ride, not the loosest in the pocket, and steady everywhere in between.
Who it suits
More or less any board with a single box — shortboards, mid-lengths and longboards all take it — with height as the way to tune it. Taller for hold on a bigger board, shorter for a looser tail. Volan is the flexier glass, so this is the 4-A for a surfer who wants the fin to bend and spring back rather than stay stiff underfoot.
Specifications
What people say
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.
Why 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) | Solid Fiberglass | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Greenough 4A in solid fiberglass ›