Lovelace v.Bowls Volan Fin — Mid-Length

The Volan version of Ryan Lovelace's v.Bowls: a high-area flex single fin with extra rake, drawn as his mid-length fin.

Ryan Lovelace drew the v.Bowls as his mid-length companion: a wide base, ample rake and a full tip, stiffer than the average flex fin. This is the Volan version, in 7.75" and 8.5". True Ames builds its Volan fins around flex as much as outline. The panels are laid up and templated so the weave runs the right way, and the flex comes out of the body of the fin rather than just the tip, which is where the speed and the projection off the bottom come from.

How that reads

High area and ample rake give a long turning arc: the fin holds through a drawn-out carve and keeps driving down the line rather than pivoting under the front foot. The full tip is what stops it letting go early, so hold stays stable at speed. With the flex coming from the body rather than the tip alone, what is loaded into the fin off the bottom comes back as projection down the line.

Who it suits

Mid-lengths and speed shapes with a longboard box, ridden by someone who drives off the back foot in waves with real push. Riders after trim, small adjustments in the pocket and long, drawn-out turns from one fin. The same template is also sold in solid fiberglass.