Summer 2025: Permanent Vacation Collection Available Now
Summer 2025: Permanent Vacation Collection Available Now
by Erika Togashi March 04, 2024 4 min read 1 Comment
The surf is on, you’re grabbing your favorite SEPTEMBER swimsuit, the mid-length waits for you in the trunk of the car but should I ride it as a single fin? Maybe a two plus one? Or what will it feel like as a quad? Does a mid-length twin fin sound crazy?
Too many questions. Not enough answers.
The answer might be a little clearer than we first thought.
First, let’s check the conditions and put them into four categories:
Most of us regardless of our level can sit on the beach and roughly determine where the conditions fit into these parameters, and the boundaries between them can be relatively flexible. A big or fast wave for you might not be big or fast for someone with more experience; so be honest with yourself and take it personally.
So let’s relate fin selection to those categories.
Small or soft waves are low on the potential energy from Gravity. If we’re not as high up or the wave slope isn’t so steep, then we won’t have much of a hill to drop down and gain speed. This means we need to make the board as efficient as possible, so it can still function in low energy waves. Allowing water to flow underneath the board with as little disruption and turbulence as possible is our ticket to this. So less fin = more laminar and clean water flow producing more lift to reduce drag, and more forward thrust. In big or steep waves where we have a good hill to drop down, then we’re not so concerned about finding speed, but instead getting down the line and past fast-breaking sections might be the challenge.
In brief, twin-fins are fast as they allow water to flow underneath the center of the board with low turbulence (no center fin disrupting the flow). The clean water flows backward producing more thrust forwards. And since the twin fin fins are often fairly large, they produce a lot of lift towards the wave face, so surfing down the line they can lock the board into the wave face and generate strong speed and grip. Without the center fin though they are a little looser and slippy when we lean on the back foot to maneuver, as the missing center won’t hold and direct the nose. What that means is twin fins are well suited to small or soft waves where generating speed is the priority but expect a little less predictability when maneuvering.
The two-plus has the directional stability of a single fin, with a small portion of rail engagement from the side fins. Sometimes the overall size of the three fins is a bit smaller than a normal single fin, or normal side fins, and that’s so the overall drag created is less. Look for a bigger wave or faster wave for this setup to work best as we need to compensate for the drag.
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by Charlotta Linder June 19, 2025 1 min read
A short Q&A with Dana Hamann—surfer, retreat host, and co-creator of DanceLightly Surf & Awareness Retreats. We chat about what inspired her journey, life in Lombok, and her deep connection to the ocean.
by Charlotta Linder May 20, 2025 3 min read
Erika and Nat discuss the SEPTEMBER x Alaia Mentawai collaboration, sharing their creative journey and what inspired the collection.
by Charlotta Linder January 24, 2025 2 min read 1 Comment
Discover why winter waves are always worth it—our top tips for staying warm, making every chilly surf session unforgettable, and enjoying those post-surf moments. 🍵
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This is now my summer staple. Feels very cool with the heat when it’s wet.
I’ve been wearing the Alaia surf suit from September, and it’s quickly become one of my go to surf pieces. The fabric is incredibly soft and comfortable, but what really sets it apart is how secure it feels in the water. Whether I’m paddling out, duck diving, or getting tossed around during a wipeout, this suit stays on. There’s no sliding, and no pulling down in the front when water rushes in during a duck dive. I also love the print it just makes me happy every time I put it on. September and Erika really nailed it with this one. I live in Costa Rica, and it’s perfect for shortboarding and made for real surf conditions.
Suit fits true to size and feels perfect in the Honolulu summer ocean! I hope it lasts forever!
Love the print and the fabric. Perfect for diving !
Great top, fits well and true to size. Super soft material. The print is vibrant and detailed. I surfed in it the other day. It was comfortable the whole time and stayed in place.
Great surf top! Fits true to size and is secure. I am a 34C and the S fits my bust well. I do wish the straps had a bit more elastic for extra support but very pleased with the overall fit, comfort, and functionality!
I have been a die hard Lucky Bottom girl for some time now! They are tried and true: Secure, supportive, and stay put so I don’t have to worry about any slips in the lineup. Fit is more moderate but very flattering; material is soft and buttery and very very comfortable. I have multiples of the bottom and while I can wear a XS or S - I will say I prefer the fit of the XS to ensure extra security, especially when wearing these bottoms in bigger waves of consequence. If you are between sizes, I would recommend sizing down!
This top is so good! Super comfy, supportive, and it actually stays in place when I’m surfing or just laying out. The fabric feels really nice and the fit is super flattering. Love the square neckline and the textured fabric. I’ve been reaching for this one nonstop. You can really tell the quality in the fabric!
I love this super cute suit! Double lined so it stays in place while I’m surfing. Awesome color pattern.
Pattern is so cute, fits perfectly, true to size and super Flattering, and for sure the most comfortable bikini i got. Cant wait to have some more September in my closet🌺
I adore this sun crop top/rash guard. The fabric is super soft (I have never tried anything near this soft), and it fits so nicely! Perfect for longer surf sessions in the tropics/during summer, to stay protected from the sun. I used to surf in bikinis only, but this top has been a total game changer now as I want to protect my skin more. The thumbhole detail helps to protect the upper parts of my hands too, and makes it stay in place. Can’t recommend it enough!! Love it!
Really liking to surf in this. The coverage is perfect for me, feels comfortable at all times, it’s buttery but also resistant. I’ve gotten compliments on the cool green pattern too!
This top is exactly what I needed for the right support and a comfortable yet stylish feel (my biggest fear with bikinis is to see my top fly off mid wipeout!). The fabric is very soft and the color is actually super vibrant, I’m definitely loving it.
I really love the fit of these surf shorts! They are high waisted and I love surfing in shorties like these. The color and material is also nice. The only thing I don't absolutely love is the banded elastic waist, just because sometimes it is not the most flattering if you are in between sizes. Mine are really comfy and fit me well, I am a pretty standard medium and they seem true to size. They stay put in the surf and I got lots of compliments on these :) would recommend.
I surfed in this top and its super cute and stays put! Usually I end up with the same style of sports bra - esque surf top because it's all that really stays on in the surf, but this one is flattering and I didn't have to re-adjust it either. I got lots of compliments on this! Personally I took the padding out, it's nice that you can remove it if you want. I also really love the blue color and the ribbed material feels nice. Very comfy.
Scott
November 30, 2021
Very informative, thank you. Surfboard fins are probably the most underrated element of a surfboard. They’re actually great to have for safety and choosing the right fins for your style of surfing and your board is critical in making sure you get the best level of performance from your surfing.
Read more about surfboard fins and safety here:
https://3dfins.com.au/blogs/media-spotlight/surfboard-fins-and-safety