Greenough Power Glide 45 Volan Fin
Building upon our continually evolving Greenough offering, we are pleased to present the newest design in the collection named the Power Glide 45. This design incorporates many elements similar to those in its predecessor - the Power Blade, yet it has been further refined into a more approachable and user-friendly fin that is ready for broader applications and continued experimentation.
In close collaboration with George Greenough, we modified the outline of the Power Glide 45 to incorporate more rake, more flex, as well as softer curves. The '45' in the title of this design is aptly referring to the rake which appears as if it is approaching a 45* angle (the actual rake is 32*, which is also 9* more than its predecessor - the Power Blade). The additional rake in this fin will allow for a more generous turning radius as well as a bit more forgiveness overall. Suitably named the 'Power Glide', this fin will hold it's line through larger and smoother arcing turns. In addition to the added rake, this fin also has more overall area than the Power Blade which will feel a bit more steady and reliable under your feet. Lastly, the Power Glide 45 also has a greater amount of flex resulting in more responsive and adaptable performance. The overall goal was to provide an offering that has easier handling, and will be more applicable in a wide range of uses / surf conditions.
Born from the same lineage, the Power Glide 45 incorporates many of the same materials and undergoes a similar layup / foiling process as the Power Blade... A core element of the design requires the stiffness and performance integrity of an extremely strong 'leg' in order to support the enormous amount of load on the 'head.' In addition, the biggest key to the design was creating the ability for the 'head' to twist as opposed to only flex like normal fins do. This phenomena produces 'variable-tow,' an attribute which allows the fin to twist back and forth and in turn create propulsion based on the angle and direction of attack. Meticulous material selection has resulted in a unique lay-up combination of high-density epoxy and fiberglass materials that have met the strength qualifications needed, without suffering fatigue and breaking down the fibers. The careful construction meets three demanding requirements... stiffness where needed, particular flex characteristics, and the ability to twist.
A direct descendant of continued testing and design revisions, the Power Glide 45 is not meant to replace the Power Blade... it was simply created to serve a larger audience and a wider range of board designs through the additional rake, added area, and increased flex. We're stoked to continue to push the boundaries and the capabilities of single fin designs alongside George and his continual pursuit to find the perfect blend of minimal drag, hyper-sensitive response, as well as increased speed and maneuverability.