FCS II Thomas Volan Longboard Fin

The FCS II Thomas Volan Longboard Fin is Thomas Bexon's signature single-fin template, designed to blend drive and smooth release through turns with the hold needed for traditional noseriding.

Inspired by the tall fins found on Australian old mals of the mid-1960s, the Thomas combines classic longboard characteristics with a carefully balanced flex and outline. It's designed for surfers who want to move around the entire board — trimming from the middle, cross-stepping towards the nose and then stepping back onto the tail to turn.

Designed with Thomas Bexon

Developed with renowned Australian longboard shaper and surfer Thomas Bexon, this fin reflects the traditional boards and style of surfing associated with Thomas Surfboards.

The template isn't focused solely on maximum noseriding hold. Instead, it balances hold, drive and release, making it a versatile traditional longboard fin for surfers who want to combine time on the nose with smooth, controlled turns from the tail.

Classic Old-Mal Inspired Template

The Thomas fin takes inspiration from the height and outline of Australian old-mal fins from the mid-'60s.

Its relatively upright 30.5° sweep helps create a stable feel while trimming and noseriding, while the outline retains enough release to allow the board to transition smoothly through turns.

This makes it particularly well suited to traditional logs, step decks and other classic longboard designs.

Hold for Noseriding

A good traditional longboard fin needs to keep the tail engaged when the surfer moves towards the front of the board.

The Thomas provides plenty of hold for noserides, giving you confidence when cross-stepping, hanging five or spending longer periods perched towards the nose.

At the same time, it avoids feeling like an overly restrictive dedicated pivot fin.

Drive & Release Through Turns

Step back onto the tail and the Thomas provides the drive needed to push through a turn, combined with enough release to redirect the board smoothly.

That balance is one of the defining characteristics of this template.

Thomas Bexon describes the fin as having a touch of flex through the tip, but not so much that it develops the soft or "doughy" feeling that can occur with highly flexible longboard fins.

Performance Glass Construction

The Thomas uses FCS Performance Glass construction.

Performance Glass fins are machine-cut from layers of solid fibreglass, producing a relatively stiff base while maintaining controlled flex through the fin. FCS uses PG for fins where maintaining predictable flex under significant load is important.

For a traditional single-fin longboard, that translates into a solid connection through turns while still providing enough response through the tip.

FCS II Tool-Less Longboard System

The Thomas also benefits from the FCS II Tool-Less Longboard System.

Rather than using a conventional plate and screw, the fin can be installed and removed without a fin key. You can also adjust its position within the fin box during a surf.

That makes it easy to experiment with your setup:

Move the fin forward for a slightly looser, more responsive feel.

Move the fin back when you're looking for increased stability and hold.

The system is designed to work with most existing longboard fin boxes.

FCS Thomas Fin Sizes

The Thomas template has been produced across several sizes, allowing you to match the fin to the length, volume and design of your longboard.

These specifications are published for the Thomas template by FCS.

Features

• Thomas Bexon signature longboard fin
• Thomas Surfboards collaboration
• Volan colourway
• Inspired by Australian mid-1960s old-mal fins
• Designed for traditional longboarding
• Excellent balance of drive, release and hold
• Plenty of hold for noseriding
• Controlled tip flex
• 30.5° sweep
• 50/50 foil
• Performance Glass construction
• FCS II Tool-Less Longboard System
• No conventional plate and screw required
• No fin key required
• Adjustable fin position
• Compatible with most traditional longboard fin boxes

Perfect For

Traditional longboards, logs, step decks, old-mal inspired boards, cross-stepping, trimming, noseriding, hanging five and ten, and surfers who want to combine classic longboarding with smooth turns from the tail.

Why You'll Love It

The FCS II Thomas Volan Longboard Fin is a great choice if you don't want to choose between a fin that turns well and one that noserides well.

The upright, old-mal-inspired template provides the stability and hold required when you're on the nose, while the carefully controlled flex and outline allow the fin to release smoothly when you step back and turn from the tail. That's why FCS describes the design around the combination of release, drive and noseriding hold rather than positioning it purely as a pivot or noserider fin.

For surfers searching for a traditional longboard fin in New Zealand, the FCS II Thomas Volan is a premium single-fin option for classic logging, trimming, cross-stepping and noseriding.