Most Popular Questions

Shipping and Deliveries

We are open and shipping orders Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST, we do our best to ship all orders same day or the next during our normal business hours. Orders are normally delivered 2-3 days domestically from ship date depending on location, day of purchase, and shipment method chosen. International shipping length depends on location, and the shipping carrier selection. Please allow a couple extra days for shipping during observed holidays.

We ship almost everywhere in the world! A great way to determine your best shipping method and cost, is to proceed to checkout. The checkout process will show you your available shipping methods specific to your location before you have to enter any payment info etc.. If you aren’t sure you can always email us at info@trueames.com to find out!

We use a real time shipping calculator in order to offer our customers the best possible rates from the following carriers: USPS, FedEX, UPS.

You will automatically receive a tracking number once your order is shipped.

Orders placed Monday - Thursday are usually shipped the following business day. Orders placed on holidays or over weekends will begin processing the next business day. 

Retail orders are generally shipping within 2-3 business days. 

*Please note, there may be delayed shipping times due to Covid-19 and the number of orders that we're currently able to process in a single day.

Thank you for your understanding and patience! 

Customer must notify True Ames Fins at time of purchase if a signature is required for residential delivery. True Ames Fins is not liable for any lost or stolen goods that are delivered to a residence without requiring a signature.

Duties, taxes and other fees are determined by the customs agency within the destination country and are the responsibility of the recipient. These fees will be due at the time of delivery and are non-refundable. True Ames is not responsible for customs and duties. For more information, please contact your local customs office.

Fins

A. The size of your single fin is determined by a variety of factors. A general rule of thumb is for every foot of length for your board should equate to an inch in height for your fin. For example a 6 foot board would work well with a 6 inch fin… but other factors come into consideration, like tail width, the rider’s weight, type of board ect… For more information regarding picking a fin out, check out the How to Choose the Right Fin page or send us an email at info@trueames.com for a proper recommendation.

Placement of a single fin the box can greatly change the feeling of your surfboard. Placing the fin forward creates a loose feeling, which makes it easier to turn your board by shortening the radius in which the board pivots. Putting the fin towards the rear of the box will stiffen the board up, adding control and drawing turns out longer. We always recommend playing around with the location of your single fin, slide it up for one session and back the next until you find that sweet spot! 

A larger fin will increase hold (control) and drive (generated speed) but could ultimately slow your board down because of the increased drag. A smaller fin will increase sensitivity and reduce drag, making your board go faster, but will reduce hold. That’s why it’s important to dial in the size of a fin, to create a balance of these aspects to best compliment the wave conditions and style of surfing.

Flex characteristics play a huge part in the performance aspects of a fin… Softer (or fins with more flex) will load up and release energy when maneuvering the board up and down the wave face which delays reaction time but will ultimately provide more projection. Flex can add an energized feeling to your board. A stiffer fin will add control and quicken reaction time, lending itself to faster and more critical wave types where those rapid changes are needed. Check out our Fin Terminology page for more info.

Rake, a main proponent of the template, drastically changes performance. A more upright fin (less rake) will provide your board with a tighter-arcing radius. Fins that are more swept back (more rake) will draw out your turns.Check out our Fin Terminology page for more info. 

Weight plays an important role when deciding the size of a fin, especially fins you’d be using for a multi-finned board. For tri-fins, the general weight-to-size range would be; Size S (>130 lbs), size M (130 lbs - 170 lbs), size L (170 lbs +). When determining the size of a single fin, weight is down the list for contributing factors but still should be considered to a degree. For example, those on the smaller size might use a single fin only .5" or .75" different than someone on the other side of the scale. 

Absolutely! Fin and surfboard designs are more often than not created to compliment a type of wave. For instance; a more upright fin (less rake) will provide your board with a tighter-arcing radius is usually the standard for smaller, mushier waves when sections are smaller versus a fin with more rake which will draw out your turns which would compliment a larger, more slopey wave. Often times larger and stiffer fins will provide more stability and hold as well for larger waves. When the waves are smaller and not as powerful you may want to be careful not to over-fin your board because it can start to feel sluggish and slow. 

Our solid glass fins are made with E-glass, the most common in surfboard construction due to its flex characteristics and long lifespan. Hexcore, or RTM (Resin Transfer Method) fins are created with hexagonal pieces of lightweight coremat which displace fiberglass and resin, resulting in a fin 25% lighter without compromising performance. We often use hexcore for our shortboard fins because of their slightly more minimal weight. 

All of our single fins are designed to fit in the industry standard, U.S. made - Fins Unlimited / Bahne single fin boxes. We can only guarantee that our fins will fit within the specific tolerances of Bahne designed boxes. 

The performance characteristics of volan versus E-glass is what makes them such a premium product. Volan fins flex more from the center of the fin rather than the tip like a typical E-glass fin, making them feel livelier with added drive and projection. You can check out the Volan Collection here.

If you are at all inclined about the importance of the design aspects of your surfboard, then investing in fins should be a no-brainer. Fins are an important part of any surfboard and should be taken into special consideration. A lot of times your fin(s) are 50% or more of your equipment volume that is actually touching the water when your surfing. Quality fins provide quality performance which leads to more waves and more fun! Don't skimp on your fins if you don't skimp on your boards, they're equally as important!

Returns and Exchanges

Exchanges are made in two steps: returning and re-ordering. 

Contact Customer Service via phone or email to notify us of your exchange. Please have your order number handy if available.Order the replacement item per usual with our Customer Service representative or through our website, at your convenience.

You will be charged for the new item at the time of the order, and refunded after your original item is returned, received and processed.

You will be responsible for safely packing and paying for the return shipment. Once your original item is processed for return, you will only be credited for the item total + taxes if applicable. The original shipping costs (if any) will not be credited to you. You are welcome to wait until your return has been processed and credited before making the replacement purchase if that is more convenient. Keep in mind, inventory moves quickly, especially during holidays and sale times, so we encourage you to re-order sooner rather than later to avoid missing out!

*Misfits and Web Special fins are not eligible for exchanges.

Items being returned must be postmarked within 10 days of the date received. Items that have been used or altered in any way will not be accepted for return. 

Returns must be authorized via phone or email conversation with True Ames, and your name / information / order number must accompany the products being returned. 

True Ames is not responsible for return shipping costs. True Ames is not responsible for loss or damage via return transit, and we will not accept damaged goods for return (we suggest shipping returned items with a carrier that provides tracking and insurance). The original shipping cost associated with the order will not be refunded.

A full refund for the price of the original unaltered and undamaged products (+ taxes if applicable) will be provided at the time of safe return and inspection at True Ames Fins. 

*Misfits and Web Special fins are not eligible for returns.

Returned packages must be shipped to:

True Ames Fins
74 Aero Camino #A
Goleta, CA 93117

For any further questions please contact us at: info@trueames.com

True Ames Fins
74 Aero Camino #A
Goleta, CA 93117

All Misfits and Web Specials are sold as is, and all sales for these items are final. Returns or exchanges of Misfits and Web Specials will not be accepted.

Accounts and Orders

Being a registered user offers you faster checkout since you won't have to re-enter your credit card or shipping and billing information. When you place an order that information will be filled in automatically.

Your credit card will not be charged until your order is shipped.

You can access, correct and update certain personal information that you have provided to us by clicking on Account Icon in the top right of the website and then click Edit Account.

If you have created an account profile with us, you can login at anytime prior to receiving a shipping confirmation email in order to cancel.

If you do not have a customer profile with us, you can email info@trueames.com or call (805) 685-8341 in order to cancel the order. Please be ready to provide your personal information as well as your order confirmation number. We can only guarantee successful order cancellation prior to receiving a shipping confirmation email from us. 

Once your order has been placed, you will receive an order confirmation via the email address you provided. You will receive a shipment confirmation email that will contain your tracking information after your order has been processed

We are proud to stand behind the quality and performance of our fins, and we will do all we can to make sure our customers are satisfied with replacement if there are manufacturing defects in our products. We offer a 1-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. 

It is at the sole discretion of True Ames to determine the validity of any reported manufacturing defects. True Ames may request for the product under question to be returned to our warehouse for inspection. True Ames' warranty does not cover any issues or damage related to normal wear and tear, accidental damage, alterations made by a customer, inappropriate use, damage due to external circumstances (hitting rocks or reef etc.), warping due to heat exposure, or loss of the product. 

Original proof of purchase is required for warranties. If there is a manufacturing defect issue, True Ames will replace the product(s) within a timely manner and cover the shipping costs for the replacement item(s). 

Misfit fins are for retail sale only. Wholesale clients are ineligible for Misfit fin purchase. 

When you enter your credit card information on the final review page and submit, you'll then be given an order confirmation number. You will also immediately receive an e-mail confirming that your order has been received. We will send you another e-mail to notify you when your order has been processed, payment has been secured, and your items have been shipped.