Surf fins, also known as skegs, have come a long way since their early days in the sport of surfing. The earliest surfers used boards without fins, riding the wave using just their own balance and skill. However, as surfboard design evolved, so too did the development of fins.

In the 1920s, Tom Blake, a pioneer in the sport of surfing, began experimenting with attaching fins to surfboards. These early fins were made from metal and were attached to the board using screws. They provided a significant improvement in the surfer's ability to control the board and make turns.

In the 1950s, fiberglass fins were introduced, which were lighter and more durable than the metal fins of the past. These fins also featured a new design, with a curved shape that provided more lift and control. This new design, known as the "California" or "kelp" fin, quickly became the standard in the industry and is still in use today.

In the 1960s, a new type of fin emerged, known as the "thruster" fin. The thruster fin is a set of three fins, one large center fin with two smaller fins on either side. This design provides even more control and maneuverability than the traditional single fin.

The 1980s and 1990s saw a rise in the popularity of alternative fin designs, such as the "quad" fin, which features four fins of equal size, and the "five-fin" setup, which allows for even more customization and control.

In recent years, the use of materials like carbon fiber and new manufacturing techniques have allowed for even more diverse surf fin designs, providing surfers with even greater control and performance on the waves.

Surf fins have come a long way from the early days of surfing where boards were ridden without fins, to the current day where fins are made from advanced materials, multiple fins with different shapes and sizes to suit various conditions and styles, All this to provide the surfer with the most control, speed, and precision.