Australian National Surfing Museum
Fin, Circa 1984
... winged keel...An example of the innovative winged keel design based... of the innovative winged keel design based on the Australia 2 yacht ...
An example of the innovative winged keel design based on the Australia 2 yacht (Americas Cup winner 1982). The Star Fin was a collaboration between Australian pro surfer, Cheyne Horan, and Australia 2 fin designer Ben Lexcen. Horan won 1984 Bells Beach surfing festival riding a board using this fin design. This fin design represents a radical departure from surfboard design thinking at that time (early 1980s) Most people were concentrating on multi fin designs Mark Richards with high performance twin fin designs, then Simon Anderson's 3 fin 'Thruster' design. Cheyne Horan employed the talents of innovative yachting designer Ben Lexcen (who designed the Americas Cup winning Australia 2) to design a unique Star Fin which would provide greater hold for a single fin at critical angles. Horan proved the effectiveness of this design by winning the 1984 Rip Curl Pro at Bells beach using a board mounted with one of the Star Fins. The Star fin represents an unusual (for surfing)scientific and innovative design approach. This is a rare and representative item signed by design instigator Cheyne Horan.Cheyne Horan Star Fin. Moulded polycarbonate red Star Fin. Fin is signed by Cheyne Horan with "HAVE A GOOD SURF FROM Cheyne Horan". Manufacturers and makers information embossed on base. Concept by Cheyne Horan Design by Ben Lexcen Patent Pending STAR FIN
Made from Lexan Polycarbonate by Star Fin p/l PO Box 1293 Nth Syd Aust.red, star fin, cheyne horan, ben lexcen, winged keel, bells beach surf contest 1984