Surfboard fins with flexible edges

A surfboard having a top surface and a bottom surface, a front end, and rear end;

• and
• at least one fin extending downwardly from said bottom surface adjacent said rear end, said fin comprising:
• a rigid body element having a leading edge, and a trailing edge;
• and a flexible material covering disposed on said leading and trailing edges of said rigid body element, said covering material having sufficient thickness, softness and flexibility to minimize injury to a person impacted by a leading or trailing edge of said fin, and to be deflected by water pressure during surfing to provide a rudder, anti-cavitation, action as a surfer shifts his or her weight on the top surface of the surfboard;
• and
• wherein said rigid body element of said fin has a base, and sides, and is connected to said bottom surface of said surfboard by resin impregnated fiberglass rope at said base, and resin impregnated fiberglass cloth along said sides.

A surfboard having a top surface and a bottom surface, a front end, and a rear end;

• at least one fin extending downwardly from said bottom surface adjacent said rear end, said fin comprising:
• a rigid body element having a leading edge, and a trailing edge;
• and a flexible material covering disposed on said leading and trailing edges of said rigid body element, said covering material having sufficient thickness, softness and flexibility to minimize injury to a person impacted by a leading or trailing edge of said fin, and to be deflected by water pressure during surfing to provide a rudder, anti-cavitation, action as a surfer shifts his or her weight on the top surface of the surfboard;
• and
• said fin rigid body element having a Shore D hardness of at least about 60;
• and said flexible elastomeric material covering, having a Shore A hardness of about 40-100, and disposed on said leading and trailing edges of said rigid body element, but not disposed on significant portions of said rigid body element except said leading and trailing edges.