l surf and I am in shops ocasionally. The other day l was in a shop and saw the usuall stuff. Some single fin boards, doubles, three fins and quads, but l was checkin out one gun, and it had 5, yes, 5 fins. What is up with this?

Do not know all the theory behind the design but five fins are becomming common on short boards, not just guns. Two of the side fins usually have boxes that allow a canting change. l rode a 5 fin Greek Shorty around 7' 6'' in Huntington Beach last fall. l did not change the canting but did notice the board turns very sharp and also that the rails hold well on steep waves.

more fins the more drag which creates stability

Some of the new five fin boards are actually set up to be ridden with a variety of ins set ups. With five fins slots you can set up as a quad, a thruster, twin or a five fin bonzer.

l have not seen one yet, but l guess there is something new everyday. Personally, l think that it would create way too much drag for me. l ride a three fin long board, and three fin funboard and a twin fin fish, and l do not think l could handle more drag.