FUTURES MOUNT. John John Signature

Height: 4.56 in, 11.58 cm Base: 4.45 in, 11.30 cm Area: 14.98 sq in, 96.64 sq cm

John's been prototyping his new signature fin for over a year. The initial concepts came from his favorite F4 Techflex, but his new life on the ASP World Tour and a late teen growth spurt required much more area than he was riding in 2011. Per him, the fin was to be a Techflex. We also added base and reduced the tip area. Drive, release and control were the primary measures, and John's effortless style proves high marks in each field.

When choosing your ideal fin it is very important to know about the characteristics of a fin template. This information will enable you to understand how fins will perform in the water under different conditions.

AREA: This is the most important variable to consider when looking for fins. The fins area is basically the size of the fin, which is determined by the weight of the rider. A larger fin area will give you more hold and drive. A smaller fin area will have a looser feel.

BASE: The base has a direct effect on the drive of the fin. A larger base increases drive and acceleration, but it could make your board harder to turn.

HEIGHT: The higher the fin is the more hold it creates, making it ideal for bigger riders. A shorter fin will feel looser, with a quicker release .

RAKE: A longer rake will draw a wider turning arch, maintaining good holding power , but may cause more drag. This makes it ideal for Point break waves. A shorter rake will draw a quick and tight arch , but may cause drift. This is ideal for pocket surfing and on punching beach breaks .

FLEX : This is the flexibility of the fin tip. A stiff fin is fast and responsive, although if it's too stiff it will make your board hard to turn. A flexible fin is more forgiving and offers a whipping sensation during turns, but it may make you feel as if you're losing control if it's too flexible.

CANT: The angle