The RNF TWINZER ‘96er

The latest incarnation of our definitive fish design, the RNF ’96—enhanced with our TWINZER+ fin cluster.

Based off the RNF-’96, a 2021 re-vamped version of our original 5’5” Round Nose Fish (developed 30 years ago), it’s been our best-selling board of the past five years and arguably the best-selling “fish” model of all time. The TWINZER ‘96er combines all the proven performance design details of the RNF-’96 with the added grip, control, and drive of the TWINZER+ fin cluster.

All are descendants of the original hand-shaped boards, first ridden by teenaged Chris Ward and Cory Lopez 30 years ago and documented in the seminal surf flick 5’5” x 19 1/4—together making an indelible mark on the surfing universe.

The Roots of the TWINZER+

The impetus for the TWINZER+ has been building for over 25 years.

It goes back to 1999 and the Rusty Surfboards “C5 Challenge”—a surfing/shaper competition at our home break, Lower Trestles. Rusty had been creating and selling his own take on the Twinzer, using small canard fins strategically positioned on tri-fin/thruster boards. Thus the namesake “C-5,” because of the five-fin setup.

We entered with Dino Andino and Shea Lopez on boards shaped following Rusty’s C5 fin cluster. Dino made the final and finished as runner-up. A year later at Blacks Beach, we entered again with Dean Randazzo—who took the win (and a $10,000 check for each of us) on our five-fin canard “Twinzer” version.

We were stoked and intrigued, but didn’t pursue it further—until nearly 20 years later.

Fast Forward 20 Years

During the early Covid summer of 2020, renewed interest in Twinzer setups—especially through Stu Kenson’s work—sparked the idea again. We explored licensing the original concept from inventor Will Jobson to stay authentic, but ultimately couldn’t connect.

In recent years, a resurgence of boutique Twinzer designs and standout performance brought the concept back into focus—and reignited our curiosity.

Why the RNF ’96?

We started with the safest bet: our most proven alternative design—the RNF ’96.

With 30 years of R&D and thousands of boards made, adding a new fin setup to this familiar platform allowed surfers to feel the Twinzer+ effect without questioning the shape itself.

Subtle design refinements include:

• Added width to the tail hip to support the canard fins, balanced with a slightly wider nose
• Maintained equal width at 12” from nose and tail
• Deepened double concave through the tail
• Refined tail and deck foil

Inspired by the C5 concept, we added a third mini-box in the rear stabilizer position—creating the TWINZER+ system.

This rear box is designed specifically for a matching mini-trailer fin—no oversized thruster substitutions.

Options & Versatility

The RNF TWINZER ‘96er is highly adaptable across conditions:

• Traditional Twinzer: Two twin fins + two forward canards
• Small waves: Ride as a pure twin or twin + mini trailer
• More critical surf: Add the mini trailer for increased hold and control

With two standard fin boxes and three mini-boxes, the tail remains light, responsive, and flexible—finished clean with an extra glass patch.

The RNF has always been about high performance in all conditions—not just small waves. The TWINZER ‘96er continues that legacy as a true performance-driven design.

Twinzer Basics (For the Unfamiliar)

A Twinzer setup uses a small forward “canard” fin paired with a larger main fin on each side. The canard conditions water flow, improving efficiency and control.

• Reduced drag: Smoother water flow minimizes cavitation
• Increased efficiency: Similar to how a jib sail feeds a mainsail
• More drive & projection: Feels like extra gears underfoot
• Smaller fins required: Tighter turning radius without sacrificing power

Rider experience:

• Speed of a twin with added control
• Less spin-out, more confidence in turns
• Easy release for a looser feel
• Smooth flow through flat sections