One flies a Raptor, one flies a Piper Cub, each performs differently. With enough time in the air, each becomes the master of their own craft. While each is skilled in their specific craft, there is no instant crossover …
I do agree with the idea that it is the Indian and not the Arrow. However a better built arrow can help the less talented Indian. An average or poor designed arrow with great marketing put the Indian in jeopardy .
I will say this the boards being offered today are far better then those of the 1990s For the most part those Ultra thin over rocked boards that could barley get out of their own way.
Artz. you beat me to it. A good board can make an average surfer seem competent, and a bad board can make a pro look like a kook. The comments about a pro like Curren being able to ride anything well are just silly. Even if it is an old beater, or something unusual, it is still a good design underneath.
And for the glass slipper comments, those glass slippers don’t work for the average beer drinking, surf on weekends, physically ungifted average Joe. But they do work on a thin, agile, low body fat, professional athlete who surfs or swims five hours a day, every day.