Just because I say that reason tells me that “release” has limited application when you want to be plugged in to the power source, don’t get me wrong, I love speed. I don’t think we would be surfers if we didn’t. Like somebody said, to the extent the release can be controlled, it can be a good thing.
And I do like the look of that dimpled skin, and I have to believe that experimenting with the surface texture and finish is a valid path of inquiry. I always thought Jick Bottoms looked and sounded kinda intriguing, which is probably the low tech cousin of a hydrophobic surface.
In the final analysis, I think surfboard design (shape) is probably more relevant to performance than surface refinements, but every factor is relevant to some extent, obviously.
Despite a skepticism of advertising hype, I have nothing against striving for improvements - its nice when people can try to keep an open mind to innovation and creativity, whether its a Thrailkill twin-gle fin, a Ryan Burch finless, a George Gall asymetrical, Jick bottoms, a reversable board with fins at each end, a Fat Pelican surfboard, a pickle fork Gemini, a Rob Machado board-eat-board, or a textured hydrophobic finish.
Some of these appeal to me personally, some not so much, but each has pushed the envelope in some way, and each has its merits to somebody out there. Shoot, while we debate the pros and cons of surface improvements, the future might really belong to Surfoils’ hydroplane surfboards that ride above the wave!
I don’t think “progress” occurs in a linear fashion, I think its multi-directional and highly subjective. Which is why I like to say, to each his own, there’s lots of room for personal preference in the lineup, and manipulating the variables and options in surfboard design is part of the fun. =)