It's not the gear it's the paddler?

Believe it or not, this is a true statement. You couldn't hop on Danny Ching's race board and win the distance event of the Battle of the Paddle.
Studying stoke technique for a few years has taught me that there is no right way to paddle. So this statement is right to a degree.
After you hone in on your technique you need to ask yourself if Danny could win the race on your board...