> My, haven't we progressed
> i would like to see how many guys could rail ride today if
> they where given the equipment to do it on!
'suppose you was tongue in cheek, but will still try to guess.
Given that in the early 80s many who wanted to rail could learn within the same season, then I would say most that are good today could as well. Given the right equipment. There are still many modern railrides being ridden - Kona site, the Jersey comp this very weekend, the Bonaire guys, in Florida, and here. On Starboards, Mistral and Konas, as well as older boards. So it's not lost.
I don't think that that many modern freestylists could perform the top, more complicated compound rail and longboard tricks. That's a belief, that's all. In thems days, lots of very agile competitors were trying full-time and still couldn't. Would be the same kind of ratio today. In other words, I don't think doing the ballet thing we see in modern flat water freestyle would give the upper hand for fancier moves.
The equipment has progressed indeed. Freestyle has taken different turns. But more athletic? Not sure - just different.
BTW, if you wanted to try:
http://www.knowledge.lbwindsurfing.com/longboard-freestyle/longboard-freestyle-on-the-railride-rail-ride/www.knowledge.lbwindsurfing.com/longboard-freestyle/longboard-freestyle-%e2%80%93-the-basic-forward-railride/Works on many a modern board too. And a closet door of mine once, with a properly fitted fin.