Bark 14' Dominator is Here!

Want to Dominate the competition?

We're fired up about the arrival of the new Joe Bark 14' Dominator race board by Surftech.

Bark 14' Dominator by Surftech

Probably the year’s most highly anticipated race board, the Dominator is set to be THE board for flat-water speed for many seasons to come. It also penetrates chop well, connects bumps with ease, and turns easily for its size. Most importantly, Bark incorporated extensive product testing to strike the perfect balance between speed and stability – a huge factor during long distance races when fatigue starts to set in. As a result, the Dominator is sure to live up to its name, delivering ultimate performance in long distance SUP races and flat-water sprints, and dominating the increasingly popular 14’ SUP racing class.

Another cool thing about the Dominator is that it works well for paddlers of many different sizes – leveling out the playing field a little more than is possible in the 12’6” category. Bark, who weighs 210 pounds himself, says paddlers as light as 130 pounds and as heavy as 250 pounds have been stoked on the Dominator. It's also a great board for paddlers who don’t have any interest in racing but enjoy touring and/or just going fast.

Bark 14' Dominator Nose

Shape-wise, the Dominator resembles a missile. It has a piercing dome-shape displacement nose, a flat deck, nearly flat bottom, and a wide tail.

Built in Surftech’s new “Pro-Elite” lightweight performance construction (yes, Surftech has developed yet another revolutionary construction method), the Dominator weighs in at a mere 26 pounds. The deck has two layers of fiberglass and is reinforced with high-density sheet foam in heavy impact areas. The bottom has one layer of fiberglass combined with a full layer of carbon fiber. The early-release prototypes and demo boards had black bottoms but for the newer models, Surftech made the wise decision to paint the bottom with the same flame-like color scheme as the deck to deflect heat. Hand sanded and polished, the Dominator is good looking as well as fast.

Check out our video of the Bark 14' Dominator below:

If you want a Dominator, it'd be a really, really good idea to let us know now because supply is already limited and will only become more so later in the season...

Stay tuned for news on the rest of our 2011 race board lineup.

Stand Up Paddling - A SUPer Way to Meet Fitness Goals For 2011

I know we're preaching to the choir here but if any of your friends and family are looking for a fun yet effective way to meet fitness goals in 2011, here are 10 reasons why stand up paddling (SUP) is a fantastic choice:

1. The sensation of walking on water feels so good, you'll forget you’re working out. It's easy to stick to a fitness routine when you enjoy it.
2. It’s super-efficient. You'll work almost every muscle in your body simultaneously. Not only that, you can get your cardio, endurance, and strength training done in one fun hour while outside enjoying nature.
3. It's good for the mind as well as the body. Standing on a board that’s floating on a living body of water creates a connection with nature that helps to put trivial concerns in perspective.
4. No membership fees! The cost of a board and paddle is one-time only. And if you want to try the sport before investing in your own gear, many shops offer affordable rentals.
5. It's outstanding cross training for many other activities. The strength, core and cardiovascular benefits translate very well into sports like tennis, golf, and swimming.
6. It's highly adaptable and accessible to people of almost every age and fitness level. Because it’s non-impact, it’s even open to people who have injuries. Rest assured though, that accessibility does not equate to lack of challenge. Intensity can be adjusted to whatever level you choose. Dial up the volume by paddling hard and fast or, if you’re in the mood for a mellow workout, just cruise.
7. It's easy! You’ll have the basics down within your first few sessions – all you need to have lots of fun and get a great workout.
8. There are lots of opportunities to take the sport further. Races are being organized all around the country. Industry experts expect SUP to be an Olympic sport within the near future. If you like variety, try a stand up paddle boot camp or yoga class.
9. If you're looking for proof, there are many celebrities who provide inspiring examples of what stand up paddling can do for your body: Christie Brinkley, Jennifer Anniston, Kate Hudson, Matthew Morrison, and Matthew McConaughey, to name a few.
10. Last but not least, there’s a slogan that’s featured on a top-selling poster by leading stand up paddle manufacturer, Quickblade, “You know that GROSSED-OUT feeling you get when you go to use a piece of equipment at the gym, and it's covered with someone else's sweat? I don't.”

For all your SUP needs and tips to get as much as possible out of the sport, visit www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com.

Highlights of the 2010 Stand Up Paddle Season in Bend, Oregon

Where else could you attend a Bob Dylan
concert on a stand up paddle board 
but in Bend, Oregon?

On the first day of this sparkly new year, I find myself reminiscing about many memorable moments of the 2010 stand up paddle season in Bend, Oregon – the picturesque, fun-loving town that Chip and I are so happy to call home. Here are a few memories that stand out in my mind:

Attending the Les Schwab Amphitheater summer concert series on our stand up paddle boards. Nosing into the Reeds to sit and listen to great music with great friends. No better concert seating than that in my book. And free! Dancing atop my board and making it bop to the beat of Say Hey (I love you) by Michael Franti and Spearhead. Bare Naked Ladies, The Steve Miller Band, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan. Pretty chilly for Bob. I had to keep paddling to stay warm and couldn’t quite feel my feet as we ran across the grass to our car, but it was worth it just to be able to say we heard Bob from our boards.

Moonlight paddles on warm summer nights.

The King and Queen of the Lake Race series at Elk Lake. So busy with the shop we barely had time to eat, yet glad we made it out for every race. Witnessing that competitive glint in so many first time racers’ eyes. SUPBend team rider Isabella Barna smoking the competition (including her dad) on a custom Kialoa race board by Dave Chun. Taking time to escape out into the middle of the lake afterwards to enjoy the spectacular scenery and crisp, clean mountain air.

Bend local and surf legend Gerry Lopez
 racing on the Deschutes River.

Wednesday night races on the Deschutes River. Herds of paddlers darting by floaters on inner tubes, inflatable rafts, air mattresses, and numerous other flotation devices. Watching surf legend and Bend local Gerry Lopez (a dude my father has spoken of with reverence for as long as I can remember) breeze by much younger paddlers with ease.

Introducing the sport to new paddlers during the many free demos we offered. Marveling at how all-inclusive SUP is. Paddlers of all ages and walks of life connecting with nature, getting great exercise, bonding with friends, and having fun.

The incredible Judy Shasek during
her 10-lap stand up paddle
"Karmathon" on the Deschutes River.

The incredible Judy Shasek and her 10-lap stand up paddle “Karmathon.” To celebrate her 10th anniversary of being declared cancer-free, 61-year-old Judy paddled 10 continuous circuits of the Deschutes River, from the spillway to the Healy Bridge Rapids and back, wearing 61 ribbons inscribed with the names of 61 others affected by cancer.

Golden colors lining the shore during fall paddles. River critters popping up to say hi – beavers, otters, muskrats. The ducks and geese who tolerate us so nicely. A family of deer calmly approaching the shore for a drink as we pulled our boards out of the water one lovely night.

To our paddle surfing friends, we wish you many empty lineups, offshore winds, and dry tubes in 2011. To our flat-water pals, may your new year be filled with calm winds, glassy water, and sunny skies.

These are the memories that stand out in my mind. We'd love to hear about what stands out in yours. Click here to tell us about your stand up paddling memories from 2010 and goals for 2011 and be entered to win T-shirts, hats, and other fun gear!