Surftech Bark Downwinder board

[Area 10]

Has anyone tried the new Suftech Bark Downwinder board (14x28" with tri fin setup)?

Given that it is on sale now, and in the 2015 Surftech catalog, there's a staggering lack of real info on it out there in webland. Interesting shape from what little I can see. So I'm hoping someone here has ridden one downwind and can compare it to other established DW boards.

[Area 10]

Wow - nothing? Surely someone out there has at least seen one, or heard from someone who has, even if they haven't tried it themselves? Or even just seen a prototype?

[DavidJohn]

I hope to see and try one in two weeks.

[XLR8]

I had the chance to look the board over.  I haven't ridden it.  To me it seemed like a pretty straightforward downwind-specific design.  I know that is not very helpful.  A friend and sometimes user of the Zone (bikeski) has paddled the board in upwind and downwind conditions on Lake Michigan here in the Great Lakes.  He has done many downwinders on his Bark Dominator and SIC Bullet 14 so he would have those comparisons.  I'll tell him about your post.

[Lakeshore1]

I had a chance to look at one this week. Looks like a nice board. I like the shape, as xlr8 said, it seems pretty straight forward. I am looking for another DW board for next year. Might be looking at a Naish Glide GS, 14'x30", to go along with my SIC F14.

[bikeski]

I have paddled the Bark / Surftech DW several times and love it!  It's very fast, and catches even little bumps with ease.  In larger swell you have to move around a little more that on a Bullet 14 or Naish Glide, but the speed generated in even the smallest of bumps makes that a non issue.   I would guess the rocker profile would make this board similar to the Bullet 14v2.  I generally liked doing downwind runs on my Bark-Dominator, but this board makes that seem a little silly now.  With plenty of stability and a lower rocker profile of this board its even fairly fast in the flats.  Making it a great all around board for anyone but the serious elite racer. 

[marvinhecht]

This link has some more pictures..(not much additional information)

http://distressedmullet.com/2014/08/22/hood-river-gorge-downwinder-surftech-bark-downwinder/

and the 2015 surftech catalogue also describes it:

http://issuu.com/benmajor/docs/2015_surftech_paddle_catalog-final_

I am very curious to hear how it compares to boards by SIC (e.g. SIC Bullet).

[Area 10]

I hope to see and try one in two weeks.

Any update on this, DJ, or anyone else? Thanks for any opinions.

[DavidJohn]

It was meant to be there for us to see.. and demo.. but it got sold to someone famous at a US trade show.. so we missed out.. 

[balance_fit]

Has anyone tried the new Suftech Bark Downwinder board?

Bumping up this thread, just to see if there are any updates on this board.
Area 10, any news on your side of the ocean?

May all be well

[Area 10]

Has anyone tried the new Suftech Bark Downwinder board?

Bumping up this thread, just to see if there are any updates on this board.
Area 10, any news on your side of the ocean?

Still no news. I don't think there are any of these boards in the UK, or Europe, yet. But I'd be very pleased to be wrong.

I'm wondering whether the recent acquisition of Surftech by Cobra has caused some temporary hesitation in the normal marketing and distribution chain.

[PtBobSup]

I think I saw that Big Winds just got inventory so maybe more information will be available soon.

[balance_fit]

Thanks guys. A downwinder board designed by Bark should be something very interesting to explore.

[Muskoka SUP]

Bumpity bump  for the bump rider....

[Area 10]

Bumpity bump  for the bump rider....

Haha! I'm wondering if the recent takeover of Surftech by Cobra has disrupted the normal flow of stock around the world, and that is why so few people seem to have ridden one of these. But I'm hearing that there is at least one new D2 in Europe, so maybe it's just this board model. It's a bold move to call it a downwinder since downwinding is still a fairly niche segment of the market worldwide, compared to flat water racing. Personally I find the honesty and precision refreshing.  But I suspect a marketing person would have preferred an "open ocean" type tag like so many other brands use (eg. Fanatic, Mistral).

Anyway, this board seems still to be a mystery to most. Maybe they should have called this one the Phantom instead. So here's a little note to Surftech: for heaven's sake please get an independent member of this forum on one of these boards because you are missing so much free advertising that it's just not funny any more. It begins to look like you don't have confidence in your product.