Bark Contender Lite
- Written by Staff
- Published in Reviews
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
Only best products in a given category receive “A” grade.
Overview:
Paddle Board Highlights
Who is it for?
If you are looking for a fast, non-inflatable, race-specific board to paddle then the Bark Contender Lite board is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Pro Elite construction which is somewhat durable and has both ups and downs. Due to its narrow width of 25 inches the board is very unstable however, its construction allows for the board to have 1.92 lbs per foot, weighing 24.12 lbs total, making the board very lightweight for its size. Its shape makes the Contender Lite a race board that should be used by advanced paddlers in competition. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for sprint racing. Retailing at $2,249, the board is among the premium price point boards but comes with some of the best the brand has to offer.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color are good, the shape design is very thought out and the construction strikes as somewhat durable. The Contender Lite has nice looks, coming with an interesting mix of color and graphics intended to be race-centric. The shape design is unique for boards in these categories, offering features tailored primarily for competitive SUP racing. The construction does appear as something to be treated delicately. Because of it being lightweight for its size, the board is easy to carry especially in part to the extra strap in the center of the board. The glide feels fast, which is to be expected since the board was designed with racing as its focus. And once you put it all together, the Contender Lite is a fast board that only lightweight and skilled paddlers will likely feel comfortable and paddle away with ease.
Benefits
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Primary Use
Race UsePaddle Boards fall into two broad categories, All-Around and Specialty boards, with all-around designed primarily for recreation while speciality boards for top performance in specific disciplines
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Durability
StrongDurability is largely a result of the board construction and shape, with more durable boards typically carrying more materials (added layers, PVC, etc) and as such adding to the weight.
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Stability
Very UnstableStability is a product of construction and shape, where boards w/ 30”+ wide and 200+ liters in volume offer plenty of stability for your AVG adult while a board under 26” wide is a challenge.
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Glide
FastGlide is a result of board shape and construction, w/ boards weighing under 30lbs and designed for racing offering best glide while recreational boards normally being on the slow side
Learn more on the Surftech USA website.
Features
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Dimensions
12'6" x 25" x 6"Industry standard in board dimensions reads: L (length, from nose to tail) x W (width, from rail to rail at midpoint length), and H (height, from top to bottom of board at midpoint length).
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Weight
24.12 lbsStandup paddle boards tend to fall into 4 different weight classes: extremely lightweight (under 20 lbs), lightweight (20-28 lbs), average weight (28-35 lbs), heavy (above 35 lbs).
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Volume
200 LVolume is a key metric to determine how much weight a board can carry. Boards w/ 200+ liters offer most floatation with boards under 150 liters typically for high-performance surf
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Capacity
UnknownCapacity is the max cargo weight a stand up paddle board can carry, considering not only the paddler’s weight but whatever else the paddler may choose to carry alongside him/her.
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Add On's
Fin Included/Extra Strap HandleAdd-on’s include bungee cords, a minimalist way to haul things; connexsup, which allows for all sorts of attachments, even fishing rods; and FCS II/Connect, for easy fin instal.
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Handle
Internal Ergo GripHandles directly affect carrying ease, with external grip handles (Liftsup & EZgrab) offering most comfort, Internal Ergo Grip the mid-tier comfort, and box handles as least comfortable.
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Holders
NoFishing rod holders and/or paddle holders can make paddling that much more pleasant, esp. when needing holders for the rod or having a safe place for the paddle during yoga.
Sizes Available
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|
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