TEST PILOT SPOTLIGHT: JACK BARK
GIVE US A BRIEF RUNDOWN OF WHO YOU ARE (NAME, AGE, LOCATION), AND WHAT YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT.
My name is Jack Bark, I’m 29 years old, I’m a fireman and I live in Torrance, California with my beautiful wife Katie. I was raised around the ocean by my mom and dad, so I try to do a little bit of everything to stay busy; surfing, spear fishing , paddle boarding. My dad being a shaper always had boards for us so I’ve been surfing and paddling for a very long time. Right now I’m really into some of the endurance stuff. Long runs, paddles, just whatever is really gonna put you in the hurt box and test you mentally, while you're physically going through it too. Besides that my wife and I have our dogs, cat and a flock of chickens that keep us busy and with winter coming we’re getting ready for surf and snow season!
WHAT’S YOUR DISCIPLINE?
When there’s waves I’m surfing, I try to freedive and spear some fish and grab lobster during season, and do a lot of paddleboarding.
WHAT’S THE NEXT CHALLENGE FOR YOU IN THE OUTDOORS?
Right now i’m just fired up to surf this winter. I’ve started running getting ready for an ultra marathon some buddies and I are doing. But I’ve always got a couple paddles I’m thinking about and want to try to tackle in the future.
WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?
I’ve been racing since I was probably 12 or 13 years old, and have had some good results in Molokai2Oahu, and a lot of bridesmaids 2nd places in the Catalina Classic, but I’m probably most proud of the 100 mile paddle my buddy Wyatt Kircher and I did this past August. It was a paddle I’ve been thinking about for some time now but we kinda saw a weather window and jumped on it without really having paddled at all this last year. It was a full-on test of the mind. I know that I can go paddle a long way; I’ve been paddling for a long time now, but pushing though the dark places your mind goes to when your tired and shivering at 3 am and still have 60 more miles to go, that’s what fired me up. I’m sure someone’s paddled longer and further, but it was a personal best for myself and I’m proud of that.
WHAT PIECE OF FLORENCE GEAR DO YOU TEST THE MOST?
By far I’m using the hooded rashguard with the back pocket the most. For paddling, it’s the best top you can find bar none. Besides not getting a bloody chest or sunburnt; it’s very comfortable. I’ve worn it for 24 hours straight while paddling 100 miles; no rashes. Surfing marathon sessions in Nicaragua; no rashes, no sunburns. It’s actually a rashguard that doesn't rash you, and I’ve been wearing one for the last year and still it has not stretched out or started sagging on the arms, which is pretty key for a long sleeve rashguard when paddleboarding. The pocket on the back is great to for stashing away a bar or little snack for those longer paddles.
My name is Jack Bark, I’m 29 years old, I’m a fireman and I live in Torrance, California with my beautiful wife Katie. I was raised around the ocean by my mom and dad, so I try to do a little bit of everything to stay busy; surfing, spear fishing , paddle boarding. My dad being a shaper always had boards for us so I’ve been surfing and paddling for a very long time. Right now I’m really into some of the endurance stuff. Long runs, paddles, just whatever is really gonna put you in the hurt box and test you mentally, while you're physically going through it too. Besides that my wife and I have our dogs, cat and a flock of chickens that keep us busy and with winter coming we’re getting ready for surf and snow season!
WHAT’S YOUR DISCIPLINE?
When there’s waves I’m surfing, I try to freedive and spear some fish and grab lobster during season, and do a lot of paddleboarding.
WHAT’S THE NEXT CHALLENGE FOR YOU IN THE OUTDOORS?
Right now i’m just fired up to surf this winter. I’ve started running getting ready for an ultra marathon some buddies and I are doing. But I’ve always got a couple paddles I’m thinking about and want to try to tackle in the future.
WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?
I’ve been racing since I was probably 12 or 13 years old, and have had some good results in Molokai2Oahu, and a lot of bridesmaids 2nd places in the Catalina Classic, but I’m probably most proud of the 100 mile paddle my buddy Wyatt Kircher and I did this past August. It was a paddle I’ve been thinking about for some time now but we kinda saw a weather window and jumped on it without really having paddled at all this last year. It was a full-on test of the mind. I know that I can go paddle a long way; I’ve been paddling for a long time now, but pushing though the dark places your mind goes to when your tired and shivering at 3 am and still have 60 more miles to go, that’s what fired me up. I’m sure someone’s paddled longer and further, but it was a personal best for myself and I’m proud of that.
WHAT PIECE OF FLORENCE GEAR DO YOU TEST THE MOST?
By far I’m using the hooded rashguard with the back pocket the most. For paddling, it’s the best top you can find bar none. Besides not getting a bloody chest or sunburnt; it’s very comfortable. I’ve worn it for 24 hours straight while paddling 100 miles; no rashes. Surfing marathon sessions in Nicaragua; no rashes, no sunburns. It’s actually a rashguard that doesn't rash you, and I’ve been wearing one for the last year and still it has not stretched out or started sagging on the arms, which is pretty key for a long sleeve rashguard when paddleboarding. The pocket on the back is great to for stashing away a bar or little snack for those longer paddles.
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