Fenn · Surfski
Fenn Fennix Spark S
Elite low-volume hull, 6440mm x 420mm with a 375mm seat and a low 310mm bow height - the shallowest deck in the Fennix single range. Owners report the lower half of the hull is close to the Fennix Elite S in rocker profile, but the reduced volume means a sub-80kg paddler actually sinks it to its designed waterline instead of perching on top. Needle bow pierces chop rather than riding over it; the same rocker that makes it carve gives it a lively yaw when side chop hits the ends.
- Length
- 6.44 m
- Beam
- 42 cm
- Deck
- 31 cm
- Lightest
- 10 kg
Specifications
- Length
- 6.44 m
- Beam
- 42 cm
- Deck height
- 31 cm
- Category
- Surfski
- Skill level
- elite
- New price
- A$4,350
Layup weights
On-water profile
Both scores are rated at the hull's own design weight. How these are derived.
Speed here also has a traced hull behind it: measured off this boat's own side and plan photographs, the shape alone rates it 9.5, and the published score moves a third of the way toward that. What that means.
Suits: Downwind and run-chasing first, where owners rate it exceptional; capable on flat water but not the fastest elite hull there. Fenn's own guidance: 'This ski is for experienced ocean and SLS paddlers only', for paddlers under 80kg and under 6ft.
Paddler weight
This hull is built around a paddler of about 79 kg. It stays workable from 70 kg to 84 kg, and sits at its best between 74 kg and 81 kg.
Derived from published hull dimensions and calibrated against manufacturer paddler limits, not taken from a marketing range. The method, in full.
Generations
Full redesign of the low-volume Spark under Fenn's current 'Fennix' branding, after the factory fire destroyed the original moulds. Fenn lists six specific changes over the old Spark: wider internal seat width maintained through the depth of the seat, rudder moved 6cm further forward for surf control, a deeper seat for stability, a substantially redesigned and lowered hump under the legs, a longer cockpit, and the tapered bow deck shared with the rest of the Fennix range. Current production model. First sightings were in France in late 2020; Australian container stock landed early 2021.
What works, and what it costs you
What works
- Fixes the pre-Fennix Spark's two real faults: wider bucket held through its depth, and a much lower leg hump
- Genuinely stable for an elite ski if you are under 80kg, because you can sink it to its designed waterline
- Outstanding at chasing runs - owners describe it 'sniffing out' subtle bumps and carving on a wave like a surfboard
- Low gunwales make remounts easy by elite-ski standards
- Rudder 6cm forward gives noticeably better surf control than the old hull
Trade-offs
- Hard 80kg/6ft ceiling - over it, the ski gets wet and the stability argument disappears
- Lively yaw when side chop hits the nose or tail, and counter-lean steers it in flat water
- Not the quickest elite hull on dead flat water
- Hybrid/Carbon only, at elite-ski prices
- Some long-time Fenn paddlers still prefer the pre-fire hulls and have traded Fennix boats back out
What paddlers say
"The most noticeable change when you sit in the Fennix Spark S is extra width in the seat and the reduction of the hump under your legs" - Fenn KayaksReported experience
"Whereas the Fennix Elite seemed to pinch my hip bones from underneath, this seat felt perfect. Paradoxically although about a centimetre narrower at the top of the bucket, it doesn't taper in as much towards the bottom. The gunwales also weren't as high so remounting was very easy" - Dratz (79-80kg, Sydney), first paddle, surfski.info thread 19988Reported experience
"This is a ski that really comes into its own chasing down runners. It seems to sniff out really subtle bumps and settles automatically into a good position... because of its needle nose it takes no effort to smash through (rather than over)" - Dratz, two-month updateReported experience
"I had a go engaging the primary rocker rather than the curvature of the rails, by leaning hard into a brace... The spark was able to carve across the wave, then arc a turn back to the critical part of the wave, and was basically thrilling to surf, so much more agile than any other full length ski I've ever tried" - Dratz, on a 3-4ft reef breakReported experience
"My stability improved compared to the bigger volume versions of Fenn, and specifically the Swordfish S fennix where I wash from one side of the seat to the other in rough conditions... my weight could not submerge it to its designed waterline" - Penguin (1.83m, 75kg, full carbon), surfski.info thread 20054Reported experience
"The fennix version is directionally more responsive and it took me a while to understand and utilise this to my benefit" - Penguin, comparing against the pre-Fennix SparkReported experience
"One of my friend bought it and it's more stable and surfs very well" - ND, surfski.info thread 19988Reported experience
Dissenting view: one owner ran the Fennix Spark alongside the Fennix Swordfish S and XT S and did "a catch and release for all three", preferring Fenn's pre-fire designs (pilotdov, surfski.info thread 20578)Reported experience
Gallery
Where to buy
Dealers in the markets we have mapped:
AUD Hybrid $4,350 / Carbon $5,450 (Oceanpaddler AU, 2026); aud_new shown is the Hybrid layup. UK: GBP 2,880 Hybrid / GBP 3,120 Carbon (Ocean Surfskis). EU: EUR 2,790 (Wetiz, Germany).
Similar craft
Closest in stability, speed and paddler weight across the whole index.
Fenn
Fennix Elite S
Nelo
57
Epic
V11
Sources
- https://www.fennkayaks.com/products/surfskis/single/fennix-spark/
- https://oceanpaddler.com/surf-skis/fennix-spark-s/
- https://oceansurfski.co.uk/products/fennix-swordfish-s-copy
- https://wetiz.eu/en/long-distance/960-fenn-elite-spark.html
- https://surfski.info/forum/21-fenn/19988-fennix-spark-s.html
- https://surfski.info/forum/1-general/20054-fenn-spark-s-comparison-with-fennix-spark-s.html