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Fenn · Surfski · Out of production

Fenn Spark (pre-Fennix)

Low-volume elite hull with the narrowest catch in the pre-Fennix Fenn range (narrower than the Glide), carrying a deeper waterline for paddlers under ~80kg/182cm. Cockpit and footrest carved out and sized down for a snug fit. The bucket is the defining complaint: tight at the hips with a pronounced hump under the legs, which the S variant eased slightly and the Fennix redesign fixed properly.

Length
6.44 m
Beam
42.5 cm
Deck
31 cm
Lightest
11.5 kg
 
 
Fenn Spark (pre-Fennix), studio side profile from the Elite Spark-era listing (Wetiz has since relabelled the same listing 'Fennix Spark S', so treat the image as indicative)
studio side profile from the Elite Spark-era listing (Wetiz has since relabelled the same listing 'Fennix Spark S', so treat the image as indicative) · wetiz.eu

Specifications

Length
6.44 m
Beam
42.5 cm
Deck height
31 cm
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Confident ocean paddlers
New price
Not listed new

Layup weights

Glass17.5 kg
Vacuum14.5 kg
Carbon11.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
4–6
Inherited traceLow confidence
Speed
9

Modelled from the Fenn Fennix Spark S trace, not this generation itself. Low confidence. Speed is our rating. Both are given at the hull's own design weight.

These ratings are Surfski Index estimates, worked out from published dimensions, traced hull shapes where we have them, and reviews. They are not supplied by the maker or timed on the water. How a ski feels depends on your weight, skill, set-up and the conditions, so use them to shortlist skis and paddle one before you buy. How we rate.

Stability here means how steady the ski feels sitting still on flat water. Where two craft have overlapping ranges, we can't say which is more stable. Downwind handling is a separate thing, covered in the evidence note below.

Evidence note

This band uses a related hull trace rather than a trace of this generation. Qualitative context includes 4 paddler reports and 4 linked sources.

Suits: Flat to moderate ocean, marathon and downwind racing; built specifically for lightweight/smaller-framed paddlers (women, juniors, sub-80kg men) wanting elite performance without an oversized hull.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 69–80 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 56–80 kg. This estimate is a guide, not a limit. Seat fit, conditions and paddling style matter. Lighter paddlers can still enjoy a larger hull, especially downwind. A test paddle is the best check.

The upper limit is the maker’s; the lighter end follows the proportions of makers’ own ranges. How this is worked out.

Generations

2013-~2020

Launched as the 'Elite Spark' alongside the Elite Glide in 2013 - Fenn's first genuinely competitive low-volume elite ski, aimed at paddlers the Elite/Glide hulls were simply too big for. A slightly roomier 'Spark S' followed and is also out of production. Superseded ~2020 by the fully redesigned Fennix Spark S (separate listing); the original moulds were destroyed in the Fenn factory fire, so no pre-Fennix Spark can be built again.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • First genuinely competitive low-volume elite ski - let smaller paddlers race in a properly fast hull
  • Feels notably more stable than its speed class suggests, for a rider under ~80kg
  • Popular on the women's/lightweight racing scene (e.g. Michelle Burn World Champs win cited by Wetiz)

Cons

  • Tight bucket and a pronounced hump under the legs - the single most common complaint, and the reason the Fennix redesign exists
  • Narrowest catch in the range magnifies stroke faults
  • Not suitable for paddlers over ~80kg/182cm - hull volume runs out
  • No factory leash attachment
  • Out of production and scarce used in AU; moulds destroyed in the factory fire

What paddlers say

"The original Spark was just that little bit too tight and I found the S was a little better but that is no longer on the market" - JohnK, surfski.info thread 20054Reported experience
"With a low volume, great short leg length, this boat sets a new standard for efficiency" - Oceanpaddler review of the Elite Spark/Glide launchReported experience
"The catch is very narrow with only the Spark more narrow [than the Glide]" - Wesley Echols, surfskiracing.org Glide reviewReported experience
A minority of long-time Fenn paddlers prefer the pre-fire hulls outright: one owner ran the Fennix Swordfish S, Fennix Spark and Fennix XT S and did "a catch and release for all three", going back to "their older skis before the fire" (pilotdov, surfski.info thread 20578)Reported experience

Where to buy

The Spark (pre-Fennix) is out of production. You can only buy it second-hand.

Fenn Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

Ocean Paddler · AU ↗Paddleshop (PADDLES) · AU ↗Ocean Paddlesports · AU ↗Paddle 2 Fitness · AU ↗Sydney Harbour Kayaks · AU ↗Race One Surf Craft · AU ↗

Anything currently advertised new as 'Spark' is the Fennix Spark S - see that listing for live pricing.

Sources

BetaRatings are estimatesRatings are estimates. How we get the numbers. Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.