BEHIND THE ART: 2025 CATALINA CLASSIC
Emily Bark has long been a familiar name in the prone paddleboard community. Daughter of legendary shaper Joe Bark, she grew up surrounded by boards, water, and the culture of the Catalina Classic. In 2024, she cemented her own legacy by winning the women’s division of the Classic and by stepping into a creative role, designing the race’s official artwork for the second year in a row.
We connected with Emily to talk through her 2025 Catalina Classic art, her inspirations, and what it means to her to carry forward the traditions of paddling and design.
On the Inspiration Behind This Year’s Catalina Classic Art
“When I started sketching out ideas, I knew I wanted to have an escort boat included in the piece. It’s a solo race, but it takes a village to get across that channel. Something that always stands out to me about my races is having my dad on the boat and my mom with friends and family on the shore—it’s a massive part of it. I know a lot of paddlers feel the same way.
I was also inspired by the iconic photo of Jack from last year, with Baywatch in the background celebrating. I wanted to fly Zen’s name on the boat, as well as the nautical flags for 4 and 8, for the 48th year. And, the wind direction in this is a slight headwind—pretty typical of race day. The channel makes us feel small in a good way, so I wanted to keep the paddlers small, racing under a looming sun, almost to the buoy.”
Seeing Her Art Worn by Paddlers
“It has been so fun and an honor seeing people wear the shirts around. I’m stoked to have hopefully created something that paddlers get to wear proudly after such an accomplishment. It’s such an honor to be involved in this race in any way—paddling it, or creating art for it.”
On Zen Del Rio’s Legacy in the South Bay
“Zen Del Rio has left a huge legacy in the South Bay. His art, boards, waves, and his friendship to all have a very special place here. Whether you know it or not, you’ve seen his work and impact. His posters of the Classic are iconic. I grew up admiring many, but one specifically will always be one of my favorite pieces—it’s the Catalina Poster from 1996, hanging above the shaping room door at my dad’s shop.
Zen created such beautiful, intricate, soulful work. He has that style and way of portraying the water that only a surfer can really seem to have. I think that we will all be thinking of Zen as we cross the channel this year, and in years to come.
ET Surfboards said it very well: ‘It is with heavy hearts we have found out our friend Zen Del Rio has left us. He was one of the most genuine people we have ever known. Always positive, and when he talked to you, you’d always be wiser afterwards. Gone way too soon, but hopefully he’s scoring an uncrowded perfect cosmic right-hand barrel! He lives on in his art, the pictures of him surfing, and our memories!’”
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