We love seeing new stand up paddle board brands spring up – especially companies with thinking behind it. Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co (based on the Isle of Wight) is one such SUP kit peddler. Owner Charlie Cripwell sat down for a chat with us when he dropped kit off and we now have appreciation for his way of doing things. Not content to choose stock shapes and simply take a punt on manufacturing quality he’s put time and effort into developing unique designs and has visited the production plant on numerous occasions. Plus local ripper Scott Gardner and a number of Isle of Wight based retailers input their findings during the R&D process. As such you can see the quality of finish with the Classic 9.11ft. Coming with honeycomb fins and being finished in retro Californian longboard styling the 9.11ft it’s a good looking home grown piece of kit. At 31.5” width there’s a lot of foam to play around with for the rider. As such it’s a stable sled for general sweeping shenanigans. Even so there’s a lively attitude just waiting to break the surface. Rails, tail and nose thicknesses have been reduced to all but the necessary and … Continue reading SUP: Californian style – Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co Classic 9.11ft x 31.5” x 163L review