Hampton Bays Paddleboard Company to Test Area Waters

This summer, a new company, called , based out of Hampton Bays hopes to make a big splash in Westhampton, Hampton Bays and Montauk.

With a love of surfing and the water, Cherryl Bradley, a professional dancer and amateur surfer, and Ed Croce, a 30-year surfer and owner of in Hampton Bays, have teamed up to start the company that will offer paddleboard rentals, starting in May.

Both Bradley and Croce said they are excited about the new venture and believe their new seasonal business will add to the lure of a Hamptons vacation.

Bradley said she and Croce have specifically tailored their business model to attract vacationers by renting paddleboards at an affordable rate for families.

"Anyone can do it," said Bradley, who said she started paddleboarding in a wet suit this winter and simply fell in love with the sport.

"The beauty of it is that you can learn how to do it in about five minutes and you get to get out into nature and into places you can't go with a boat," she said.

Croce, who learned about paddleboarding in Califorina —  where the sport orginated — said he got the idea for the business after he realized that people had a genuine interest in trying it.

"I would keep my board by me at the beach and people would come over and ask about it," he said.

Croce said he soon started teaching fellow beach-goers how to paddleboard and found that kids and parents alike loved it the moment they got on the board.

"We are going to deliver fun," said Croce, who said that aside from offering paddleboard rentals, paddleboards will also be available for delivery for paddle parties across the Hamptons.

The company is also offering guided group adventures for $50 per person for an hour and a half.  Included in the price is a stand up paddleboard, paddle, instructor and life vest upon request.  Afternoon board rentals will be available for $40 an hour and $10 for each additional half hour. Each rental will include a 15 minute instruction session.

"We really want to have fun with our customers," said Croce, who said Bradley moonlights as a stand-up comic.

"We are going to have a lot of fun at the beach this summer," said Croce.

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