Chris Cotter and Lindsay Conner are not your typical entrepreneurs. Surf trips in the early hours, flip flops instead of loafers, and board meetings strictly on the water, you could say that these young business owners are living the dream. But don’t let their laid back approach to life fool you, they play hard and work even harder. Conner, a New Jersey native, and Cotter, born and raised in Lordship Connecticut, have combined their passions for surfing and stand up paddle, to form Fairfield Board Company, “FBCO”. Located in the heart of Fairfield on the Post Road, Fairfield Board Company is a refreshing and authentic small business, offering customers a memorable experience.
Based on principals of healthy mind and body, FBCO has a range of services and products, including some of the top stand up paddle board retailers and apparel companies. Companies include, Rainbow Sandals, Riviera Paddle Surf, Katin, Jetty, Penny Skateboards and Arbor.
After growing up an avid surfer on the beaches of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, Conner has always felt at home in the water. With an extensive knowledge of the surfing community and a recent BA in Business, Conner is the perfect “ying” to Cotter’s “yang”. A local boy at heart and former Fairfield Prep Jesuit, Cotter grew up a mere foot from the ocean. Boasting experience in sailing, surfing, and stand up paddle boarding, Cotter rekindled his love for the sport after a summer living in Australia.
These college buddies wanted to give local Fairfield county residents a taste of what they know and love best. Reminiscent of a coastal California surf shop, FBCO’s “no shirt, no shoes, no problem” attitude has every customer feeling right at home.
Whether you’re an expert or a fish out of water, FBCO has everything you need. Don’t know how to paddle board? Don’t worry, this one- stop- shop offers a free lesson with every board purchase, group/individual lessons, and Tuesday night paddle club. For those gun-shy buyers or for those just looking to have fun, demo boards, daily and weekend rentals are available. Talk about door-to-door service, FBCO will even drop off and pick up any board purchased or rented in the area.
Unlike commercial outdoor sports retailers, at FBCO customers are outfitted with boards tailored to their specific needs, skill, and preference. FBCO offers racing boards, standard cruisers, touring boards and surf-specific boards, all in a range of different colors and designs. Aluminum and carbon fiber-based paddles are also available and tailored to specific height measurements for optimal use. Ladies, they even have pink boards!
“Our goal is to provide our customers with an alternative SUP{ Stand Up Paddle} experience that doesn’t exist in this area. We wanted to open a shop where we would want to hang out and feel welcome, and we hope our customers feel the same way,” said Cotter.
Looking to get some new summer duds? FBCO has a range of t-shirts, men’s and women’s board shorts/bathing suits and sweatshirts, especially designed for water sport enthusiasts. They also have a large selection of jewelry by local jeweler Marisa Lee Design, sunglasses by Electric, watches, bags by Njabini Apparel and Rainbow sandals. You can even support this local business by wearing their authentic original t-shirts.
Interior of the store at Fairfield Boarding Company
Since June, FBCO has quickly established a following after its grand opening. Just recently, the company participated as a vendor at the Gathering of the Vibes Festival in Bridgeport, CT, where they sold apparel, bags, hats and jewelry to local festival-goers.
So, if you’re looking to try a great up- and- coming sport, just want to have fun, or happen to be in the area, check out Fairfield Board Company, the door is always open!