Blue Soup is a homegrown 100% British success story competing on a global stage alongside established brands in the water sports sector. Over the last four years, the Blue Soup Equipment team has built the business from its base in West Berkshire, bringing together design and manufacturing expertise from across the UK to develop a market-leading product which has taken the surfing world by storm.

Big-name Big Wave surfing legends who use Blue Soup Equipment include Garrett McNamara, Kai Lenny, current world record holder Rodrigo Koxa, Conor Maguire, Ian Cosenza, Michelle Des Bouillons, Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca, Nicole Pacelli and Nazaré’s very own rising star Tony Laureano, along with water sports stars such as windsurfing icon Dany Bruch and renowned expeditionary kayaker Marcelo Galizio.

The safety vests comprise two elements, the inflation mechanism and the customisable outer garment. World-leading life jacket manufacturer SeaSafe Systems, based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, makes the inflation system designed and tested to the firm’s exacting standards. While the fully-customisable outer vest is made by premium sportswear maker Edward Taylor Textiles in Blackburn, Lancashire.

The British heritage of the product is an important part of the brand’s identity, ensuring the provenance of materials and standards of manufacture are maintained says Mark, a former Royal Marine who developed the product.

Mark said: “Working with expert UK partners gives us a fully traceable supply chain which is key to our accountability. We can be confident in the quality of the product at every stage of its manufacture, which is vital considering the products’ responsibility for preserving life.

“The integrity of the product is fundamental to the company. It was born from the insights of some of the world’s greatest surfers, and the realisation there were technical improvements we could make while also bringing down the price point to a level that would make the vest accessible to more than just the top professionals with big sponsorship deals.

“The continued input of our customers, who include some of the biggest names in water sports, has been integral to the development of the product range. Their enthusiasm to road-test the products and their brutally honest feedback helps us continue refining the products and ensure the designs stay relevant.

“Now surfers and water sports athletes of all abilities wear Blue Soup vests all over the world, which is a source of enormous pride for the team.”

Buy British and join the club with the UN Vest and the UP Vest, available for £395 for the two-pull vest and £495 for the four-pull