ERBA began in the spring of 1994 with the excitement of three men who loved kayaking and knew that it was an expanding sport. Richard "Ozzie" Osborn, Tom Ellis, and Robert Hanlon had a vision to form an alliance to give tours of their incredible Essex River Basin area. Long held as the best keep secret on the North Shore of Boston, and only accessible by boat, the Essex River Basin area is truly one of the East Coast's loveliest unspoiled waterways. With Crane's Beach, a 5 mile barrier beach, Hog Island (the location of the movie "The Crucible" staring Daniel Day Lewis and Whinona Rider) and miles of serene estuaries, the Basin is one of the most beautiful areas that one can paddle in and they wanted to share it.

In April they purchased 6 boats, redid the Osborn's garage for their base of operation and began to spread the word that they were in the tour business. It didn't take long for them to realize that they needed more boats, especially with rudders, a van for shuttling clients and a new waterfront location. An agreement with the Essex Shipbuilding Museum was reached and ERBA changed its base of operations to the Shipyard location in 1995. At the same time they increased their fleet to nearly 60 boats.

In early 1997 Tom Ellis left to sail the waters off Gloucester on his Schooner Thomas E. Lannon, and Robert started devoting all his time and energy to designing and building the most incredible furniture at Walker Creek.

Ozzie, because of his love for paddling and the people he meets, is the only one to remain. He continues to guide a great many tours and the business is expanding and growing. In the fall of 1999 ERBA built a barn on the location of the garage that was its beginning with hopes of opening a retail store in the fall of 2001.

During the last season ERBA launched just under 5000 kayak enthusiasts out into the incredible Essex River Basin and coastal North Shore.