About
As an all-rounder in watersports coaching Simon specialises in windsurfing and is a Team Rider for Starboard and Severne. UK based, with a global reach as a trainer of dinghy and windsurfing instructors, he is an expert in the delivery of intermediate and advanced windsurf and WINDfoil & WINGfoil coaching. Preferring freeride and freewave disciplines, Simon has an unwavering connection to the real windsurfer – the one who wants to work towards a solid skill set which they can take to any freeride/freewave location. Building on the success of his many clinics in Vassiliki, Greece he joined ranks with Sportif in 2018 to offer clinics in a range of exciting overseas locations and has Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Prasonisi scheduled for 2023. UK clinics are run out of the OTC in Weymouth (Portland) throughout the year.
After a number of seasons instructing in France, Greece, the Caribbean, the UK and the Red Sea, he acted as Sailing Manager for Queen Mary Sailing Club (one of the busiest sailing clubs and RYA Training Centres in the UK) for 10 years before going freelance in 2011. Simon has written many coaching articles for Windsurfing UK Magazine and partners include Starboard, Severne, The OTC, Spinlock, Flymount, K4 Fins, Bollé and Sails and Canvas.
Professional services offered
- Specialist coaching including windsurfing overseas coaching holidays through Sportif, windsurf clinics in Portland Harbour at The OTC, and windsurf/WINDfoiling/WINGfoiling tuition at Queen Mary Sailing Club in Surrey
- Dinghy and windsurf instructor training
- Marine first aid training
- Consultancy for all aspects of instructor development and RYA Training Centre recognition for dinghy, windsurf and powerboat
Qualifications
RYA Qualifications/Appointments
- RYA Coach/Assessor (including Keelboat and Multihull)
- RYA Advanced Windsurf Trainer
- RYA Advanced-plus Windsurfing Instructor
- RYA WINDfoil Instructor
- RYA WINGfoil Instructor
- RYA Senior Instructor Dinghy & Windsurf
- RYA Powerboat Instructor
- RYA Safety Boat and Advanced Powerboat
- RYA Training Centre Inspector – UK and Overseas
- RYA First Aid Instructor
- RYA Short Range Certificate
Other watersports awards
- BSUPA Stand-up Paddleboard Instructor
- British Canoeing Level 2 Coach Kayak and Canoe
Academic
- Honours Degree in Environmental Studies (2:1), Liverpool University
Clients
- ACS International School, Cobham
- Alpari
- Aqua Sports Company, Surrey
- Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre Reading
- Ballyholme Yacht Club, Northern Ireland
- BBC Yacht Club
- Bewl Water Outdoor Centre, Kent
- Bishop Skinner Marine
- Bury Lake Young Mariners, Rickmansworth
- Cinque Ports Sailing, Kent
- Conningbrook Lakes Sailing, Kent
- Croydon Sailing Club, London
- Datchet Water Sailing Club, Berkshire
- Datchet Watersports, Berkshire
- Desborough Sailing Club
- Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre, London
- Emberton Park Sailing Club
- Flying Fish Australia
- French Brothers Limited
- Hampton Pier Yacht Club, Kent
- Hastings & St. Leonards Sailing Club
- Hayling Island Sailing Club
- Herne Bay Sailing Club, Kent
- High Tracks Adventure Learning, Surrey
- Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre (HOAC)
- Horizon Watersports, Greece
- Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club, Surrey
- Keep Sailing Limited
- Kent County Council
- King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, Saudi Arabia
- King George Sailing Club, London
- Lagoon Watersports, Hove
- Llandegfedd Watersports Centre, Wales
- Minima Yacht Club, Kingston upon Thames
- National Sailing Academy, Antigua
- Noble Marine Insurance
- Ocean Elements, Greece
- OTC - The Official Test Centre, Weymouth
- Oxford Sailing Club
- Oxford Sail Training Trust
- Papercourt Sailing Club, Guildford
- Queen Mary Sailing Club, Surrey
- Queen Mary Sailability
- Reading Sailing Club
- Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
- Royal Grammar School, Guildford
- Royal Thames Yacht Club, London
- Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
- Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes
- RYA Keelboat Racing
- RS Sailing
- Sea Cadets - Welsh Harp Boat Station
- Sea Cadet Training Centre Caledonia
- Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC)
- Sportif Travel
- Sportscotland National Centre Cumbrae
- SUPM - Stand Up Paddle Mag UK
- Surrey County Council Youth Support Service
- Tamesis Club, London
- Thames Sailing Club
- The Prince's Trust - Pembrokeshire Adventure Centre
- Twickenham Yacht Club
- University of Bristol Windsurfing Club
- University of Southampton Watersports Centre
- UKSA - UK Sailing Academy, Cowes
- U Sail Bermuda
- 1st Walton Viking Scouts
- Welsh Harp Sailing Club, London
- Wilsonian Sailing Club
- WSUK - Windsurfing UK Magazine
Testimonials
"Simon has total empathy for wherever you are in your windsurfing journey and has a very bespoke style of coaching which is tailored to each individual...essentially he just gets you! From massive wow moments to minuscule individual tips that you will carry forever in your windsurfing head - his coaching holidays and clinics are highly addictive!!! He is a very entertaining and lovely guy on and off the water and always puts the student first."
M Gorman, 3 Vass Coaching Weeks and numerous UK coaching sessions
“Simon’s delivery of instructor training courses has helped to fire the imagination of a new generation of windsurfing and dinghy instructors.”
P. Holman, Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre
“Simon is one of the most honest and hardworking trainers I know. He has a great knowledge and understanding of the RYA teaching method and his passion for the sport of windsurfing is always very apparent.”
T. Best, RYA Windsurf Trainer & Managing Director of The OTC, Portland
“On my last Dinghy Instructor course I told all the candidates to read your Wavelength articles before the seamanship day. I am pleased to say that I got the best backwards sailing session I have ever seen from one of them - cheers!”
A. Kerr, RYA Coach/Assessor
“As well as being an engaging windfoiling instructor I can see you are truly a great photographer - and a very fast one…it's amazing that you were able to capture my very first moments of flight! Thank you for yesterday's exceptional experience.”
M. Oppermann, Windfoiling Student
“I recently undertook a RYA Keelboat Endorsement at UKSA. Simon delivered the course in a professional and competent manner and created a relaxed atmosphere in which to facilitate the learning for myself and the other instructors. Many thanks Simon for the enjoyable course!”
P. Hoar, Further Education Tutor & Instructor
“Since Simon first coached me he rapidly pushed my skills from a very basic level to proficient use of footstraps and harness. I now windsurf whenever I can and I even went to Weymouth Speed Week where I was hitting 27 knots - something I never thought I would be able to achieve so quickly.”
J. Hardy, Full-time Watersports Instructor
“The knowledge of the Coach/Assessors was brilliant. I really feel I have grown as an instructor. Really enjoyable as well – I couldn’t be happier with the course.”
S. Russ, instructor course candidate
“I thought the course was extremely informative and covered lots of information – I have learnt so much!”
R. Britten, instructor course candidate
“Engaging course.”
H. Windram, instructor course candidate
“Depth of knowledge/experience was fantastic. All questions answered clearly and fully.”
A. Moppett, instructor course candidate
“Thank you so much for your time. I have learned so much more than I thought I would and enjoyed it more for that very reason.”
D. Coulson, instructor course candidate
“Day 1 very supportive. I have gained lots of useful information and suggestions to run good courses and be a better instructor.”
G. Smith, instructor course candidate
“A well-organised course which ran very smoothly. This really helped the learning to go well.”
R. Hall, instructor course candidate
“A well-run and well-managed course.”
B. Wilson, instructor course candidate
“I feel my own skills have improved over the duration of the course.”
C. Terry, instructor course candidate
“Good work continuing to improve the standard of dinghy tuition in the UK.”
A. Kerr, RYA Coach/Assessor
“During the RYA Keelboat Endorsement at UKSA Simon provided a wealth of knowledge and demonstrated various techniques and activities. I am looking forward to embedding these into my teaching so as to enthuse my students with practical applications for simple maths whilst sailing a keelboat.”
P. Hoar, Further Education Tutor & Instructor
“Thanks Simon for a great course and an excellent week. I look forward to the next one!”
P. Crowley, Windsurfer based in Kos, Greece.
“Mick and I really enjoyed the training. It was brilliantly pitched to build confidence and great fun!”
D. Sasson, RS500 sailor
“Simon's coaching is top drawer! His enthusiasm for windsurfing is contagious and, since my courses, he has continued to offer support, knowledge and expertise whenever it was needed.”
J. Hardy, full-time Watersports Instructor
“Thanks so much for all of your hard work over the course of the weekend. All the feedback I have had has been great.”
S. Hornby, Assistant Sailing Officer RTYC
“Simon’s all-round subject knowledge, combined with a clear and concise coaching style, has inspired our instructors to improve upon so many aspects of their instruction and their personal skills.”
P. Holman, Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre
“Thoroughly enjoyable and instructive day. I’d love to do more first aid training having gotten so much from this course.”
Z. Jeffra-Adams, RYA First Aid course candidate
“Learned lots of new things. I liked the relaxed humorous approach.”
C. Vines, RYA First Aid course candidate
“Come again! Many thanks indeed.”
A. Green, RYA First Aid course candidate
“Excellent course. Thank you.”
M. Warner, RYA First Aid course candidate
“He makes an eight hour course the funniest thing in the world.”
T. Dalrymple, RYA First Aid course candidate
“Thank you very much. Really enjoyed it.”
T. Barnes, RYA First Aid course candidate
“Excellent. Many thanks.”
N. Atkinson, RYA First Aid course candidate
“This was the best first aid course I've ever done. Well done!”
G. Alexander, RYA First Aid course candidate