The people behind Keep Sailing
At Keep Sailing, we firmly believe that our team is the heartbeat of our organisation.
Without the dedication, passion, and collective efforts of each team member, our journey would lack the drive and direction that helps us get people out on the water.
The strength of Keep Sailing is intricately woven into the fabric of our committed staff, spanning every level of expertise, from our assisting instructors to the seasoned members of the senior management team.
Staff Profiles
Ben Kimbell - Development Director
Ben started sailing before he could talk! Working for Wildwind in Vassilliki Ben refined his teaching & management skills before returning to the UK to become one of the youngest (at the time) RYA Coach Assessors. He has worked freelance delivering junior and adult sailing courses and RYA Instructor courses across the UK and works with the RYA in club development. Starting Keep Sailing in 2020 with Freddie he aims to share his passion for watersports to as many people as he can.
In Ben’s spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children or on the golf course!
Ben’s time is focused on developing the company, maintaining the relationships with our current clubs as well as building new ones for our future partners. As well as working for the RYA in his role as Sailing Development Officer.
Qualifications
- RYA Dinghy Trainer
- RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor
- RYA Advanced Instructor
- RYA Keelboat Instructor
- RYA Multi-hull Instructor
- RYA Racing Instructor
- RYA Powerboat Instructor
- RYA Safety Boat
- WSA SUP Instructor
Freddie Cardew Smith - Operations Director
Freddie started sailing from a very young age with his family on yachts and dinghies as well as racing across the south of the UK. He began working at Queen Mary Sailing Club in 2004 and progressed to Chief Instructor by 2015. He then went onto work with the Royal Thames Yacht Club, managing their fleet of RIBs and Keelboats before starting Keep Sailing in 2020.
In Freddie’s spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and young child as well yacht sailing in the Solent around the world.
Freddie’s time is mainly looking at the overview of the company while ensuring our online presense is the best it can be. Along with running our RYA instructor training program, he also heads up the Keep Sailing Services side of the company.
Qualifications
- RYA Dinghy Trainer
- RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor
- RYA Advanced Instructor
- RYA Keelboat Instructor
- RYA Multi-hull Instructor
- RYA Racing Instructor
- RYA Powerboat Instructor
- RYA Safety Boat
- RYA Advanced Powerboat
- WSA SUP Instructor
- RYA Planing Windsurf Instructor
- RYA Yachtmaster Coastal
- RYA VHF
- RYA First Aid
- RYA Wingsurf Instructor
Richard Sawyer - Operations Manager
Richard began sailing when he was 11 at Bewl Water in Kent, he quickly moved onto becoming an Assistant Instructor at Rye Watersports. This was how Richard filled his time through school. Spending every school holidays teaching sailing. Richard qualified as an RYA Senior Instructor at the age of 18.
After a season abroad Richard returned to the UK as Centre Manager of Rye Watersports. A couple of years later he joined the Keep Sailing Team as Operations Manager.
In Richard’s spare time he enjoys Wing Foiling.
Richard’s time at Keep Sailing is spent organising the day to day running on the company. Ensuring our courses are available to book, answering customer enquiries and managing the logistics of delivering the courses.
Qualifications
- RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor
- RYA Racing Instructor
- RYA Multi-hull Instructor
- RYA Keelboat Instructor
- RYA Powerboat Instructor
- RYA Safety Boat
- RYA WingSurf & WingFoiling Instructor
- RYA Start Windsurf Instructor
- BC Stand up Paddleboard Instructor
- RYA Competent Crew
- RYA First Aid
- RYA VHF
Freelance Instructors!
Our core team is strongly backed by a diverse and talented group of freelance instructors, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organisation.
This invaluable team of instructors adds depth and expertise to our programs, ensuring that we are able to provide the highest quality education to our students. With their unique perspectives and innovative teaching methods, our freelance instructors contribute to the dynamic and engaging learning environment that sets us apart from others in the industry.