Bespoke Courses & Private Tuition

Do you want to improve a specific aspect of your sport?
We offer private tuition for individuals at all skill levels, from beginners wanting an experience on the water to those preparing for national championships!
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Our Team

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 Assistant Instructors to the seasoned members of the senior management team.

fred, richard and ben sailing and smiling

Staff Profiles

looking up at the yellow sail

Ben Kimbell - Development Director

Ben started sailing before he could talk. After refining his teaching & management skills at Wildwind in Vassilliki he returned to the UK and proudly became one of the youngest RYA Coach Assessors. In 2020, he co-founded Keep Sailing with Freddie to share his passion for watersports.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, or unwinding on the golf course.

Today, Ben focuses on growing the company, strengthening relationships with our current clubs and building new ones with future partners. He also works as Sailing Development Officer for the RYA.

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 WingSurf Instructor
  • RYA Coastal Skipper
  • WSA SUP Instructor
freddie driving a powerboat

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 and around the world.

Freddie’s time is mainly looking at the overview of the company while ensuring our online presence 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 wingsurfing silhouette

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.

Join the team