On January 3rd, 2023, the Water Skills Academy came under new ownership. Since 2014, the WSA has evolved into the organisation you know today. With a  founding ethos of bringing something new to watersports education, the WSA has become one of the most forward-thinking and leading providers in the sector. Environmental and safety  awareness is at the heart of everything the WSA does while continuing to deliver the most popular watersport courses and qualifications under one umbrella. 

The tragic paddleboarding incident in October 2021 on the Western Cleddau river in Haverfordwest reminds us all of the risks this highly popular sport can present.  This article collates much of the advice already included in other WSA guidance that relates specifically to the lessons we can extract from the MAIB report into this incident.

As a BCorp with a business model centred around the ocean, we are already acutely aware of the importance of sustainable business and ethics in our work, as well as in our everyday decision-making. Earlier this month we headed to The Blue Earth Summit in Bristol, to share in and learn from the thoughts and ideas from those putting people and the planet first.

The end of summer marks our business year end, and a time when we donate 1% of our annual revenue to like-minded environmental organisations and charities, as part of our ‘1% For The Planet’ membership. Our revenue is generated from our valued members through their membership, watersports courses we run across the globe, sustainable SUP holidays and events that we hold throughout the season.

To mark Armed Forces Day which is celebrated this weekend, we look back at WSA Trainer Jon Kivell’s career to date, and how his service in the Parachute Regiment honed his adventure skills and harnessed a lifelong passion for the outdoors.

WSA Ambassador Heather Peacock recently lent a hand on the northern leg of the GBSUP Technical Race and has kindly given us the lowdown of the day’s events that led her to have a go at SUP racing.