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.
Staff Profiles
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 children, 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
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
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Freddie Lovejoy - Marine Programme Manager
Freddie began Sailing when he was 12 through his local Sea Cadets. At the age of 17 after picking up Sailing as his main love of Watersports, He spent a Summer in Weymouth going through a full on Instructor programme while Assisting tuition. Freddie qualified as an RYA Senior Instructor at the age of 19.
After a few years moving between centres as Lead/Senior Sailing instructor Roles, Freddie entered into management becoming a chief instructor, then manager while attaining his RYA Dinghy Trainer Status. Late 2025, he joined the Keep Sailing Team as Marine Programme Manager.
In Freddie’s spare time he enjoys getting back to leisurely Dinghy Sailing amongst many other changing hobbies.
Freddie’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 and inevitably getting mixed up with the original Freddie. “Lovejoy” was quickly adopted to deter further confusion.
Qualifications
- RYA Dinghy Trainer
- RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor
- RYA Advanced Instructor
- RYA Keelboat Instructor
- RYA Racing Instructor
- RYA Powerboat Instructor
- RYA Safety Boat
- RYA Intermediate Powerboating
- RYA Start Windsurf Instructor
- BC UKCC Level 2 Paddlesport Coach with SUP endorsement
- RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper Theory
- First Aid at Work
- Mental Health First Aider
- RYA VHF
- NEBOSH Health and Safety Certificate
Richard Sawyer
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.
In Richard’s spare time he enjoys Wing Foiling.
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.