A dedicated professional with experience teaching Physical and Outdoor Education to all key stages through national and international curricula. Able to design and implement programs to motivate and deliver progression in learning. I have a professional background in the management of resort water sports facilities

Dear Sir/Madam

RE: Watersports

16.09.2019



I have gained experience in previous positions to set up and establish water sports centres for a range of partners, including Radisson Hotels and Resorts. Working together with Radisson Management and Don Fosters Diving I put in place a state of the art water sports centre offering diving, beach sports and a range of water sports.

As an active member or various watersports associations I have been instrumental in implementing a range of health and safety measures for on water activities. This has involved working with a range of other institutions including the coast guard and emergency services. As a member of the Aruba Watersports Association I helped to implement a safe watersports strategy for all the hotels on Palm Beach. This involved establishing rules for a range of watersports providers allowing them to use specific areas only.

Dover Watersports is located in Dover Harbour which is the busiest port in the UK for cruise ships and ferries and a range of other marine craft. I have been responsible for communication with the harbour master via radio on a day by day basis to ensure the safe use of our operation.

In Aruba I had the responsibility of working with a range of providers to equip our resort. I had to order all of our watersports equipment ranging from kayaks to sailing boats and life vests from overseas. I worked with local suppliers to source attractive beach deck chairs and shades and refuse containers. I helped to design and choose locations for lifeguard stations with the least impact on the environment. I arranged with local services the timely clean up of beaches and security.

In Jeddah and all of my other posts I have been responsible for the training of staff to deliver safe operations. I hold the highest life saving award a Distinction Award from the Royal Life Saving Society. I can deliver training for a range of watersports including diving. I am familiar with choosing a range of different rescue vessels for different purposes. In Dover we use a range of inflatable boats for rescue and teaching purposes. In Jeddah we use Commando 360 rescue boats to manage and supervise students on the water. I have also used Jet skis for rescue as well as windsurf boards and a range of other rescue equipment items.

In my latest post as Head of Watersports at the British International School Jeddah I arranged a variety of ongoing land and water based competitions and events. These included weekly sailing regattas and adventure games/races. In Cayman Islands I organised weekly volleyball competitions for hotel staff and guests. In Aruba we hosted the the annual Aruba Hi Winds windsurfing competition for international competitors. I was involved locally as a commentator for the event which was televised every year by ESPN sports.


Competencies:

I gained my first water survival badge at 11 years old through the British system of Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. At University I gained my life saving qualification the Distinction Award. I worked as a lifeguard at the University and in Leisure Centres in the UK.

I am a fully qualified PADI diving instructor and have worked on cruise ships and live aboard dive boats and at land based dive operations. Often trips have included fishing as an extra activity. I have been a boat captain myself in the Cayman Islands responsible for 20 divers at a time.

My most relevant experience and knowledge of Marine safely laws have been on the Red Sea in Jeddah. I used a facility at Silver Sands in Obhur and was a registered and licensed boat driver with the Saudi Coastguard. To get my licence I had to undergo strict processes with the Saudi Coastguard Headquarters in Jeddah. I am familiar with a range of marine laws especially with regards to wind and motor powered vessels. I had regular contact with patrolling Saudi Coastguard Vessels to ensure all rules and regulations regarding my job were in place.

In all of my jobs overseas I have recruited and worked with a range of nationalities. Recently in Jeddah I have worked with a range of Saudi partners to ensure the effective use of shared resources at Silver Sands resort in Obhur. I have acted as a consultant on a range of issues regarding watersports. I have a lot of management experience with staff doing a range of jobs within this industry. In Aruba I mangaged local employees alongside international staff and have also done this recently in Jeddah where I have supervised workers from Saudi Arabia and Sudan.

I have a current First Aid certificate from the Royal Yachting Association which covers, resuscitation, control of bleeding and treatment of an unconscious casualty.

Qualifications:

I am qualified sailing and windsurfing instructor with the RYA an internationally recognised training provider.

I have my RYA National Powerboat Level Two Certificate and have a lot of experience with boats for a range of uses.

I have worked in the Watersports industry for 30 years and I consider my last job in Jeddah to have been very relevant to this post. I was essentially providing our school students with a watersports facility to come and learn a range of watersports in a great location.

RYA Windsufing and Dinghy instructor
RYA Powerboat Level 2
First Aid
PADI instructor