Impact Award for inspirational founder of Pembrokeshire watersports centre

The inspirational founder of a watersports centre in Pembrokeshire has been presented an RYA Cymru Wales Impact Award in recognition of her work to make activities afloat accessible and inclusive for all.

The awards are made by sailing’s governing body in Wales to celebrate those who go above and beyond to help people enjoy getting on the water.

Sarah Bagley, Director of Windswept in Dale, was nominated for the award by local mum-of-four Rebecca Bell for her commitment to watersports and for supporting and encouraging children and young people.

Rebecca said all her children developed a love of watersports thanks to Sarah and the Windswept team, including her eldest son, who has autism, and daughter Keira, aged 15, who now enjoys competing and volunteers her own time as an assistant sailing instructor for the junior section at Neyland Yacht Club.

In the nomination, Rebecca explained: “Sarah is kind-hearted and knowledgeable and a brilliant role model. She is an inspiration to young people and a constant on the watersports scene, happy to help anyone learning new skills, and deserves recognition for her amazing attitude to supporting others.”

Removing barriers

Windswept is a not-for-profit community interest company, set up by Sarah in 2020 with a mission to provide affordable opportunities for everyone to enjoy watersports by removing barriers and finding new ways to promote participation.

Activities include lessons for all kinds of boardsports - including windsurfing, winging and paddleboarding – plus outreach sessions for schools and community groups, Paddle-Ability with adaptive equipment for those with disabilities, and weekly clubs for children, teenagers and adults.

“I’m really honoured to have an Impact Award,” said Sarah. “Watersports can be expensive so my passion is making it accessible and creating opportunities for everyone, and I’ve been lucky enough to start Windswept to make that happen.

“I enjoy teaching on the water and seeing people smiling and having a good time, including children who might be excited, or may be a bit scared or thinking they’re not good at anything, then realising they can do it! To see young people change and become more independent and confident is really rewarding.”

Sarah first became involved with watersports when growing up after her parents took the family to live on a boat in France and the Mediterranean, and then in Devon for many years, where she learned how to dinghy sail and windsurf.

She explains: “I realised there was an opportunity to earn money and travel at the same time. I wasn’t particularly an A* student and I got through school but it didn’t do much for me, so I did a windsurf instructor qualification and I’ve worked in watersports ever since. There’s a huge opportunity for children who don’t fit into the school system to get on the water and make a career in the marine industry.”

Windswept is dedicated to creating pathways for young people and offers subsidised training for aspiring watersports instructors. In partnership with Celtic Deep there is also a scheme for anyone aged 14-25 to gain qualifications to work on the water, or access other education and employment opportunities.

In addition to running Windswept’s activities, Sarah and her team regularly volunteer to support community activities and events. As Sarah sums up: “We love watersports and we’ve all had opportunities along the way, so everyone is passionate about providing the same opportunities for others and willing to give their time, especially to get young people on the water.”

Innovation & development

The RYA Cymru Wales Impact Awards recognise those who go the extra mile to support activities afloat in line with its strategy - Together on our Waters – to create a connected, inspired and inclusive Welsh sailing and boating community.

Presenting the award, Club Development Officer Hester Walker said Sarah’s commitment reflected the RYA Cymru Wales ethos of ‘Croeso’: “Windswept provides sessions for the local community and children at very low cost to make the sport accessible, and Sarah is creative, passionate and fun, promoting innovation and the continual development of staff, equipment and new projects.”

Find out more about opportunities to get on the water with Windswept Watersports or explore how to begin sailing at RYA Start Boating.

Do you know an individual or organisation that goes the extra mile to support activities on the water in Wales? RYA Cymru Wales Impact Awards recognise the hard work of individuals and organisations including participants, staff and volunteers; instructors, coaches and race officials; clubs, classes and centres.

Read more and nominate for the RYA Cymru Wales Impact Awards.

Photographs: Sarah instructing at Windswept Watersports (c) Cara Gaskell