As part of the Bluewater Academy, the expert-led Weather at Sea two-day course aims to expand your knowledge and prepare you for all conditions at sea. Whether you're a budding skipper sailing The Solent or an experienced sailor circumnavigating the globe, this course hosted by meteorologist Simon Rowell, will build your understanding and help you improve your forecasting skills.
WEATHER TOPICS COVERED:
Whether you're new to sailing or looking to grow your experience, you’ll be guided by an experienced professional in a calm, supportive setting. Learn more about your expert instructor below.
17-18 October 2026
Ocean Village,
Southampton
Simon Rowell
Simon Rowell has been the meteorologist for the British Sailing Team since 2015 and has forecasted at the Olympics & Paralympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Paris.
He is also the forecaster for the Clipper Round the World Race and other clients ranging from ocean rowers to TV production companies. He is the weather expert for Oyster Yachts on the Oyster World Rally and Oyster Explorers Club rallies too and often appears at the annual London Private View to give bluewater masterclasses.
He has been a yachting professional since 1997, starting off as an RYA instructor before working for Clipper Ventures both as a round the world Race Skipper on the winning boat in the 2002 race and as assistant Race Director in charge of the day to day operations and all the skipper and crew training for the 2005 round the world race.
He is an RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Examiner and spent two years as Chief Instructor at UKSA in Cowes before going back to university in 2009 to study meteorology at the University of Reading. He graduated the MSc course with distinction and a dissertation investigating how hurricanes start in the North Atlantic. Learn more about Simon's expertise below.
