The Weather At Sea


Expert
Drawing my knowledge and experience I’m able to offer a variety of weather-based services. Read More
The Weather At Sea


Expert
Drawing my knowledge and experience I’m able to offer a variety of weather-based services. Read More
The Weather At Sea


Expert
Drawing my knowledge and experience I’m able to offer a variety of weather-based services. Read More

Hello, my name is Simon and I’m a Weather Expert

Since 2015 I have been the meteorologist for the British Sailing Team, and forecasting at the Olympics & Paralympics in Rio was fantastic, if rather challenging.

I have also been the forecaster for the Clipper Round the World Race since 2011, with other clients ranging from ocean rowers to TV production companies. I have been a yachting professional since 1997, starting off as an 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 race.

I am 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, finishing the MSc course in 2010 with a distinction and a dissertation investigating how hurricanes start in the North Atlantic.

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My Services
Drawing my knowledge and experience I’m able to offer a variety of weather-based services.
Weather Training

Weather Training

Understanding and using the weather better, whether you’re a beginner or a world champion.

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Event Forecasting

Event Forecasting

If your event is outdoors it’s dependent on the weather, and your clients and your team need to be prepared.

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Ocean Rowing

Ocean Rowing

An ocean rowing boat is not fast enough to outrun bad weather – the trick is to avoid as much of it as possible.

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Weather Routing

Weather Routing

A shore-based weather router can help your voyage be more efficient, quicker and safer.

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Legal Services

Legal Services

You don’t want to go to court, but if you do then you need clear, correct & professionally delivered information.

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Rugby Australia had Simon as the squad forecaster for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.  He provided location reports on what we could expect, daily forecasts for the competition period and real time weather monitoring for the matches themselves.  This was very useful for training activity & match planning in the sometimes extreme Japanese conditions, and for changing travel plans when typhoons threatened."

Dean Benton - Head of Athletic Performance, Rugby Australia

Simon always has the knack of making complicated information seem much easier to understand and does it with a wonderful authority and lovely sense of humour…. a great teacher and an inspiration!!  He is always on hand to consult and advise and his considerable knowledge is rarely wasted and, as such, it is a great comfort to always have somebody of his standing ready for any call."

Mark Light - Race Director, Clipper Ventures

We did try to give you a call from Antigua, as we both wanted to say a HUGE thank you to you for your help on our crossing! We honestly couldn't have done it without you and very much felt like you were our 'eye in the sky' all the way across :). Looking back at our 'track', it looks like we had an extremely smooth route across the Atlantic compared to most teams and this is undoubtedly down to you. Receiving your messages every morning was a real motivator for us!"

Laura Woodwiss - TWAC 2018

I have used Simon’s excellent routing services on 2 ocean crossings, one by sail and one by ocean rowing boat. Having Simon’s guidance and expertise on board, not only helped ensured we had a safe crossing each time but gave us invaluable support and peace of mind. His routing was phenomenal both times and it was as if he was there with us how accurate his forecasts & recommendations were! I could not recommend Simon highly enough."

Jemma Rix - Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge rowing, 2018, & SV Annie

I have had the pleasure of working with Simon Rowell at seminars organised by the Royal Meteorological Society where he used his extensive knowledge and experience to provide valuable advice for sailors as they tackle the challenge of understanding weather. His depth of wisdom comes from high-profile roles with sailing teams around the world and his down-to-earth enthusiasm for the subject ensures that everyone will learn something really useful that they can take with them next time they go afloat."

Doctor Andrew Ecclestone - Chartered Meteorologist

Simon Rowell has given several talks at UK Sail Training and also international Sail Training conferences. His background as an experienced sailor coupled with vast meteorological knowledge means he gives relevant presentations at just the right level. Even experienced sailors will learn new skills and better understand the weather forecast and what they see around them. Simon's enthusiasm makes the subject great fun and his talks are a pleasure to attend."

Lucy Grodie - General Manager, Association of Sail Training Organisations

As a sailor, coach and tactician, It’s always a highlight of my day to open a forecast from Simon. His ability to translate the complexities of forecasting on a macro and micro scale to simple priorities is second to none. Always happy to explain in more detail when required and everything is delivered with his usual jest. Can’t recommend his services enough."

Nick Thompson - Double Laser World Champion, 2016 Olympian

I've worked with Simon since 2015 on various Olympic sailing campaigns. As well as providing detailed location forecasts with a format that suits the racing sailor & coach, he also explains why the weather's doing what it's doing so that as a coach and sailor you can understand it & make better on the water decisions.  His venue investigation reports are very useful for new locations, and he's also done a lot of work in general weather education through squad training sessions. And he's very handy when it comes to hauling RIBs out of the water too."

Hugh Styles - 2000 Olympian, Olympic Coach

On behalf of Mylor Yacht Club members  I would like to say how much we appreciated you giving up your time to speak to Wednesday Workshops last night. A very enjoyable presentation giving us an insight into your wonderful world of weather forecasting for ocean adventurers. We had an excellent feedback from members. We judged the evening a great success!"

Malcolm Joyce - Mylor Sailing Club

I cannot thank you enough for your help in getting us across for the first time. It was very comforting knowing you were looking out for us, and it also helped us galvanise our weather skills as we could compare our own thoughts on the forecast with those of an expert, and mercifully we were always on the same page.”

Mary Johnson - Sailing Vessel Annie, the Canaries to Antigua

Buy  Weather At Sea  now!

In my new book I share my experience as a round-the world skipper and world-class weather forecaster. I explain the basic physics and put it into context with real situations to enable you to apply weather theory to practical sailing scenarios.

The book includes hundreds of illustrations to aid the communication of what can be a complex subject, enabling you to better understand the weather and increase your enjoyment and safety when out on the water.

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