Charity Governance

Charity Founder

Brendon Prince

Brendon Prince is a lifelong water safety advocate, educator, plus endurance adventurer based in Devon. With more than 25 years’ experience as a teacher of outdoor plus physical education, Brendon has dedicated his career to helping people develop confidence, competence, plus respect for water.

A qualified open water lifeguard for over a decade, Brendon has played a central role in delivering safe, well managed access to the sea. He has designed plus delivered more than 50 water based events, supporting thousands of swimmers, paddlers, plus athletes to enjoy blue space safely. His leadership within the water safety sector includes serving as Chair of Torbay Surf Life Saving Club, where he has consistently championed drowning prevention, lifesaving skills, plus the physical and mental health benefits of getting into the water.

Brendon is the Founder plus CEO of Above Water, established following a series of tragic drownings at Mawgan Porth. The charity was created to turn loss into learning, with a clear focus on education, awareness, plus practical decision making around water. Above Water exists to reduce accidental drowning by ensuring children, families, plus communities have the knowledge plus confidence to stay safe on, near, or in water.

Alongside his charity leadership, Brendon is a world record holding endurance paddler whose adventure challenges are used as a platform to amplify water safety messaging at local, national, plus international level. His work bridges education, sport, plus public engagement, combining credibility with lived experience to drive meaningful change.

Brendon’s commitment to water safety is not theoretical. It is personal, practical, plus rooted in a belief that everyone should have the skills to enjoy the water safely, especially in a nation surrounded by sea.

Charity Trustees

Chair

Conrad Gillespie

Conrad was born and bred in Guernsey and is obsessed by the sea. His waterborne passions include surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming and kayaking, and he is an avid ambassador for aquatic challenges, and water safety education to prevent avoidable tragedies.

Conrad is an experienced innovation and R&D leader with over 30 years in commercial, engineering, consultancy and project management roles, including 8+ years advancing the UK space sector. He has led national space policies and business support initiatives, to develop space-enabled innovations for diverse sectors, including health & marine applications.

A key example is Conrad’s consultancy role in developing a collaborative ESA funded ‘Smart Beacon Trial’ proposal for ‘My Coast’ and Above Water beneficiaries. If successful, Torbay could become one of first coastal communities in the World to benefit from cutting-edge, real-time water safety information and alerts, for swift emergency responses and rescues.

Treasurer

Position available, please contact if interested.

Trustee

Martin Smith

Maritime Skipper focusing on Charity policy.

Trustee

Becky Mason

Becky is an experienced School Sport Coordinator, PE & Dance Teacher with a broad and successful background in delivering physical education, sport, and dance across primary and secondary schools, including both mainstream and special education settings. They have extensive experience in event management, training delivery, and curriculum development, and are passionate about creating inclusive, engaging opportunities that support the physical, social, and emotional development of young people of all abilities.

Outside of her professional role, Becky is an active paddle boarder, sea swimmer, and outdoor enthusiast, with a strong connection to the coast and water-based activities. This personal interest, alongside their commitment to community engagement and wellbeing, underpins their dedication to promoting water safety and supporting the charity’s mission as a Trustee.

Trustee

Richard Rowley

SW Water reporting manager focusing on charity growth