With limited interest in his school subjects, STT offered him something different, something hands-on, practical, and full of purpose.

‘It helped me keep my head down, as PSTT was something to look forward to for the second half of the day, this kept me on track at school’. 

Based at the Andrew Simpson Centre – Portsmouth, PSTT introduced Lewis to the world of watersports. He thrived in an environment that combined physical activity, skill-building, and strong relationships with instructors. From learning to rig boats and navigate, to visiting the dockyard and spending time on the water, every session brought a new challenge and a new spark.

‘Working in watersports here at the Portsmouth Centre is great as it keeps my mind occupied and is good for my mental health. As soon as I get to work all my worries go’.

Through the programme, Lewis developed a wide range of technical and personal skills: sailing, powerboating (earning his PB2 qualification), paddleboarding, kayaking, rescue training, and more. After completing PSTT, he joined the Centre team as part of the government Kickstart scheme, and now works as a watersports instructor something he’s passionate about and truly excels at. His ability to connect with others and share his own journey makes him a powerful role model for the young people he now teaches.

Looking ahead, Lewis plans to revalidate his RYA qualifications and continue building a long-term career in the industry. With internationally recognised credentials and a deep love for what he does, the future is wide open and we’re excited to see where he sails next.