Brendon Prince

Who is Brendon Prince?

Brendon Prince is one of the world’s most accomplished stand up paddleboarders, a powerful public speaker, and a leading voice in water safety and drowning prevention.

A former teacher and lifeguard from Torbay, Brendon has spent his life in, on, and around the sea. In 2021 he became the first and only person to paddleboard the entire mainland UK coastline, covering 3,907 kilometres under his own power. The journey pushed human limits while shining a national spotlight on water safety, mental health, and respect for the ocean.

Brendon is the founder of the charity Above Water, using adventure as a platform to create real change. His expeditions, international events, and talks do more than inspire. They educate, challenge complacency, and give people the confidence to enjoy blue spaces safely.

Whether speaking to schoolchildren, emergency services, business leaders, or packed theatres, Brendon combines hard earned experience with gripping storytelling. Every message is grounded in reality, not theory. Every lesson has been lived.

Recognition and awards

• Stand Up Paddleboarder of the Year 2022

• First and only SUP circumnavigation of the UK coastline

• Prime Minister Award for improving water safety in the UK

• Brave Briton Award

• World Top Explorer List 2024

Brendon’s work sits at the intersection of adventure, education, and purpose. His mission is simple. Help people understand water better so more lives are saved.

Championing water safety education ever since witnessing three souls drown on a North Cornwall beach.  He set up and became chairman of the Torbay Surf Life Saving Club and founded the water safety through education charity- Above Water Charity No.1174593.  To highlight the need to teach children water safety annually, Brendon took on an incredible endurance challenge to stand up paddle board (SUP) the entire coast of mainland Britain- The Long Paddle.  In completing this world first, Brendon set 5x world records.

A true waterman, Brendon lives with his wife Helen and three children Kitty, Roo & Jonah, pebbles throw from the blue waters of South Devon, UK.  As a competitive open water swimmer and paddle boarder Brendon is also qualified as an instructor in almost every on-water activity and holds national managing qualifications in water safety.  An expert in understanding water safety education, Brendon has taught over half a million pupils, teachers & parents to stay safe in, on and around water.  Championing the need for education to prevent accidental drowning at the coast, inland waters and the home. 

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