Ardent Training Join HWDT as New Charity Partner
L-R: Edd, Charly and Charlie
We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Ardent Training, to support our work protecting whales and dolphins on the west coast of Scotland.
Ardent Training is a new online sailing school founded by extremely experienced professional sailors with strong links to HWDT. Ardent Training allows you to gain your RYA qualifications anytime, anywhere, using video and written content, with a strong Communities feature bringing student and instructor engagement to self study.
The founders, Edd, Charly and Charlie, have been part of the HWDT family for a number of years, at the helm of RV Silurian for a combined eight seasons of our research expedition surveys. Edd and Charly recently joined us on board Silurian to undertake some exciting filming work…watch this space! Our partnership with Ardent Training is based on a shared passion for Hebridean seas and cetaceans, and important role of biological recording and citizen science in conservation. Edd, Charly and Charlie still love to sail in the Hebrides at every opportunity and are contributors to our data through Whale Track.
In addition to supporting our work at HWDT, the team at Ardent Training have included a module about the Marine Environment, encouraging sailors to be responsible, knowledgeable and protect our oceans. The information included in the courses is endorsed by HWDT and presented by our own Science Officer, Becky Dudley (pictured here with Edd).
“Although every sailor has a vested interest in protecting the world’s oceans, the extent to which we have an impact on them isn’t always visible to the naked eye. It is only through my time working with HWDT that I have had the opportunity to understand the true impact our actions have. Now, as principal of Ardent Training, I am in a unique position to not only donate and give back to the HWDT, but also to pass on what I have learnt from my time working on Silurian.
We are also very appreciative of HWDT’s collaboration with us on our Marine Environment module. They have helped us communicate the importance of protecting our oceans, and have increased the validity of those lessons for our students. ”
Edd with Silurian
“The folks behind Ardent Training have worked with HWDT for many years, and we are delighted to be announcing our partnership. Working alongside Ardent Training we will showcase the valuable role boat users can play in citizen science and the importance of responsible wildlife encounters. Their support will provide vital funds for our community-based conservation work to ensure whales, dolphins and porpoises are protected and valued in our waters. Thank you Ardent Training!”