Ardent Training partner with HWDT
by Ardent Training 5 Sep 2021 14:42 UTC
Edd as Skipper of RV Silurian © Ardent Training team
Ardent Training is a new online RYA Training Centre attempting to grow on responsible foundations. Upon launching their first online RYA Theory Course, the Day Skipper Theory Online, Ardent Training simultaneously announced its corporate partnership with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and its pledge to donate 2% of its profits to marine conservation. Ardent Training was founded by extremely experienced professional sailors with strong links to HWDT and 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 research expedition surveys. HWDT's partnership with Ardent Training is based on a shared passion for Hebridean seas and cetaceans, and the 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 data collection through the Whale Track app.
In addition to supporting our work at HWDT, the team at Ardent Training has 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 their Science Officer, Becky Dudley.
"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 Hewett, Principal of Ardent Training and Skipper of Silurian 2015-2018.
"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!" - Alison Lomax, HWDT Director
Ardent training has committed to donating 2% of the profits of the sale of their RYA courses and will offer a discount for any volunteers that join HWDT on Silurian. Through this new partnership, ardent training will be working to raise awareness of HWDT's work and encourage their students to get involved with our conservation projects. You can find out more about Ardent Training or HWDT via their websites: