Stuart Sawyer

Aged 41, born in Yorkshire, England
Ex professional windsurfer and long-time TV producer
Father of two girls, Erin and Cara. Husband to Ruth.
Presently living on Baggy Point, North Devon, England.
A skater, longboard surfer, bodysurfer and boatman.

Photographer.

Stuart Sawyer’s love of water began as a teenager, sailing in dinghies at a national and European level, before embarking on a career as a professional windsurfer. He became UK windsurfing champion in both freestyle and wave sailing, and gained a career best 5th place at the Hawaiian World Cup in 1987.

This period saw him travelling extensively around the world, and whilst working with leading action photographers such as Darrell Wong and Sunstar he began to develop an interest the form of photography finding early inspiration within the stunning light and seascapes that characterise the Pacific.

After retiring from professional windsurfing he founded a youth marketing and television production company known as Chilli. Based in South West London Chilli focussed on youth sports such as surfing, mountainbiking, snowboarding and windsurfing.

Renowned for stunning, often original imagery, their products became much sought after by companies such as SEGA, O’Neill, Reebok and Quiksilver. In 1999 their documentary style film of the O’Neil Deep Jungle Pro surf event won the prestigious Palme D’Or at the Cannes Television Festival.

Stuart moved on from Chilli in 2001, giving him more time to spend with his family as well as return to his image making roots by developing his photographic skills through personal exploration the media. Today Stuart lives in Croyde, North Devon, with his wife Ruth and two children Erin and Cara. The location, full of sea and sky, allows him ample opportunity to pursue his passion for surfing, as well as providing constant inspiration for many of his works.