A popular watersports centre on Teignmouth’s back beach will close later this year as the owners focus on the specialist ocean rowing and shore-based training side of their business.

SeaSports Southwest, which has operated from the back beach for 17 years will close its quay watersports centre at the end of October.

SeaSports Southwest owners, Sue and Tim Cox, said in an announcement: ‘From November, we will be dedicating our time to the specialist ocean rowing training for which we have such a passion, as well as continuing other shore-based training which demands the skill and experience that we have become renowned for.’ All ocean rowing training and shore-based courses will be run in a residential setting.

Tim has been providing safety instruction and weather routing services to transatlantic rowers since 2012. He is taking part in the gruelling World’s Toughest Row Atlantic Challenge this winter with friend, Andy Purvis. The pair will set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12 and hope to cover the 3000 miles to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua and Barbuda in around 40-50 days.

‘After 17 years of being in the heart and hub of Teignmouth, we are moving on to a new chapter within water sports,’ the couple said. ‘We would like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to all of our fabulous customers, friends and family who have supported our incredible journey so far, over the fun filled 17 years since we began our SeaSports Southwest journey,’ they added. 

Wellwishers commenting on Facebook wished the couple all the best in following their passions and dreams and encouraging them to enjoy their new adventures. Many thanked them for ‘the amazing memories’ and instruction. ‘I wonder how many kids and adults have enjoyed the water because of you two?’ pondered one.

All ‘on the water’ courses booked until October 31 will go ahead as planned and shore-based courses for 2024 are unaffected.  Courses booked in 2025 have been notified about any new arrangements or locations.

It is not yet known whether another business will move into the quayside premises that SeaSports Southwest has occupied for the last 17 years.