Sophie Cotton

Born and raised in Winchester, I was fortunate enough to escape to the South West on many holidays and grew up with a deep passion for the ocean.  With this came a love of surfing, swimming and an appreciation of nature. As I began to travel around the world I realized what a tremendous impact humanity has had on the environment and the need for immediate action.  Everywhere I’ve been, from the wild waves on Vancouver Island to the sweltering coasts of Sri Lanka to the windy cliffs of Portugal and beyond, I have witnessed first-hand the deterioration of the ocean.

While studying English at the University of Exeter, I spent a lot of time chasing waves on the north coast, as well as being involved with the university surf club.  This introduced me to the incredible work of Surfers Against Sewage. Collaborating with SAS on a university event, I was inspired by their commitment to create safer seas, and in turn create healthier relationships between local communities and the ocean.

As a Community and Events Administrator, I want to further build those relationships and understandings of how vital our ocean and coastal health is to everyone. I am looking forward to engaging our communities and inspiring others to create positive lasting environmental change, through educational events, beach cleans, festivals and our amazing Regional Reps programme.