SAS meets Shaun
Shaun's involvement in the annual kayaking event on the Thames Weir at the foot of the Wittington House grounds made it fate for SAS UK to meet Shaun in the place he is most at home - the water! As the event (named the Hurley Rodeo) got bigger SAS were asked to be sponsors - through banners on the riverbank and on the bibs of the contestants.

Al Sim (Director of Strategy and Marketing, SAS UK) met Shaun and found his drive and amibition to make his sport accessible to others extremely likeable.



Special Olympics, SAS and Shaun
SAS approached Shaun regarding the Special Olympics. Al Sim (Director of Strategy and Marketing, SAS UK) had been a keen advocate of the Special Olympics GB Team (SOGB) and wanted Shaun to get involved in pioneering for another aspect of sports - kayaking. This year, kayaking is being introduced as an 'exploratory', potential new sport for Special Olympics.

Why sponsor Shaun?
Shaun is a local sporting hero (he comes from Maidenhead) and, in Al Sim's (Director of Strategy and Marketing, SAS UK) words "A very likeable, driven, open-minded 'sporting entrepreneur' who is passionate about what he does, with a willingness to bring others into his world of kayaking".

Shaun is not just skilled and talented, but he is also committed to the sport he loves: he tries to improve not just his own performance but the performance of others. He dedicates time to others - giving them the intelligence and solutions they require to strive for their goals. He is devoted to progressing kayaking and this identifies with the way in which SAS are committed to developing software and business solutions.

What does the future hold for SAS and Shaun?
A look into the future shows that things are about to get even more interesting - Shaun has spent time designing and modifying kayaks and safety equipment with his most recent invention being documented on BBC's Top Gear - the jet-powered kayak! A truly amazing creation that won the race against Richard Hammond who was driving a Tomcat (a powerful Land Rover style 4x4) in Iceland. SAS has been involved in the support and sponsorship of this project and this summer (weather permitting) should see the first flight of the Jet Kayak at the Hurley Rodeo.