Sam Sills; Staying the Course
- Team OTC
- Aug 22
- 2 min read
For Great Britain’s Olympic windsurfer Sam Sills, the past year has been a test unlike any competition. Recovery, rehabilitation, and resilience have defined his daily life—yet the determination that once carried him to the top of his sport continues to drive him forward.
By Emma Maguire.
“I’m getting there,” Sills says. “Still recovering, but in an uptrend. My focus is to keep doing everything I can.”
That spirit has been the hallmark of his career. Born in Cornwall, Sills first rose to prominence as a youth world champion before transitioning into Olympic campaigning. His journey has taken him across the globe, competing in some of the most challenging and prestigious events in sailing, always chasing the dream of Olympic glory.
But this past year hasn’t been about medals. Instead, it’s been about rebuilding—patiently, step by step. A year of physiotherapy and graded exposure to movement has pushed him to his limits. “I’ve been working with the best people I can find,” he says. “It’s been mega tough. But my family, close friends, and the people guiding me have kept me going.”
The mental battle has been just as demanding as the physical one. To stay engaged, Sills immersed himself in podcasts and new subjects, recently diving into machine learning and computer science. “That’s been a good distraction,” he admits. Balance also came through the natural world: walking, ocean swimming, and reconnecting with the simple rhythms of life outside competition.
And then, the breakthrough. “I just started being able to sail again a few times a week,” he says. “I tried a lot before but just kept going backwards, until about July. Since then, I’ve been able to get back on the water more regularly.”
For an athlete whose life revolves around wind and waves, the return to sailing has been nothing short of transformative. It has reignited the competitive fire that pushed him onto the Olympic stage in the first place. With the Paris 2024 cycle now complete, Sills’ eyes are already looking further ahead, towards Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.
His message to others facing their own challenges is clear: “Find the best people you can to help you. Keep the spirit that you will recover—and just keep going.”
Sam Sills knows better than most that recovery is not linear. But his sails are set once more, and his course is steady. The journey continues.
Start your windsurfing journey with us here at The Official Test Centre, call 07817 717904 and book a windsurfing taster or some 1:1 tuition and see where the adventure of stepping on board could take you.
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