Louise Clayton

Lou Clayton has been an established member of the Unity Coaching preparation and delivery team for the past three years. She has led successful Women’s Open Keelboat Championship campaigns and works regularly as an onboard coach at events including Cowes Week, the Winter and Spring Series, and the Forth Cape Series. Lou’s coaching philosophy focuses on teaching the why, not just the how, and she is known for getting the best out of individuals and teams. Lou grew up sailing on the Norfolk Broads, where her dad and uncle encouraged early independence in an Optimist. After completing RYA Start Sailing and racing courses, she went on to compete in six Splash Class World Championships. At the age of 16, she qualified as a dinghy instructor, marking the start of her coaching career. Following her studies in physiotherapy, Lou moved to Nottingham and became a regular coach for the youth squad at Nottinghamshire County Sailing Club. A subsequent career break saw her complete three Caribbean racing seasons, four Fastnet campaigns, and a transatlantic crossing, significantly expanding her offshore experience. In 2021, Lou began double-handed racing aboard fellow Unity coach Stuart Greenfield’s S&S 34 Morning After. Together, they won the double-handed fleet in the St Malo Race and completed the Round Britain and Ireland Race with a four-person team. Lou was later selected to compete in the 2024 Double-Handed Offshore World Championships. As part of the Magenta Project, Lou has been mentored by America’s Cup trimmer Chris Mason and was also selected by Francesca Clapcich for the Female IMOCA Leadership Programme. Through this programme, she gained time working with the 11th Hour racing team and delivery from Lorient to La Harve in Prep for the Cafe Lor transat race and she was one of the 4 crew to deliver the boat back across the atlantic aboard the IMOCA 60 Malizia (Now 11th Hour Racing). Looking ahead, Lou is focused on skippering longer offshore races, with ambitions including the Caribbean 600. She continues to develop as a reliable offshore sailor, ensuring she brings the highest standards of performance, leadership, and learning to both her teams and her students.