About Wave Action

Wave Action is a sailing and environmental collaboration building on the wide-ranging professional experiences of Colin Speedie and Louise Johnson. Our aim is to help develop a greater awareness of the global marine environment from our work in sailing, sustainable ecotourism, minimising impacts and climate change research.

Founded in 2007, Wave Action provides film, photographic and journalism resources, in addition to consultancy services on marine ecotourism and conservation, responsible energy development and climate change.

Colin Speedie

“I have had a lifelong involvement with the sea and its inhabitants as a professional sailor, researcher and educationalist. The marine world has given me so much, and it is my aim to repay that gift through images, action and words”.

Background: Colin has owned boats since childhood, and has spent over fifteen years working as a professional yacht skipper and team leader on yacht based research projects, including projects on whales and dolphins, basking sharks and turtles. Since 1999 he has been director of the Wildlife Trusts Basking Shark Project, and since 2002 has been Principal Investigator on an Earthwatch Institute (Europe) project “Britains Basking Sharks.” Together, he and the team have covered in excess of 20,000 Km of effort based surveys between the English Channel and the Outer Hebrides aboard the 11.7m cutter “Forever Changes”.

When not sailing he enjoys writing and photography, covering a wide range of subject matters.

Louise Johnson

"Exploring the global seas aboard a sailing boat is a true privilege – it provides an exciting opportunity to get off the beaten track and view life through a different filter. Researching and reporting on the marine environment and conservation issues involves visiting a variety of habitats and cultures, each with their own unique pressures and vulnerabilities. Therefore, the privilege brings with it a responsibility to share our experiences, and help turn negative impacts into positives.”

Background: Lou has spent her professional career ensuring reduction of energy-related environmental impacts and promoting biodiversity conservation from the global to local levels. Since escaping the world of industry, she has discovered sailing, photography and specifically marine conservation. Since 2003 she has spent summers working on the Basking Shark Project with Colin, grappling with sails and warps in the seas from Cornwall to the Hebrides.

Now the focus of Lou's technical writing and consultancy is through work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), ensuring Governments and companies take sufficient responsibility when undertaking energy & mining developments that have conservation, social and climate related impacts.