New owners take the helm of Windward Sailing

Roelie & Sharon le Roux acquire Fernandina Beach sailing school and charter business

January 15, 2023 (Fernandina Beach, FL) – Windward Sailing owners Tony and Cindy Jones of Fernandina Beach, Florida, have announced the sale of their sailing school and charter business to Roelie and Sharon Le Roux of Sammamish, WA. The Le Roux family took ownership on December 15, 2022.

Tony and Cindy Jones purchased Windward Sailing in 2005 from founder Charley Weaver, who opened the business in 1997 in Fernandina Beach. Since taking over, Tony, Cindy, and their crew have trained and certified hundreds of sailors and provided sailing charters for thousands of guests to Amelia Island.

Windward Sailing has been the recipient of the American Sailing Association’s “Outstanding Sailing School” award four times in recent years. In addition, several instructors at the school have received “ASA Outstanding Instructor” honors for their efforts in the classroom and hands-on teaching. This award honors the top 1% of active-status ASA Instructors across the country as determined by surveys submitted by students.

New Owners

The Le Roux family will use their passion for sailing, the outdoors, and their business experience to grow Windward Sailing while educating and entertaining sailors, nature lovers, and fun seekers wanting to spend time together and celebrate events on the water. Windward Sailing will continue to offer ASA-certified sailing classes and charters on their monohull and catamaran fleet.

A graduate of the University of South Africa Law School, Roelie practiced law and, until recently, served in several regional and global legal roles for Microsoft Corporation. Taking over an award-winning sailing business is a dream come true for Roelie and Sharon who have owned sailing boats and chartered in many exotic locations around the world.

More recently Sharon owned and operated an independent shipping store and gift boutique near Seattle, WA. The La Roux family plans to relocate to Fernandina Beach in the coming months.

Sand Dollar Business Advisors

The Jones family was assisted in selling their business by Sand Dollar Business Advisors, based in Fernandina Beach.

“We were pleased to have found Sand Dollar Business Advisors. Their professionalism and leadership helped us feel confident with our future plans and business strategies,” said Cindy Jones. “They not only met but exceeded our expectations. The sale of our business was a smooth transition, and they were with us every step of the way.”

Tony and Cindy will remain in the Amelia Island area and provide hands-on training during the transition. Tony will continue to work with Windward Sailing in an advisory role and as a charter captain.

Windward Sailing’s team of certified captains offers classes multiple times per month and sailing charter options seven days per week. Customers can sail on the beautiful waterways around Jacksonville and Amelia Island, Cumberland Island, GA., and the Atlantic Ocean. For more information about upcoming classes or to book a sailing charter, visit https://windwardsailing.com/.

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For more information, contact Jason Gerke at Sand Dollar Business Advisors, LLC at (904) 866-1283.