Wetwheels Solent

Geoff was paralysed in a swimming accident in 1984 and uses a wheelchair. In 1995 he became the inaugural Chairman of RYA Sailability. In 2007 he became the first disabled person to sail single-handed around Great Britain and in 2009 he sailed across the Atlantic Ocean unassisted. He was awarded an MBE for “Services to Disabled Sailing” in 2010 and named ‘Yachtsman of the Year’ shortly after. He was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire in 2012 and he is a Council member of the RNLI. He is also a patron and ambassador for several charities for people with disabilities.

Geoff has 20 years experience in marketing & PR working for international accountancy firms Deloitte & Coopers & Lybrand. He holds a degree in Antiques and Auctioneering. He is the author of 'Walking on Water' and is a professional Speaker. 

He founded Wetwheels in 2011. 

I come from a background of hospitality, including working as cabin crew with British Midland flying from Heathrow . We moved down to the New Forest with our then young family in 1997 and I have worked with event companies in the Solent and spent the last 10 years working at Hotel TerraVina in the New Forest, being promoted from receptionist to General Manager during that time.

I was lucky to spend 4 years in Texas working as a Legal Secretary, where I learnt to waterski.  When I moved to Heathrow I figured that a good way to meet people would be to join a waterski club.  It was, as this was where I met Steve.  As a family we all ski at a club in Ringwood, which also has a disabled section,  I have seen first hand the joy that freedom on the water can bring  I am looking forward to spreading the word about Wetwheels so that as many people as possible can enjoy a world I love being part of.

Andrew has recently retired after successfully running his own business for 18 years and has a lifelong love of the sea, boating and fishing.

After meeting Geoff more than 40 years ago through the Round Table organisation Andrew was honoured to be asked to be involved with Wetwheels, and being part of a group that offers such wonderful experiences on the water fills him with pride.  Andrew is committed to ensuring that Wetwheels continues to provide trips that offer freedom and adventure to wheelchair users of all ages.

Martin is Regional Director for Vision Independent Financial Planning Ltd and first became involved with Wetwheels when he was inspired by Geoff Holt at a corporate speech Geoff gave.  He says, “What I can give back is only an incredibly tiny percentage of what Geoff does for disabled people.  To see the reaction we get from people who have experienced a ride on the boat is amazing and worth any time I am able to spend!

Having spent my teen years growing up in Cape Town I have always had a passion for the sea.  Any spare time I had I surfed, waterskied and sailed. Eventually I crewed on a new yacht delivery from there to the Med and started life in the UK on the south coast. I’ve been around and had boats most of my life so a job with Wetwheels was perfect especially with the people I get to meet and in turn share the enjoyment that boats and the sea can bring