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.

Like many of us, the last 8 months have been challenging, but it has also given me the chance to plan the next chapter.  Our young family have grown and flown and for me this was a time to make dramatic changes.  So in the middle of this epidemic I handed in my notice and looked for a new challenge.  I had met Geoff during my time at TerraVina and I had been fortunate to briefly work with the WetWheels foundation.  Serendipitously Wet Wheels Solent were also making changes and  I am so happy that I will be joining them. 

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!

When Keith moved from inland to the south coast of Hampshire in 1973 his love of the sea began. He has owned dinghies, a yacht and developed a keen interest in boat angling and is currently on his 5th fishing boat moored in Gosport. 

Keith has been involved with many local sailing charities as either crew and once he became qualified as a skipper. The participants have always been either disadvantaged or disabled young persons so when the opportunity to skipper Wetwheels Solent came along in 2012 he felt suitably experienced to take on the role. 8 years later he has taken out over 10,000 participants on Wetwheels Solent and is looking forward to taking out many more.

Skippering Wetwheels Solent is without a doubt the most rewarding and satisfying job he has ever done