Wetwheels South West

I have been boating since I was 11 and running fishing charters for the last 4 years. I am currently employed at Pencalenick school where I am responsible for teaching life skills within the boarding school.

I have established WWSW to bring together my combined knowledge of working with people with disabilities and my boating experience to bring new experiences to people living with disabilities.

I have worked in industry mainly selling Marine Safety Equipment and have owned several boats over the years. My main hobby is fishing, so volunteering with Wetwheels South West seems like an ideal way to spend some of my time in retirement, while passing on my knowledge to others.

I grew up near Cape Town, South Africa and turned my childhood passions for fishing and diving into a career at sea. With more than 15 years’ experience, I am a Master Mariner who started on commercial ships and have spent the last 12 years onboard large motor yachts. Now living in Cornwall, I am looking forward to contributing to Wetwheels Southwest and sharing my love of being at sea.

When we lived in Hampshire I volunteered at a horse riding therapy centre so when we moved to Cornwall I looked for something similar. Wetwheels South West sounds fantastic & I’m looking forward to being part of it although I am not a good sailor so my volunteering will be shore based!

I’m very excited to be joining the Wetwheels team!  I have a passion for all things nautical and maritime, and love to spend time on the water.  Wetwheels will be a great opportunity to share that interest with others from all backgrounds.  I’ve spent 30 years in General Practice medicine, and have interests in sailing and aviation.    I’ve been involved with the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) and Flying Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP), both charities that make it possible for people of all abilities to sail on a tall ship or fly a plane.   Now that I am based in Cornwall, I’m very happy to be involved with Wetwheels, helping people to experience the joy and fun of being on the water! 

I’m a paramedic by day and understand how much mental stress can affect people’s lives.  My way to de stress is to get out on the water.  I would find it so difficult if I didn’t have fishing to help me calm my mind.  I heard about Wetwheels and thought how hard it must be for those with disabilities to enjoy the same calming of mind that I enjoy. Wetwheels offers me the perfect way to help people enjoy what us, able bodied are able to enjoy frequently. I love watching others catch decent fish and to be able to help them  achieve that would give me great pleasure .

I worked in the Special Unit in Redruth School for several years and when this school closed I taught special needs maths in the main school until retirement. I now work with vulnerable children for the Whitegold Foundation. I enjoy swimming, cycling and walking and have been active in organising activities outdoors and am looking forward to being involved with Wetwheels South West. 

I joined Cornwall fire and rescue service at 18, spent the first 20 years as a firefighter at Falmouth, the next 10 years I worked with and managed their Phoenix project aimed at helping young people achieve their potential. After leaving the service I founded Active Plus CIC, supporting and developing wounded injured and sick military veterans and using their skills and experiences to make a positive change for local people within their communities and see great opportunities for signposting between Active Plus and Wetwheels.

As a young man I was a merchant seaman and was lucky enough to travel to many far flung places around the world and get paid for it! In middle age I sailed dinghies and windsurfed. Now retired and living in Falmouth, I have time to contribute more to the community. I crew on board FSTS Hardiesse, a sail training vessel for teenagers and with Turn to Starboard, the sailing charity for military veterans.

I also spend time as a boat guide in our local Lifeboat Station, giving tours of our Inshore and All Weather Boats to visitors. Now joining Wetwheels South West allows me to give a helping hand and combines it with being able to share my love of the sea with people who otherwise might not be able to experience the joy of being out on the water.

I have lived and loved the sea since a very young age and I am very fortunate to have lived on the North Coast of Cornwall all of my life.

Since my teenage years I have volunteered for many things nautical and served 25 years as Lifeboat Crew and 14 years as a Coastguard. In addition, I have been in the Ambulance Service for 27 years, where my day job is an NHS Paramedic.

Having known and experienced thousands of hours on or around the water and coastline, the sea is my 'Happy Place', as I feel free and happy in my body, mind and spirit.

Knowing that some people have been less fortunate than me, has led me to become a Volunteer Crew member on Wetwheels, so I can enable others to experience the fun, relaxation and pure pleasure I enjoy at sea, and hopefully give them some precious memories and an experience that they may not of previously been able to enjoy.