Serving Whitby and the North Yorkshire and North East coast
Launched in 2018, Wetwheels Yorkshire became the fifth regional operator for the national disability power boating charity Wetwheels Foundation. It is community interest company number 10158051.
Wetwheels Yorkshire has her home in Whitby, so is perfectly positioned to operate across the region, from the North East to the Humber.
The Wetwheels experience is designed to enable every disabled person the chance to experience the excitement of power boating. Wetwheels boats are truly unique by being fully accessible - not just giving you the chance to be a passenger, but also to take the helm as the skipper - everybody gets the chance to drive!
We depend on the goodwill of our wonderfully experienced volunteers and generous donors to bring Wetwheels to you. If you would like to be part of a Wetwheels Yorkshire experience, it doesn't matter if you're young or old; Just get in touch with Peter in the office to arrange your visit.
The Wetwheels Yorkshire team look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Information about upcoming events, trip dates and availability can be found in our NEWS section.
As with any successful organisation, it is our people that make the difference.
Our team of volunteer crew undergo specialist disability awareness training in a maritime context, training in such essential tasks such as boat safety, safeguarding and much more.
We even have a small group of 'land crew' that carry out the necessary logistics, fundraising and back-office tasks that every organisation needs.
The people that really make Wetwheels Yorkshire work, however, are the mums and dads, the care staff and other support workers who choose to make the effort to bring our participants along to take part in a Wetwheels trip.
Peter is the chairman and founder of Wetwheels Yorkshire CIC. As a professionally qualified skipper Peter spends his time away from the desk, at the helm of Wetwheels Yorkshire.
A retired business owner, Peter is vice-chair of York Sharks Wheelchair Basketball Club, a committee member of YCTC (RYA York Cruiser Training Centre) and attends the North Yorkshire Disability Sports Steering Group.
Philippa has spent her career in healthcare including hospitals, the community and specialist environments. Philippa delivers Wetwheels Yorkshire's 'Disability Awareness Training in a Maritime Context' to our team.
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. 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. He is a Council member of the RNLI. He is 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. In 2011 he founded Wetwheels
The following Blog was written by a lovely lady, Linda Barnes, who documents her experiences transitioning from a wife, to a carer (her words) as she supports her husband Ken following his early diagnosis with dementia. Linda's original blog can be...
Prior to the arrival of Wetwheels Yorkshire on the North East Coast, sea fishing was impossible for many disabled enthusiasts. Thanks to support from the BDAA (British Disabled Angling Association) the team at Wetwheels Yorkshire now have a grow...
On August 1st 2018 (Yorkshire Day) Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, visited Whitby to meet participants and crew on board Wetwheels Yorkshire. Her Royal Highness then performed a naming ceremony to officially welcome the fifth boat into the Wetwheels fleet.
Following the arrival of Wetwheels Yorkshire into Whitby in June 2018, she travelled to the nearby port of Scarborough to run the first ever fully accessible trips from the UK's first ever holiday resort.
A brief compilation to the soundtrack of 'You Only Live Once' by kind permission of Alistair Griffin.
In August 2019, the Wetwheels Yorkshire team were joined by a film crew from the BBC One Show, including presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff, to showcase the work being carried out to enable local people, living with disabilities to take part in the sport of sea fishing.
Video commissioned to alleviate anxiety amongst new participants (accompanies Story Board). Filmed on Wetwheels Solent, but provides an indication of what you can expect when you join us.
