Wetwheels
Torbay
At the heart of the sea and sunshine in the beautiful English Riviera. Covering Devon and beyond.
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Welcome to Wetwheels Torbay
Based at MDL Marina in Torquay, perfectly situated to serve the whole of Devon, East Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset and beyond.
Torbay and the English Riviera provide the most stunning coastlines with many secluded coves, is a UNESCO Geopark and has an abundance of marine life including a resident pod of dolphins, porpoise, seals and an array of sea birds.
The Wetwheels experience is designed to enable every disabled person, including those with profound and complex disabilities, the chance to experience the excitement of power boating without boundaries. Wetwheels Torbay is 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 have scheduled trips and experiences from Torquay, which can be tailored to your individual group. So whether it’s a wildlife spotting trip looking out for seals and dolphins or you simply want to experience the coastline from a new perspective, we can accommodate everybody.
We occasionally offer special trips or outreach weeks at other ports such as Dartmouth and Salcombe based around special events and times of the year. So please keep an eye on our bookings page and our social media for these or sign up to our newsletter so you’re kept up-to-date.
We look forward to welcome you aboard our barrier-free boating experience.
SPONSORSHIP and FUNDING
As a non profit organisation, we depend on the goodwill of volunteers and generous donors to bring the Wetwheels service to our participants. If you would like to know more about how you can be involved in this exciting project as a volunteer, or to assist with funding, contact Michelle by email info@wetwheelstorbay.co.uk
If you wish to make a donation to support Wetwheels Torbay please follow the link to our Just Giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/wetwheelsTorbay
Bookings are online, If you have an enquiry please do drop us an email.
Private Charter / Group Bookings
- Wetwheels Torbay
Wetwheels Torbay can be privately booked for an hour right up to a full day (8 hours). Please drop us an email to discuss your requirements. info@wetwheelstorbay.co.uk We can explore the bay, breaking the trip up in short segments stopping at places of interest to allow you to enjoy the beauty of the English Riviera and keeping an eye out
Riviera Coastal Explorer – 2 Hours – £50pp
- Wetwheels Torbay
We will visit some rock islands which are home to an array of sea birds including Guillemots between March and July. These islands are also home to our local seals so keep an eye out. We then extend further out to sea as we seek our resident dolphin pods and look for porpoise. We will explore either South towards Babbacombe
Torbay Classic – Around The Bay – 1 Hour – £35pp
- Wetwheels Torbay
You will meet our team at our base at Torquay Marina to get kitted up, have a safety briefing and lifejacket fitting. We then depart Torquay Harbour admiring the wonderful boats on our way out. There are a couple of set routes for our coastal explore and our Skippers will choose the best area for your trip ensuring a safe
Torbay Fishing Trip
- Wetwheels Torbay
Enjoy a spot of fishing in Torbay. First we head up the coast as we make our way to the first fishing spot. Then chill with the rods over the side as we take in the relaxation of the bay. We have a couple of spots we can try – we will keep a look ot for wildlife as we
If you are looking for that perfect gift you can always buy a gift voucher. Our gift vouchers are instantly available to download, email or print and make the perfect gift of an experience.
All our gift vouchers can be used in full or part payment for any of our experiences.
You can redeem your voucher here, during your checkout process or even over the phone by calling us or dropping us an email.
As a non profit organisation, we depend on the goodwill of generous donors to bring the Wetwheels service to our participants. If you would like to know more about how you can be involved to assist with funding, contact Michelle by email info@wetwheelstorbay.co.uk
If you wish to make a donation to support Wetwheels Torbay please follow the link to our Just Giving page:
James Ashton
Benefactor + Patron
James has made Wetwheels Torbay a reality !!
Always loving the sea from a young age, James was fortunate to retire and looked forward to enjoy his time afloat from his boat in Torquay. Unfortunately the month after retirement he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Today he needs 24-7 care from 2 carers and is permanently attached to a ventilator to keep him breathing. He can’t move any muscles and can only communicate with an eye gaze computer.
James’ desire was to leave a legacy so others, not ordinarily able to access the sea by boat through illness or disability could enjoy the immense pleasure it brings. With the support of his wife, Joanna and his two teenage boys, Sam and Monty he decided to donate funds to enable a new build for Wetwheels from Cheetah Catamaran
Russell Smart
Director
Russell Smart is a long term friend and business partner of James Ashton. Having known each other for over 20 years, together they have turned Wetwheels Torbay from a dream into a reality.
Russell is a Director of Wetwheels Torbay CIC and will provide overarching governance of the company and help to ensure its long term future and success.
Michelle Brown
Operations Director
Michelle is responsible for managing the overall day to day running of Wetwheels Torbay.
After leaving the Royal Navy, Michelle ran her own hotel business for 10 years before settling in Torquay and starting up Torquay Watersports in 2021.
The RYA School Principal and with a wealth of marine expertise and knowledge, Michelle was thrilled to be asked to take the helm of Wetwheels Torbay as the Operations Director.
She very much looks forward to using Wetwheels Torbay as a vehicle for “giving back” something to a sector which has been her lifelong passion.
Greg Kirkpatrick
Director + Skipper
Greg is a director of Wetwheels Torbay CIC and a commercial skipper.
Previously working in the care sector, Greg changed careers and has been a commercial skipper in Torquay for many years. His passion for both boating and the glorious Torbay coastline shines through with every trip.
Greg is now excited to merge both of his career strengths moving forward with Wetwheels Torbay.
Paul Brown
Skipper
Paul Brown is our primary skipper and boat manager.
Paul spent 20 years in the Royal Navy and then became Harbour Master at the Port of Dover for 5 years before helping to set up Torquay Watersports with Michelle in 2021.
Paul is responsible for writing all of the Operating Systems, Risk Assessments and Safety Management System for Wetwheels Torbay.
Paul absolutely loves the water and I guarantee you will see him out there every day in one capacity or another.
Want to volunteer
Join our team?
We are always on the look out for volunteer skippers and crew to join our small team.
If you are interested please do get in touch by email.
Wetwheels Torbay completes its first season
- Wetwheels Torbay
What a fantastic first season we had. In 5 months we took over 500 disabled people and their families out on the water with us exploring the stunning Devon coastline and looking out for our local wildlife. Serving locals and visitors alike it was exciting to get everyone afloat and out exploring the English Riviera UNESCO Geopark. Raring to go
MDL Marina Supports Wetwheels
- Wetwheels Torbay
MDL Marina Torquay is home for the Torbay boat and MDL Marinas have stepped forward to sponsor the berth for 12 months. This incredible support eases the overheads considerably for Wetwheels Torbay ensuring its sustainability during a challenging first year. We cannot thank MDL enough for this kind gesture – going above and beyond and showcasing that their marinas throughout
Wetwheels Torbay
Sponsors & Supporters
