WetWheels Yorkshire

Wetwheels was established on the Solent by Geoff Holt and is now spreading round the coastline opening in Scarborough this summer. Peter Richardson the local organiser gave a really interesting illustrated talk to the club about it.

Geoff  Holt became an inspiration to many when he completed his ‘Personal Everest’ challenge. Geoff sailed 1,445 miles, solo, around Great Britain in a fragile 15-foot dinghy in 2007. Hailed an extraordinary, courageous achievement, Geoff is a passionate, talented yachtsman who uses a wheelchair. Paralysed from the chest down after a swimming accident, Geoff secured another place in the history books when he become the first quadriplegic sailor to sail across the Atlantic in January 2010. As someone once joked, Geoff Holt is now the most admired disabled sailor since Nelson!

Wetwheels builds disabled people’s confidence by providing the opportunity to access the sea in a fun, safe, stimulating and rewarding way using specially modified, fully accessible powerboats. 

With the support of our donors and partner organisations we provide water-based activity experiences for disabled people on board our specially designed boats, from centres within local communities.

Our adventurous trips afloat are staffed by specialists who ensure each person can share experiences, challenge their self-perceptions, extend their horizons, and discover new opportunities.

Beneficiaries are active participants, rather than simply passengers, with the opportunity to steer the vessel and learn seamanship, alongside their peers, friends, and families.  The experience is truly inclusive helping to improve aspirations and increase confidence.

Our own research tells us more than 80% of Wetwheels’ participants have never previously been on the sea.  When asked why, the reason given is that the opportunity had not existed before.  Disabled people can face particular challenges developing confidence, self-belief, self-worth and independence and many do not reach their potential in life.  Most are very able but are restricted by low aspiration and lack of opportunity, which often impacts on wellbeing, the ability to live a full life and make a valuable contribution to society.

Wetwheels is an inspiring organisation where perceived barriers are reassessed, new skills are learned and new-found independence is discovered. Participants are able to have a single experience or return over time to develop new skills.

How we're structured

Wetwheels Yorkshire is a Community Interest Company (CIC). We are a registered not-for-profit organisation limited by guarantee serving our local community. Using fully accesible boats, we can provide boating opportunities for people of all ages and of all abilities. We offer a range of options; from educational and mentoring programmes to sport and experiential trips, there is something for most people. For more information, try our website.

Where appropriate, we ask participants to contribute towards the costs of their trip. We may be able to access funds to cover some programme funding but we are adamant that lack of finance should not exclude anyone from enjoying our boating opportunities.