About Geoff Holt
Yachtsman, Ambassador & Motivational Speaker
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 severely 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. He is the founder of Wetwheels, an organisation that takes disabled people to sea in purpose-built, fully accessible motor boats.
Geoff’s News
Latest News
Peter Harrison KGCN CBE 29 April 1937 – 18 June 2021
I was very saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Peter Harrison last week (18th June) and wanted to put in writing my personal condolences...
10 years of Wetwheels
This year, 2021, Wetwheels celebrates our 10th anniversary. From humble beginnings we have come a long way in the past decade and, as the Founder of...
Wetwheels Texas?
Now home from our trip to Galveston/Houston (Texas) to investigate interest in taking Wetwheels to the USA, I thought I would share our week in the...
Geoff’s Social
Latest Videos
Latest Tweets
Latest Posts
Thanks to my friends at Raymarine, quite literally couldn't do what I do without their support - more than 30 years - even before they were called Raymarine...! 😎 Finishing the Dream
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Off the Farne Islands, 2007
Great to see the relationship you have built up over the years Geoff. 👍
😊👍🏼
No matter how many times I speak, I still get "butterflies" 🦋🦋🦋. Luckily I was addressing the Hugh James conference on #spinalcordinjury in #cardiff so I was in good company. Even more special having announced Hugh James as one of our Finishing the Dream sponsors the day before. Looking forward to sharing our great adventure with you. Supporting the Wetwheels Foundation
Spinal Injuries Association
SPINALpedia
Spinal Cord Injury
Life After Spinal Cord Injury [SCI]
![No matter how many times I speak, I still get butterflies 🦋🦋🦋. Luckily I was addressing the Hugh James conference on #spinalcordinjury in #cardiff so I was in good company. Even more special having announced Hugh James as one of our Finishing the Dream sponsors the day before. Looking forward to sharing our great adventure with you. Supporting the Wetwheels Foundation
Spinal Injuries Association
SPINALpedia
Spinal Cord Injury
Life After Spinal Cord Injury [SCI]](https://i0.wp.com/geoffholt.com/wp-content/plugins/custom-facebook-feed-pro/assets/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1)
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Good Luck Geoff! Maggie from Weston SC. You came and opened our accessible loo!!!
Your amazing
Think we’ve done two talks together - do u remember?! I had my hand on your shoulder for reassurance and we were both terrified!! 🤣🤣🤣 when does it get better??
Have you got a single hander trip planned soon I thought I read ..?
In case you missed the news..! I'm off again 😎 With great mates James and Sam, we are a taking Wetwheels around the UK, leaving St Katharine Docks Marina HMS President in London mid-May heading westabout on my next 6 week adventure called Finishing the Dream in aid of the Wetwheels Foundation. Could not do this without our fantastic sponsors including the incredibly supportive and generous Stelios Haji-ioannou Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (I won the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK back in 2015 for Wetwheels) Raymarine for the most amazing suite of electronics (watch the film), Cheetah Marine Catamarans and RS Marine, lawyers Hugh James, technical clothing from Henri-Lloyd. Info on sponsorship opportunities, contact me directly, we still have room for 2 more. 1,600 miles voyage visiting up to 20 ports and harbours. And spare a thought for our shore crew, driving 3 motorhomes more than 2,000 miles - for full information and to keep track on our progress, PLEASE follow/like Finishing the Dream on Facebook and check ot our website www.finishingthedream.co.uk where you can donate to Wetwheels Foundation
Suzuki Marine UK
Pantaenius
British Marine
Crewsaver
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
We're getting older Geoff - no dry suit or helmet, can't fall out, don't get soaked all day..... Where's the fun in that? (joke!)
Mega! That looks like a massive challenge and a load of fun. Best of luck, Geoff and crew.
We’ve got the absolute best memories from all our Wetwheels Foundation adventures over the years and we’re looking forward to many more to come💙🤍 Thank you and Good luck in your next big adventure we can’t wait to follow your journey ⚓️🛥️
Wow you never cease to amaze. Congratulations and good luck on this next adventure. Love always x
You're an amazing man ! Bon voyage
Well done my friend, wishing you all the best on this adventure.
I would love to build one for Thailand.
Brilliant mate 👍❤️
Well done Geoff Holt MBE.. lovely to have shared a little bit of your journey with you 💫
The boat looks great! Not long now 🍀
How exciting 😀
All speed and best wishes.
Good luck Geoff! 😊
magnifique
Don't forget to leave your tracker on when you're down my way...I'll come and stalk you again with cake! 😁🍰🍺
Good'on Geoff Holt MBE.
Geoff Holt MBEi am up for helping in anyway, crewing, skippering ? Contact me 👍
After a day of interviews on Thursday by the BBC, ITV and multple other media outlets, yesterday I faced the real tough questions; budding professional reporters.Today Geoff attended Lady Joanna Primary School where two of their pupils asked him the hard hitting questions to learn more about Finishing The Dream and Geoff himself.
The school are producing educational packs for schools to use during the challenge. Giving schools and home educators KS1 &KS2 curriculum packs for each of our stops, which will be available SOON on our website; www.finishingthedream.co.uk
#finishingthedream #teacherresources #ks1 #ks2 #ks1teacher #ks2teacher #homeeducationideas #homeschool
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
It’s always hard with the journeyer questions hope all went well. Hope the finishing time is on the right footing
What did they ask you Geoff?
Exciting news to share 😎🌊 Exciting news! Geoff Holt MBE is embarking on a remarkable journey, sailing 1,500 miles around the UK coastline to support Wetwheels Foundation . 🚤 As a quadriplegic adventurer, Geoff is showing that dreams know no bounds!
Follow his journey starting May 13th from London's St. Katharine’s Dock. 🗺️ This voyage celebrates Geoff's 40th year in a wheelchair, and he's committed to raising £1.2m for four new Wetwheels boats, offering life-changing experiences for over 5,000 profoundly disabled individuals annually. 🙌
With 17 key stops, including Dover, Belfast, and Edinburgh, Geoff aims to inspire and raise awareness for Wetwheels' mission. Each port holds significance as he advocates for accessibility and inclusion on the water. ⛵
Join Geoff on this daring adventure as he navigates through physical and mental challenges. Let's prove that disability is never a barrier to realising dreams! 🌟
www.finishingthedream.co.uk
#FinishingTheDream #Wetwheels #AccessibilityMatters #BarrierFree
14 CommentsComment on Facebook
Wow!! Amazing! Looking forward to following your adventure! X
Fantastic Geoff
Amazing well done !
Good luck Geoff !!!! Lots of prep no doubt. Go safe !
Best of luck with this amazing challenge!
Good luck !!! Sounds amazing
All the best for this great challenge Geoff! Remember meeting you the first time you sailed round, many years ago, in Plymouth. Great work you're doing.
Tremendous effort. Well done.
Go Go Geoff! Good luck!
Geoff. Way to go!!!!!!! I'll try to get to see you this time around. Looks like Torbay will be the closest for me on your route.
Fantastic. Such a brilliant thing to do on top of all you do for Wetwheels already. Bob and I will find some way of supporting you for sure.. X
Quel courage! Bonne chance Geoff! Xx
Well done Geoff Holt we shall look out for you on our own circumnavigation of the UK this year in our yacht Rapport. We set off from Plymouth on 12th May heading clockwise.
Not Abersoch then!! 😂Geoff Holt MBE
Testimonials
Some Kind Words About Geoff’s Work
“Exposing our R&D staff to new ideas and challenging accepted thinking is part of our continuing commitment to be innovation leaders. Your insights and personal story were an inspiration to all who attended.”
“Geoff had the whole audience fully engaged – he was highly professional and motivating and we would recommend him to anyone looking for a fantastic speaker.”
“His story is truly inspirational and really caught the imagination of the whole room. His drive, spirit and determination, delivered in a very factual way, had the whole audience mesmerised for the whole session.”