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

10 years of Wetwheels

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?

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

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3 days ago
Geoff Holt MBE

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
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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.

1 CommentComment on Facebook

It’s always hard with the journeyer questions hope all went well. Hope the finishing time is on the right footing

5 days ago
Geoff Holt MBE

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
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Exciting news to share 😎

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

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1 week ago
Geoff Holt MBE

We have a really big announcement coming this Thursday 14th March. Make sure you Like and Follow Finishing the Dream to be the first to see the news, interviews and pictures on Thursday - time to dust off the life-jacket again .! 😎 ... See MoreSee Less

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Can’t wait Geoff Holt MBE!!! The team and I at EMARI group Ltd are 100% behind you!

Look forward to hearing about your next caper! 👏🏻

Can’t wait to hear the news Geoff 🙌🙌

Exciting! 😮

3 weeks ago
Geoff Holt MBE

Today I was reunited with a very special friend ❤️ #freethinker Challenger Class Association Community ... See MoreSee Less

Today I was reunited with a very special friend ❤️ #Freethinker  Challenger Class Association Community

10 CommentsComment on Facebook

17 years..!

Hi Geoff hope you are keeping well sending best. xxx

We put her name on at Ally Pally. Very proud moment.

The boat’s just hanging out waiting for you? That trip was one of the most amazing adventures I have ever read about. And inspiring all those people to help you. More amazing. Bravely done.

Looking good

Lord Holt my hero.

Glad you did it Geoff look what you have achieved since buddy.

Dinghy Show?

How long ago did you do this challenge?

Where were you, didnt come on my stand ??? 🙂

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3 months ago
Geoff Holt MBE

Desperately sad but inevitable news. 🥲 ... See MoreSee Less

Desperately sad but inevitable news. 🥲

8 CommentsComment on Facebook

So sad JST provided a unique Sailing experience for my son and my great nephew as part of their DOE GOLD programs. Will there be a rescue mission ??

So sad 😞

So sorry to hear this 😥

Just heard this on the news Geoff, sad day and their losses came about after COVID lockdowns, Years on companies are suffering

Really sad to read this. 🤦‍♂️

That is such sad news

Really sad to hear this news

I first sailed with JST in 1993 and have been involved and sailed many times since. A totally unique organisation which deserved a better future. Part of the problem that has built up over several years is poor management by overpaid senior management. This screenshot from the accounts from a couple of years ago. A small charity running two ships at that time. They slimmed down but it was too late. I feel both sad and angry. So sorry for the sea staff and small hard working office staff who are now without employment just before Christmas.

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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.”

Syngenta

“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.”

J.P. Morgan

“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.”

M&S Money

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