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
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@portsmouthsu @portsmouthsport We're delighted inspirational yachtsman Geoff Holt MBE DL @WetWheels is part of our BRIT Ambassador family & championing the #BRITChallenge - https://www.thebritchallenge.org.uk/post/inspirational-yachtsman-geoff-holt-mbe-dl-supports-our-brit-ambassador-family-the-brit-challenge Geoff would be delighted to support students & staff taking part @portsmouthuni RT
Honoured to represent the @WetwheelsFdn at our Patron's Charity Forum this week. Great to meet up again with some great friends and charities @RYASailability @charityspoon @SeaCadetsUK
Today The Princess Royal hosted her first Charities Forum since the pandemic. Representatives from a selection of HRH’s charities attended, from @MidwivesRCM to @CarersTrust.
The charities discussed the challenges of the pandemic, as well as the lessons they’ve learned.
Forgotten I’d written that, seems like only yesterday John gave me that advice. I use it at least once a week 🤣 🍺🍻
Absolutely loving @WetWheels book, ‘Walking on Water’ ... especially this description of occupational therapy! 💚
Latest Posts
Doing a bit of family research, this time my GG Grandfather, Captain Thomas Diaper. That is some obituary 👏 I think I have inherited his huge nose 👃@Mandi Merritt a few boat names may ring some bells. His son, my G grandfather, Walter Diaper, crewed on Shamrock IV.
Tom Webb crewed Shamrock IV in the classic America’s Cup racing in Bermuda
That is amazing . Xxxxxx
First time back at St James's Palace since 1999 (Olympic reception with Tony Blair), forgotten how beautiful it is. Wonderful to see friends again from Wooden Spoon Charity and RYA Sailability Royal Family News UK
twitter.com
“Today The Princess Royal hosted her first Charities Forum since the pandemic. Representatives from a selection of HRH’s charities attended, from @MidwivesRCM to @CarersTrust. The charities discus...Tim's progress this week..!
Epic! A fantastic experience and achievement. Love seeing all the pics.
Awesome 👏
Looks amazing 🤩
Wow, 10 years..! Where to next with Wetwheels?
So many many congratulations Geoff Holt MBE. Here’s to the next 10 and the inspirational plans you have. Wonderful!
Incredible success story Geoff and you must be very proud 👍❤️
I try not to post personal/family updates on my public profile but, just occassionally, pride overcomes me. Many of you will know my son Tim has not followed in my footsteps (tyre marks), he is not a sailor, never has been, never will be despite my best efforts to persuade him othherwise. He has however inherited the adventure gene and is shortly to summit this monster, 6,500m Mera Peak, the first of 3 mountains over 6,000m he's climbing over the next 4 weeks in the Khumbu region, Nepal. Elaine & I & Wilf the dog are sat at home in the warm getting periodic updates - Elaine having kittens. Me bursting with jealousy. Both of us in awe and hugely proud. A HUGE thankyou to 360 Expeditions and Rolfe Oostra Mountaineer at 360 Expeditions just the most amazing people who made this possible. You too could swapping the humdrum of daily life and be having your own adventure. Take a look at their website. www.360-expeditions.com More updates may follow if you are happy to keep seeing them? Ed Stafford
Absolutely amazing , memories he will take through his life . Well done Tim , and well done to you both on having such a courageous son I am proud for you . Xxxxxxx
Bursting (and a tad jealous too) alongside you and Elaine and with you, and for you. Wow wow wow 🤩
How fabulous, go Tim awesome as always. And so you should be proud Geoff and Elaine you have every reason to be v v proud 😊. Always an adventurer from young age. X
That is amazing, many congratulations to your young man, what an inspiration x
Thank you for sharing Geoff. Very proud parents and rightly so. Good luck to Tim and the team.
As long as he is happy with what he is doing! Looks as though he is having a great time!
Hope he has a fantastic time. 360 are fantastic. Best wishes to you all xx
Beautiful - you must be so proud x
Very exciting trip! But I get Elaine having kittens, I’m with you!! 😩 part of the course of having sons 😂😂 xxx
Awesome Geoff, how proud you both must be, am sure that the mountain gods will look favourable on the climb
To be honest it’s not a surprise - when I interviewed him live some 12 years ago he wanted to be a fireman!! I am loving these updates - what an incredible adventure x
Epic adventure ! Oh to be that young and fit again 🤪 Kittens, pride and love xxxx
Looks amazing. Look forward to hearing the updates on how Tim is getting on.
Well he us the son of an adventurer. I’m going straight onto that website Geoff Holt MBE. Please say high five to him from me
Good for him, I’m sure he’s having a great time, I have trouble climbing the stairs
What a wonderful adventure for Tim!
Well done to Tim. And Geoff keep sharing the updates
Well done Tim! A chip off the old block!
How marvellous! X
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.”