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
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Peter Harrison KGCN CBE 29 April 1937 โ 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...
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And so another Southampton Boat Show comes to a close, I calculated this is my 35th consecutive show (allowing for Covid). Thanks to all of our Wetwheels Foundation team of crew and volunteers and special thanks to my work colleague Row - it's her last day today after 3 great years. We wish her well in her new adventure..! ๐
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thanks Row!!! Enjoy your new adventure!!
All the best to Row for great success in her next venture. Thank you for your warmth and energy on all the trips we've had with you. Xx
And a very humble thank you to you, Geoff, for your extraordinary achievement in growing Wetwheels and giving families like ours entry to experiences we'd never have access to.
And we’ve just celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary which have all clashed with boat Southampton Boat Show.!!!!
Thank you Row and congratulations on your next adventure. We look forward to hearing all about it. John and Angie HB
Really lovely to hear that my old boat FREETHINKER that I sailed around UK in 2007 (blimey, 16 years ago) is still going strong and last weekend won the Challenger Class Association Community National Championships. Congratulations to Chi Chian Wu for sailing such a blinding regatta - just look at those points (10 points in an 8 race regatta). And those in the know will get the irony of Chi winning the Curtis Cup, named after my greatest racing adversary, and one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, Kev Curtis - he will be delighted when I tell him. ๐๐๐
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Wow, nice surprise message to wake up to. I must update my photo..! Couldn't do it without our amazing network of Operators and volunteers๐
An Inspiring Voyage: How Geoff Holt MBE Built Wetwheels Into A Force For Good
www.freshbusinessthinking.com
Geoff Holt knows firsthand the challenges of living with a disability. As a quadriplegic, the British entrepreneur and adventurer has spent decades pushing the boundaries of what's possible. In 2011, ...21 CommentsComment on Facebook
Blimey, just back from hols and read all the nice comments, thanks peeps..! ๐๐
What a legend! Changing lives Congratulations and good luck! X๐ฅฐ
Many congratulations Geoff! You are an utter legend!
Just incredible
Many congratulations!
Absolutely fantastic! X
Geoff Holt has been my personal hero for many years, he is deserving of much wider recognition for his outstanding achievements. He should be awarded a knighthood at the very least.๐
Well done Mate!!
Looking mean, moody, magnificent Geoff! Another great accolade for you. What did you think of the link we sent re ‘fishing as a therapeutic activity’ ? Cx
A very worthy nomination sir!
Saw one of the Wet Wheels boats off Falmouth today circling round TS Royalist as we entered into the bay
Totally inspiring Geoff many congratulations and good luck ๐
Great article Geoff, you have inspired and achieved so much, well deserved
Fantastic Geoff! Total inspiration! Making so many people happy! ๐๐๐๐๐๐
Well deserved. Congratulations
You have and continue to enhance so many people’s lives. We need more of you in this harsh world ๐
Great article. Proud to be on board!
Brilliant and well deserved - fingers crossed x
You're a true inspiration ๐ฅฐ
Wetwheels has become an amazing company who's charity work towards Disability awareness gives a great opportunity for someone in a wheelchair to get our in a fast boat on the sea and allowing disabled Anglers the chance to get out sea fishing ๐ฃ that was only available to the able body Anglers well done Geoff ๐
โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ
Can I encourage any of my friends who know of, or who are part of, a worthy voluntary organisation in Hampshire, to consider applying/nominating the organisation for this year's King's Award for Voluntary Service. The KAVS Award is often referred to as the MBE for voluntary organisations and I'm very proud to sit on the Hampshire KAVS Committee. You have until September 15th to make your application this year. Click link for more info. Good luck. , kavs.dcms.gov.uk
Shaping Portsmouth The News, Portsmouth Hampshire & IOW Volunteers Volunteer Me - Surrey & Hampshire (UK)
The King's Award for Voluntary Service - official website
kavs.dcms.gov.uk
The Kingโs Award for Voluntary Service. Celebrating the outstanding work of local volunteer groups across the UK.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Happy place (cue fish puns) ๐๐ฃ๐
19 CommentsComment on Facebook
Geoff Holt a few of mine from earlier in the week ๐
I cod, but I won't ๐คช
You perching in your normal plaice? Looks a soleless hobby to me
The best plaice to be xx
I can’t think of a good … line.
Cos there’s no F in cod I’m a lonely sole with an empty plaice and nothing to fillet .
I flounder around in my boat.
There is a time and a place
Not a sole around !! ๐
This is Brill, I am a dab hand at these fish puns, it must be a fluke .
Do I see a ray of sunshine?
Are you trying to test us on porpoise (yes I know it’s not a fish so disqualified).
You wouldn’t catch me making fish puns, it’s a load of pollocks!
Nice to see you perched ready for a catch.
I'm sure Ernest Hemingway wrote a book about you, M'Lord.
It’s all about the bass…
No Need to Carp on about it Geoff ๐๐
No better plaice like that Geoff lol
Wahhooo ๐ฃโค๏ธ
Testimonials
Some Kind Words About Geoff’s Work
โExposing 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.โ
โGeoff had the whole audience fully engaged โ he was highly professional and motivating and we would recommend him to anyone looking for a fantastic speaker.โ
โHis 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.โ