Most biographies of Geoff Holt’s life will lead with the fact that he was paralysed from the chest down after a swimming accident when he was just 18 years old. But it is what Geoff did afterwards that is the truly inspiring story. Despite previously believing that he would never be able to sail again, Geoff became the first quadriplegic yachtsman to sail solo around Britain and across the Atlantic. Even more impressive, however, is that he did the initial challenge, covering nearly 1,500 miles – in a 4.5m long dinghy!
A highly popular motivational speaker and hugely experienced yachtsman, Geoff is a regular columnist for such publications as Yachts & Yachting and All At Sea, co-presents a sailing show on BBC Radio Solent, and has featured in such TV documentaries as Geoff's Atlantic Adventure and Able Seaman. The winner of numerous awards, in December 2007 Geoff was named BBC South Sports Personality of the Year. In 2010 he was appointed to MBE and in 2012 made a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire.
His most enterprising award was the Stelios Philanthropic Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in 2015 in recognition for his work promoting his Wetwheels Foundation. The organisation aims to "Provide life-enriching adventures at sea for all disabled people", and their friends and families. Using specially-adapted powerboats, Wetwheels helps improve disabled people’s confidence and wellbeing by organising sea-going adventures. With 5 boats, the foundation is able to reach over 15,000 people a year.
Author of the book Walking On Water, Geoff is able to inspire and motivate people with his talks that show how whatever challenges are thrown at you they can be overcome. And not only overcome, for most people in his position that would be just managing to be mobile and get through life, but excelling beyond anything that would normally be seen as a limitation or boundary.
