WETWHEELS FOUNDATION
Home South Coast Virtual Boat Show Exhibitors Wetwheels
The Wetwheels Foundation is a UK-based charity dedicated to providing disabled and disadvantaged individuals with the opportunity to access the sea through specially designed, fully accessible powerboats. Founded by disabled yachtsman Geoff Holt MBE in 2011, the organisation emphasises active participation, allowing individuals to steer the vessel and learn seamanship alongside peers, friends, and families. This hands-on experience aims to build confidence and improve physical and mental wellbeing.
Wetwheels operates a fleet of boats across various UK locations, including Portsmouth, Jersey, Hamble, Whitby, Dover, Falmouth, Edinburgh, and Torbay. Each vessel is equipped with features such as wheelchair access, ramps to the steering position, and adapted steering controls, ensuring that participants can actively engage in the boating experience. The charity's mission is to challenge self-perceptions, extend horizons, and open up new opportunities for individuals who may have never previously been on the open water.
Central to Wetwheels' approach is the belief that everyone, regardless of ability, should have the chance to experience the sea. By 2027, the foundation aims to support 12,000 people annually in participating in Wetwheels experiences across the UK. The organisation continually innovates through new technologies and improves its services based on feedback from participants. Their commitment to safety and quality has led the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to recognise them as subject matter experts on taking disabled people to sea in small boats.
Wetwheels also focuses on sustainability and environmental responsibility, striving to protect and preserve the coastline. The foundation operates through a network of local Wetwheels Operators, each registered as a community interest company or the local equivalent. These operators benefit from the support of the Wetwheels Foundation and a proven, successful, sustainable operating model. Through their efforts, Wetwheels continues to make a significant impact on the lives of disabled and disadvantaged individuals, offering life-changing experiences on the water.
