After months of preparation, quadriplegic adventurer Geoff Holt set sail from St Catherine's Docks in London on 13 May for an unprecedented circumnavigation of the British coastline. He will spend the next month sailing through 1,600 miles of stunning coastline and calling at 17 accessible ports in the UK aboard a fully accessible Cheetah Marine catamaran, a record-breaking feat of resilience and dreams.
This "Fulfilling the Dream" trip is not only a feat of Geoff personally pushing the limits, but also a declaration of his inspiration to other people with disabilities to pursue their passions. He hopes to raise £1.2 million for the Wetwheels Foundation through this voyage, so that more people with disabilities can enjoy a barrier-free sailing experience.
Geoff's life is full of legends. In 1984, at the age of 18, he suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a diving accident and has been paralyzed from the chest down. However, the disability did not break him, but inspired him to strengthen his will and courage to pursue his dreams. He refuses to let disability define him or limit his ambitions. He learned to sail using specially modified boats and equipment, and grew to develop a passion for promoting this sport for people with disabilities.
Geoff spent 40 years in a wheelchair. He uses a wheelchair and has already achieved several remarkable achievements. In 2007, he became the first person with a severe disability to sail around the UK on a single sailboat. In 2009, he performed another miracle when he became the first quadriplegic to cross the Atlantic unassisted. In 2010, he was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to para sailing. These remarkable achievements not only demonstrate Geoff's tenacity and perseverance, but also make him an outstanding representative of para sailing.
In addition to his nautical career, Geoff has 20 years of marketing and PR experience at international accounting firm Deloitte & Coopers & Lybrand. He holds a degree in Antiques and Auctions, is the author of Walking on Water, and is an acclaimed professional speaker. In 2011, he founded Wetwels, a company dedicated to providing life-changing sailing experiences to more severely disabled people.
He hopes to raise funds for four new wet steamers that will provide life-changing experiences to more than 5,000 people with severe disabilities each year. The Circumnavigation of the UK Coastline Challenge was sponsored and supported by a number of organisations, including UK-based RS Marine Group, the Stelios Charitable Foundation, Hugh James and Raymarine Electronics.
Before leaving, Geoff said fondly: "I believe that by travelling around the UK, I can let more people know that even people with disabilities like me can realize their worth if they have a dream and put it into action." I hope that my story will inspire more people to be brave enough to pursue their dreams and try the seemingly impossible. ”
Geoff Holt的环英国航行挑战
Geoff and his team will travel west along the South Coast and stop at various ports, not only to advance philanthropy, but also to sow seeds of hope for others with disabilities in need, and to inspire every heart that wants to fly. They will also visit eight wet ship bases, which offer thousands of unforgettable boat trips in the UK for people with disabilities, allowing them to appreciate the vastness and depth of the sea.
The route, estimated to take him four to six weeks to complete, will take place aboard an accessible wet-wheeled Cheetah Marine catamaran powerboat and will be followed by a three-vehicle shore team, including Geoff's own wheelchair-accessible campervan. Stops will include some of the UK's most famous ports, including Dover, Falmouth, Holyhead, Bangor, Auburn, Whitby and Lowensteft, before returning to the UK capital for the successful completion of this meaningful voyage.
As Geoff and his team were about to depart, the Lord Mayor of London, Michael Mainelli, personally went to St Catherine's Quay to see them off. "On this journey, Geoff and his team will have an important mission to collect microplastic samples along the UK coastline and contribute to Suzuki's Clean Seas project," he said fondly.
"With the ocean and marine wildlife valued to the world economy at over $1.5 trillion a year, and as one of the biggest threats to our oceans and marine wildlife, the City of London is at the forefront of tackling the microplastics challenge and is committed to building a platform for thought leaders to protect our blue home."
"The work of the Wet Wheels is undoubtedly at the forefront of scientific progress, not only to improve the environment, but also to make the water world spectacular for those who are unable to go underwater. It's an inspiration and encouragement to all of us. "
市长迈Michael Mainelli(左)和Geoff及其团队
Beginning his last accessible wet steamer adventure, Geoff said: "Today is the beginning of the next chapter of my life and probably my biggest challenge to date. As a 58-year-old quadriplegic, I spent 40 years in a wheelchair. However, the sea is the salvation of my life. When I float on the surface of the sea, the feeling of freedom and independence makes me feel as if I have forgotten the constraints of my body. I have dedicated my life to promoting the opportunities and benefits that sailing brings to people with disabilities, and now I finally have the opportunity to spread this belief across the UK. ”
"Although I sailed around the UK in 2007 for more than 100 days and visited more than 50 ports and harbours, travelling around the UK by motor boat presented a different set of challenges. But this trip on a powerboat presented a whole new set of challenges. The speed of the motor boat is faster and the impact of the waves is greater, which is undoubtedly a serious test for the boat and my body. We designed and built a cushioning device that used shock absorbers to hold my wheelchair in place, which would effectively dissipate most of the energy and impact from the big waves. ”
"I'm really looking forward to the next few weeks, although I'm very aware of the challenges ahead, not only the physical and mental impact of being on board for up to eight hours a day on my own, but also the huge logistical challenges our shore-based team faces as they travel across the UK – and will be travelling over 2,500 miles and camping every night." "The 1,500-mile journey was not only a test of my physical endurance, but also a spiritual challenge for me, navigating the world's most dangerous and crowded waters, and every circumambulation was a baptism and sublimation of my spirit.
"It's only when I cross the finish line and get back into the arms of London to achieve our fundraising goals that I allow myself to loosen my nerves a little."
Wet Wheel Foundation
The Wet Wheel Foundation offers people of all ages with disabilities and vulnerable populations, including those with multiple, severe, and complex disabilities, the opportunity to launch in a custom-built vessel specifically designed for wheelchair access. Let more people feel the beauty and hope of life. Geoff has already assembled a fleet of 8 boats in the UK, and plans to add 4 more ships through this challenge to bring warmth and care to more people with disabilities. And continue to help an additional 5,000 people with disabilities realize their dreams of going into the water every year, so that their lives will be more colorful.
Geoff Holt's journey is not only a challenge and transcendence of himself, but also a profound exploration of the meaning of life. He used his bravery and tenacity to explain what it means to be truly brave, and also let us see the unlimited potential of people with disabilities in pursuing their dreams and realizing their self-worth. His actions inspire each and every one of us, and make us believe that as long as we have faith and move forward, we will be able to create our own wonderful life.