Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments BFD 2024 Leaderboard

Wetwheels Cymru - unlocking boating access for disabled communities in Wales

by Ginger Agency 2 Apr 08:33 PDT
Wetwheels gives freedom, confidence and wellbeing © Wetwheels

Wales is missing something life-changing - but you can make it happen

As a national charity providing fully accessible boating experiences for disabled people, Wetwheels Foundation gives individuals the chance to experience the joy of the open water, to steer the boat and feel the spray, all in a safe and supported environment.

Right now, there is no dedicated Wetwheels boat in Wales — meaning thousands of disabled people are missing out on the freedom, confidence and wellbeing that these opportunities provide. Therefore, this April, the Wetwheels Foundation has launched a major campaign to raise £300,000 to establish a permanent powerboat and team in Wales, bringing barrier-free boating to all, regardless of ability.

Founded by Geoff Holt MBE DL, Wetwheels has a clear goal: to break down barriers and give disabled people the freedom to experience time at sea. A lifelong sailor, Geoff's world changed when an accident left him paralysed at 18, but his passion for the water never faded. He went on to make history as the first disabled person to sail single-handed around Great Britain and later became the first quadriplegic to sail unassisted across the Atlantic.

His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including Yachtsman of the Year and an MBE for services to disabled sailing. Through Wetwheels, Geoff has turned his personal journey into a movement—creating fully accessible boats that empower disabled people to enjoy the thrill of boating, many for the first time. His mission is simple: to ensure no one is left on the shore.

Why Wales?

This is why Wetwheels must stay in Wales for good:

  • 1 in 5 people in Wales live with a disability, yet accessible boating opportunities remain limited.
  • Coastal communities experience some of the highest levels of hardship, making access to blue spaces even more vital for mental and physical wellbeing. Cardiff itself is included in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD), highlighting areas with the highest levels of economic, social and health inequalities.
  • Blue health benefits—being on or near the water—are proven to improve mental health, reduce stress and promote social inclusion.

The great news is that from 7th-11th April, the Wetwheels South-West vessel will visit Bayscape Marina in Cardiff, offering the local community an exclusive opportunity to experience the life-changing impact of Wetwheels. With over 1,000 km of coastline and some of the UK's most stunning scenery, Wales really is the perfect next location for a Wetwheels boat. During their visit, the team will showcase how they empower disabled individuals by offering the opportunity to go on board, see the boat first-hand and share the experience with friends and family.

"We've seen the incredible impact of Wetwheels across the UK, and we know the demand for these experiences exists in Wales. The joy of being on the water should be open to everyone, regardless of ability," said Geoff Holt MBE. "Now, it's about making it happen. We are calling on supporters to join us in bringing Wetwheels Cymru to life."

To make this vision a reality, and raise £300,000 to establish a permanent boat in Cardiff, Wetwheels is looking for support from businesses and sponsors who share a commitment to maritime access, disability inclusion, and community wellbeing. They are also seeking philanthropic individuals and foundations eager to drive meaningful social impact, along with local and national stakeholders who can help champion the cause and spread the word.

By bringing Wetwheels to Wales, this initiative will open the door to life-changing experiences, breaking down barriers and empowering individuals to connect with the sea—regardless of their background or capability.

Please visit wetwheelsfoundation.org/wetwheels-operator/wetwheels-cymru to discover more about this campaign and access the dedicated JustGiving page.

Related Articles

WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history. Posted today at 7:23 am
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 10 Jul
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around. Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing. Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water. Posted on 10 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects! Posted on 10 Jul
CYCS SailMV's Vineyard Cup Preview
The regatta will feature stunning classics racing around the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. The second Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) event of the 2025 season gets under way on Friday, July 11 with the Vineyard Cup organized by Sail Martha's Vineyard (SailMV). Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup. Posted on 10 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 3
Big breeze in the morning, calm in the afternoon The third day of racing at the 2025 Moth World Championship kicked off early, with the first warning signal for the Blue fleet scheduled for 8:30 AM. Due to strong northerly winds, however, the fleet's departure was postponed to 9:00. Posted on 10 Jul
Introducing the Micro Gateway from Cyclops Marine
Live load data, simplified - smaller, smarter, even more connected At Cyclops Marine, we're driven by the pursuit of precision, performance, and progress. As the marine industry continues to embrace digital transformation, our technology is evolving rapidly. Posted on 10 Jul
Sea Sure 2025Allen Dynamic 40 FooterRooster 2025