“The time on the boat, and the time on the water, has been the first time in the four years since my injuries, that I have felt more like that previous version of myself. We’re not talking about our injuries. We’re just people going for a sail. It’s giving opportunities. The end point is we go off and sail in our own communities.”
Those were the words of an amputee sailing aboard the Farr 65 Stride Forward during the Round the Island Race 2026.
On Saturday 11 July, nearly 800 yachts set sail to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight. A north-easterly breeze delivered an enjoyable downwind sail to The Needles, but the real challenge was still to come. The breeze and tide demanded almost 40 tacks along the island’s southern coastline before rewarding the crew with a final downwind spinnaker run to the finish.
For most crews, those 40 tacks would simply be remembered as hard work. For the Stride Forward crew, they became one of the defining moments of the day.
“Never did anyone back away from the relentless tacking on the back of the island and the ingenuity they all showed while working around their disabilities was humbling,” said photographer and Stride Forward mentor Matt Dickens.
Founded by Holly King, Stride Forward is a national charity supporting people who have experienced life-changing physical trauma. Through mentoring and shared experiences, the charity helps people rebuild confidence, independence and belief in what is still possible.
That philosophy was brought to life on the water.
The crew, each with their own story and their own life-changing injuries, joined Hampshire-based multi award-winning skipper Brian Thompson, founder Holly King, trustee Adam Marchant-Wincott and photographer and mentor Matt Dickens for what became far more than simply a race around the Isle of Wight.
Laura, a former skydiving instructor from Hampshire, was electrocuted when she landed on a power cable. Suffering severe burns, she is now registered blind. The Round the Island Race helped her discovered something she hadn’t realised she had been missing.
“I didn’t realise how much I missed the adrenaline until I went sailing with Holly in Plymouth during a training weekend. The feeling I got from sailing almost replicated what I used to experience when skydiving. I hadn’t realised how much I’d missed it, and it was really cool.”
She also praised skipper Brian Thompson for his calm leadership throughout the race, bringing the whole team together and creating an environment where everyone could thrive.
Brian reflected on the race saying, “It was a great experience for me meeting all the Stride Forward sailors and completing the race with them. A huge well done for making it happen!”
When most people think of mentoring, they picture career progression or learning from someone established in their profession. Stride Forward’s mentoring is something very different. The destination may still be confidence and growth, but the journey begins with helping someone adapt to life after serious injury, showing them, they are still capable of extraordinary things and that they remain part of a community.
And what about the result?
“Not wanting to sound like a cliché, for us this was about getting to the start line. We did so much more than that. We completed and competed in the whole race,” said Holly King.
“I am incredibly proud of how we raced. We finished 30th in class and 264th overall. Our crew was made possible because of the amazing mentors within Stride Forward. I’ve watched this crew grow stronger both mentally and physically, and the teamwork throughout the race was incredible. Stride Forward more than proved what inclusion looks like on a boat that made no adaptations for disability. We adapted to her. With ingenuity and creativity, we worked around her, raced her hard, and 10 hours later crossed the finish line, showing the world just how much disabled people have to offer, both in sport and in the workplace.”
For Stride Forward, Round the Island Race wasn’t about silverware. It was about proving that life after serious injury can still be filled with adventure, teamwork and achievement.
Sailing is just one part of the Stride Forward mentoring programme. To find out more about the charity and its work, visit www.strideforward.org.uk.
About the crew:
Simon was in a road traffic collision while cycling. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and lost right elbow and hand, partial hand on left, and below knee amputation. Simon is new to sailing and lives in Colchester.
Stu was in a road traffic collision on a motorbike. From Cornwall, he lost his leg above the knee. Stu sailed with Stride Forward during Cowes Week 2025.
Jim comes from Manchester, and was in a road traffic collision while cycling. He is a below knee amputee. Jim sailed with Stride Forward during Cowes Week 2025.
Mat has 75% burns from fuel while working for ProDrive as engineer. Mat is new to sailing and lives in Northamptonshire.
Naill comes from Sheffield and has Autism and learning difficulties. Nail has previously sailed with Sailability, another sailing charity.
Ben was part of a rugby tackle that went wrong and is below knee amputee. Ben, who lives in London, sailed in Cowes Week 2025 and as part of mentorship has been Holly King’s first mate during the sail training.
Laura from Hampshire was electrocuted when she landed on a power cable on sky diving landing. Laura is registered blind and suffered severe burns. Laura is new to sailing.
Annie has a traumatic brain injury that has led to epilepsy and lower limb burns. Annie, who lives in London, is new to sailing.
