The sea has always been a place of freedom, but for many disabled people, it has remained out of reach. On 15 October, HRH The Princess Royal joined Wetwheels Foundation in Torbay to celebrate a vision that is changing that – one where accessible boating is no longer the exception, but the norm.
Hosted with the support of the English Riviera BID Company, the visit shone a spotlight on the transformative work of Wetwheels, a national charity founded by disabled yachtsman Geoff Holt MBE. With a fleet of eight specially adapted boats already in operation around the UK, they enable disabled and disadvantaged people – including those with profound and complex needs – to get out on the water in a safe, stimulating and rewarding way. Every Wetwheels trip is interactive: participants are not just passengers, but active crew, with the chance to take the helm and share the thrill of boating alongside friends, families and carers. The result is confidence-building, empowering and life-changing, improving both physical and mental wellbeing while opening up time on the water to all.
Now, inspired by the growing demand for inclusive boating, Wetwheels is embarking on the next stage of its journey: a drive to expand its fleet, with a goal of establishing ten boats nationwide, and to bring the joy of life on the water to thousands more people every year. As patron, HRH The Princess Royal’s visit marks a powerful moment of recognition for the charity’s mission.
Geoff Holt MBE said: “Boating is a privilege that everyone should be able to enjoy. As our patron, HRH The Princess Royal’s visit highlights the life-changing impact of what we do – joy, empowerment, independence and inclusion. We are now asking people across the UK to join us and to help us take more people out on the water than ever before.”
Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID Company, added: “We are proud to support this visit, which not only underlines Torbay’s role in championing inclusion but also highlights the importance of making our waters accessible to absolutely everyone.”
Wetwheels’ goal is clear: more boats, more opportunities and more lives changed through barrier-free boating.
