Around the world in 27,000 miles

Geoff Holt MBE is a disabled sailor who has already taken on the Atlantic Ocean, now he wants to conquer the world. Well, sail around it anyway.

Ahoy Hoy

Geoff, 49, from Fareham, was awarded an MBE six years ago for services to disabled sailing. He has already completed many sailing challenges and is keen to make ocean sailing more accessible. His aims are to reach out to disabled sailors who already sail on lakes and rivers and to encourage those who think they can’t, give sailing a try.

“I propose to sail around the world in a wheelchair on a yacht for three reasons; to promote yacht recreation, vocation, and therapy.

By sailing around the globe as part of his Accessible Oceans project, Geoff hopes to overcome the problem of exclusion of disabled people from sailing and highlight it as being an issue across the world.

“At each of the stopover points we will promote the project and meet disabled people around the world.  My Accessible Oceans project will identify key hubs around the world where we will locate adapted boats so disabled people can enjoy what non-disabled sailors enjoy already.”

Celebrity Endorsements

Geoff will start and end his 27,000 mile journey in Monaco and will cover some very dangerous territory. He has 12 stops planned along the way where he’ll promote the project and catch up with his wife Elaine and son Tim.

Geoff’s adventure is a solo trip without the aid of support vessels. The boat is specifically designed and customised for Geoff to sail and live aboard for the full journey, which may take up to 14 months.  After sailing all day,  Geoff will be aided into his bed each night by spinal injury specialist carers who will be on board to assist him only as they would at home so ultimately he’ll be going it alone.

The ambitious disabled sailor aims take to the seas for this challenge in October 2017.  Unfortunately previous attempts to raise funds to complete this feat were unsuccessful.  This time around, things are different but he still has a way to go. Already on board with their support are Prince Albert of Monaco and the founder of Easyjet, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who has pledged help through the Stelios Philanthropic Organisation.  Regardless of the big hitter list of supporters, Geoff still needs two million Euros to fund the adventure.

I will rest happy knowing I can achieve it for other people – I can’t do any more than that.

Raising Awareness

“In the UK it is much harder to get funding for disabled sports. There are lots of sponsors in the sailing world but disabled sailing is always reliant on charities”

Solo sailing around the world is a challenge for any sailor and with Geoff being paralysed from the chest down, this will be an extremely demanding challenge.

“It’s endless navigation and communication. You’ve got to make the boat steer in a certain direction, know how to sail and look out for other ships – that’s 24 hours a day.”

Geoff made a promise that he would not make another trip after his last single handed Atlantic Ocean voyage in 2010. However he feels that he can achieve a lot if he manages this trip. “I will rest happy knowing I can achieve it for other people – I can’t do any more than that.”

To find out more about Geoff and his adventures click here to visit his website or follow his progress on facebook.