The world of powerboating is opening up to thousands of disabled people in the Westcountry and beyond with the launch of Wetwheels South West, a custom built, fully accessible, £200,000 catamaran in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Helming the vessel for her inaugural spin around the waters of Falmouth Harbour was seventeen year old Fin Allen whose smile said it all: “It was a really unique experience and freeing, actually. I didn't know this was possible. It just shows you what is possible with the power of thinking and donation. It's great. Being able to drive the boat in your chair is really important because it's really important to feel comfortable – it helps a lot."

Commodore Jamie Miller CBE DL RN “named the boat” at Falmouth Visitors' Marina – opening the door to exhilarating water-borne adventures for many people who have never been out to sea or even dreamed it might be possible.

Wetwheels was founded in 2011 by Geoff Holt MBE DL - a lifelong sailor who was paralysed in a swimming accident in 1984 – whose passionate mission has been to give people of all ages, including those with the most profound disabilities, the opportunity to get out on the water in an exhilarating, safe, stimulating and rewarding way.

With the support of donors and partners the, charity provides barrier-free water-based adventures for disabled people on board specially designed boats with specialist staff who ensure each person can share experiences, challenge their self-perceptions, extend their horizons, and discover new opportunities.

“This is a very proud moment for me personally and a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in Wetwheels” says Geoff Holt. “When I founded Wetwheels, it was with the aim to make the sea accessible to all disabilities, including those most excluded. It had to be a highly sensory experience and I designed the boat with a ramp to the wheel so, for a moment in time, anyone with a disability, could be captain of a powerboat. I am delighted we now have 6 boats, collectively taking in excess of 7,000 people a year to sea. Only out there does the real magic happen, you leave your disability on the dock and have a truly memorable adventure on the ocean.”

Beneficiaries are active participants, rather than simply passengers, with the opportunity to steer the vessel and learn seamanship, alongside their peers, friends, and families. The experience is truly inclusive helping to improve aspirations and increase confidence.

The Falmouth-based Wetwheels South West is the latest of six vessels based around the coast with the first launching in the Solent, then Jersey, Hamble, Whitby and Dover. She was funded in part by private donors but mostly by Sport England who have recognised the innovative work Wetwheels is doing to get disabled active, particularly those with more complex needs.

“Sport and physical activity makes us happier and healthier and it is essential for our wellbeing,” said Adam Blaze, Strategic Lead for Disability, Sport England. “It has the power to make life better, which is why we champion it so everyone can enjoy the benefit of being active. 

“National Lottery players raise £30 million every week for good causes in the UK, and it is this funding that has made our unique partnership with the Wetwheels Foundation to get more disabled people active through life changing experiences on the sea possible.  Fully accessible powerboats mean everyone can be active in a fun and safe way, learn new skills and become more confident.”

Anyone wishing to learn more about Wetwheels, their work, fundraising or how to participate can visit https://wetwheelsfoundation.org/ or contact trevor.phillips@wetwheelsfoundation.org  –  07889 153 628.

or for Wetwheels South West, David Rogers at david.rogers@wetwheelssouthwest.co.uk  - 07889275907

ENDS

Notes to Editors:-

Above photos and more of Wetwheels South West's Falmouth launch day including boat to boat shots and Fin Allen helming are free to use - available high res at https://soundviewmedia.wetransfer.com/downloads/ead1d66878b0c8644deb99142eda191520200902162410/eddd8b195c2f101013a1b12137dd0ca420200902162410/667deb  - a picture credit to Soundview Media is appreciated.

A WeTransfer of further high res images by Brian Robinson Photography including shots of visitors to Cornwall, Peter and Cynthia Watson, available at https://wetransfer.com/downloads/e8aef535274637f8b2d6aa9886ff68f820200902124513/d72381713c0371ada6d28d85e9fa766820200902124531/c4b9e7

B-Roll footage of the launch, including GVs on board the boat, GoPro shots, boat-to boat shots and interviews with Wetwheels Founder Geoff Holt and Finley Allen are all freely available, courtesy of Soundview Media in association with Wetwheels – available at WeTransfer https://soundviewmedia.wetransfer.com/downloads/246a9cf7f26634227d6f8e091f74907920200901194040/95e837077a1e9ec1cfb86292c096457b20200901194040/049fc6  (A higher res Pro version of this is available on request)

A short film made for Wetwheels South West by Soundview Media of the launch events – also free for media use – is available at https://soundviewmedia.wetransfer.com/downloads/3caca2a98b86593081acb3d50fa3ed5720200902151112/3e7bc9faac93c56ba46ba8df08abc8ec20200902151112/78c1c9

A b-roll of the naming of the boat by Commodore Jamie Miller CBE DL RN at Falmouth Visitors' Marina is available at https://soundviewmedia.wetransfer.com/downloads/b6c6fef756dffece27dfd654d068c26320200902160110/7975e1c82c01847969da1c2d9ad6984820200902160110/6b854c

Contacts:-

Wetwheels - Trevor Phillips, WWF trustee - trevor.phillips@wetwheelsfoundation.org  – 07889 153 628

Or Wetwheels South West - David Rogers - david.rogers@wetwheelssouthwest.co.uk  - 07889275907

Or Louise Midgley PR – louise@midgleycomms.co.uk - 07831696093

About Wetwheels…

Wetwheels builds the confidence of disabled participants by providing the opportunity to access the sea in a fun, safe, stimulating and rewarding way using specially modified, fully accessible powerboats.

Wetwheels was conceived and founded by disabled yachtsman, Geoff Holt MBE. There are now six Wetwheels vessels operating around the coast starting with Wetwheels Solent, Wetwheels Jersey, Wetwheels Hamble, Wetwheels Yorkshire, Wetwheels South East and now Wetwheels South West, based in Falmouth.

Each local Wetwheels Operator is a social enterprise, registered as a community interest company (CIC), or the local equivalent (as in Jersey). Operators gain the advantage of the support of the Wetwheels Foundation, a registered charity, and a proven, successful, sustainable operating model.

Wetwheels is proud to have HRH The Princess Royal as Patron.

For more information on Wetwheels, its teams and its work please visit https://wetwheelsfoundation.org/

About Sport England

Sport England is a public body and invests up to £300 million National Lottery and government money each year in projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport.

It wants everyone in England, regardless of age, background, or level of ability, to feel able to engage in sport and physical activity. That's why a lot of its work is specifically focused on helping people who do no, or very little, physical activity and groups who are typically less active - like women, disabled people and people on lower incomes.