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Southampton Rotarian setting sail for world record

Southampton Rotarian setting sail for world record

Photo: Geoff Holt surveys the great blue sea on board the stunning catamaran, Impossible Dream. It’s a voyage like no other. Hamble Valley Rotarian and experienced sailor, Geoff Holt, is setting sail across the Atlantic Ocean on 10th December in an epic 2,700 mile journey. What makes his month long adventure more incredible is that […]

Photo: Geoff Holt surveys the great blue sea on board the stunning catamaran, Impossible Dream.

It’s a voyage like no other.

Hamble Valley Rotarian and experienced sailor, Geoff Holt, is setting sail across the Atlantic Ocean on 10th December in an epic 2,700 mile journey. What makes his month long adventure more incredible is that Geoff is not only sailing solo but he is quadriplegic and paralysed from the chest down following an accident 25 years ago.

His 60 ft catamaran, Impossible Dream, has been kitted out with the required marine technology and wheelchair accessible facilities. The boat is on loan from a friend whose only stipulation is “not to prang it”.

The trip is particularly poignant as Geoff is revisiting the site where he had the accident which took away his mobility: “I’ve been living off the memories. I now want to relive the experience. It seems right to sail back to Cane Garden Bay in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands as this is where I had my accident. I will be returning as a quadriplegic yachtsman and it is a personal challenge where I feel I will be closing the circle from having my accident and returning again as a yachtsman.”

The waters around these islands are by no means easy to sail but this is not deterring Geoff at all. In 2007, he sailed into the record books when he became the first disabled yachtsman to sail single-handed around Great Britain. This latest feat will earn Geoff another world record as he will be the first quadriplegic to make the Atlantic journey, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.

"It’s not about being disabled. It’s not about sailing the Atlantic Ocean. It’s about demonstrating that disability need not be a barrier to achieving something positive in your life," says Geoff.

Although he will be away from his wife, Elaine, and 7 year old son, Tim, over Christmas, Geoff will not be on his own. Whilst he is a vastly experienced yachtsman Geoff does need someone to help with his personal care. New Zealander, Susana Scott has specialist skills in caring for those with a high-level disability but will have no input to the sailing.

Fellow members at the Rotary Club of Hamble Valley are looking forward to tracking his progress across the ocean blue. The Club first heard about Geoff’s planned adventure over a year ago and since then has been working with him to find sponsors. Club President Bernard Dannan is supporting Geoff all the way: "We count ourselves extremely fortunate in having Geoff as a member. He’s a terrific chap and even though severely disabled, he takes part in as many of our projects as he can."  

RIBI President David Fowler is wishing Geoff every success on his epic voyage: “This is an  incredible challenge, but one which promises to be an exciting adventure.  Hopefully this ‘Impossible Dream’ will become reality and a dream come true.”

Track Geoff’s progress here.

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