A record-breaking disabled sailor from Hampshire has been awarded an honorary degree in recognition of his courage, resilience and remarkable achievements. Geoff Holt MBE, from Wallington near Fareham, became the first sailor to cross the Atlantic Ocean and has since dedicated his life to making sailing accessible for others through his charity, Wetwheels.
Bournemouth University presented Mr Holt with an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration at a graduation ceremony held at the Bournemouth International Centre. The university said the award was given in recognition of his “courage and resilience in rebuilding his life” after being paralysed at the age of 18 when he dived into shallow water.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Holt described the award as a “tremendous honour… it’s just wonderful to be recognised”. He added that the recognition was not just for him, but also for his wife Elaine, saying: “It’s just wonderful to be recognised not just for me but for my wife too who is part of my team.”
Mr Holt met Elaine while she was working as a nurse at the hospital where he was treated following his accident, and he credits her constant support for helping him achieve so much since. Over the years, he has become a leading figure in inclusive sailing, founding Wetwheels to give disabled people the opportunity to experience life at sea in specially-designed accessible boats.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr Holt offered graduates some words of advice: “Focus on what you can change, rather than get bogged down in what you can’t.” Using a sailor’s analogy, he added: “To use a nautical metaphor, it’s about the journey. Things change at sea, the weather changes, the sea state changes and that can be said about the world we live in. Things change, and you have to be able to adapt.”
Over the 40 years since his accident, Mr Holt has received multiple honours, including an MBE for services to disabled sailing, a BBC South Sports Personality of the Year award, and the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs. In May and June 2024, he completed a circumnavigation of Great Britain in a powerboat. He continues to inspire others through his ongoing work with the RNLI and RYA Sailability, championing accessibility, opportunity, and determination both on and off the water.
