Quadriplegic yachtsman Geoff Holt has set sail in wheelchair-accessible catamaran on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.
Geoff’s “Personal Atlantic” challenge, sees him sailing a 60ft, purpose-built, catamaran on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The 2,700 mile journey will take him up to a three weeks to complete.
In completing his Challenge, Geoff Holt will become the first quadriplegic to make the journey, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.
Having sailed the Atlantic Ocean three times before an accident in 1984 which left Geoff confined to a wheelchair, this will be an emotional voyage for Geoff Holt as he attempts the journey for the first time as a disabled yachtsman. But his overiding desire in attempting the voyage, is to inspire others to do something positive with their lives.
As Geoff says, “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
Geoff says about the crossing, ““I first thought of doing the Atlantic when I got back from my trip around Great Britain in September 2007. Everyone was asking “What next?, What next?”. I didn’t reveal my plan then, not even to my wife, I wanted to continue to enjoy the experience of Personal Everest. It was the right decision. It would be another 6 months before I drummed up the courage to tell Elaine, but by then I’d already met with Mike and asked to borrow his boat. He said “yes” so getting Elaine’s approval suddenly became all the more urgent”.
Aged only 16, Geoff had sailed the Atlantic Ocean twice and, by his 18th birthday, he had sailed it for a third time. To sail the Atlantic again, more than 25 years later, only this time as a quadriplegic, will be to achieve a dream considered unthinkable when he first lost his livelihood as a yachtsman in 1984.
“But more than achieving a dream. In so doing, I can give something back to the sport I love so dearly. Not only are we raising funds for the Ellen Macarthur Trust, but it will hopefully inspire a new generation of disabled sailors”.
Read more about his adventures at www.geoffholt.com