A national campaign to make the sea accessible to everyone has been launched in English Riviera, as HRH The Princess Royal joined the Wetwheels Foundation to mark a major milestone for inclusive boating in the UK.
Hosted with the support of the English Riviera BID Company, the visit shone a national spotlight on Wetwheels’ mission to ensure that disabled and disadvantaged people – including those with profound and complex needs – can experience the freedom of the sea in a safe, empowering, and fully interactive way.
Founded by disabled yachtsman Geoff Holt MBE, the Wetwheels Foundation already operates eight specially adapted powerboats across the UK. Now, buoyed by growing demand and Royal support, the charity has announced plans to expand its fleet to ten boats nationwide, enabling thousands more people to take to the water each year.
Founder Geoff Holt MBE said: “Boating is a privilege that everyone should be able to enjoy. As our patron, HRH The Princess Royal’s visit highlights the life-changing impact of what we do – joy, empowerment, independence and inclusion. We are now asking people across the UK to join us and to help us take more people out on the water than ever before.”
Unlike traditional boat trips, every Wetwheels experience is fully interactive. Participants are not simply passengers, but active crew – taking the helm, feeling the power of the sea, and sharing unforgettable moments alongside friends, families and carers. The model not only improves physical and mental wellbeing but also builds confidence, independence, and a lasting connection to the ocean.
With eight specially adapted boats already in operation around the UK, the charity now aims to grow its fleet to ten boats nationwide, bringing the joy of life on the water to thousands more people every year.
Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID Company, said the event reflected the English Riviera’s growing reputation as an inclusive destination: “It was an honour to support HRH The Princess Royal’s visit and to celebrate the extraordinary work of Wetwheels here on the English Riviera. This initiative perfectly reflects our vision for a truly inclusive destination – one that welcomes everyone to experience the very best of our coast and community.
“The English Riviera is proud to play its part in championing accessibility, adventure and the power of the sea to inspire.”
As the sun set over Torquay, the Royal visit became more than a ceremonial moment – it marked a pivotal moment in Wetwheels’ national growth, highlighting both the scale of demand and the charity’s determination to make barrier-free boating the norm, not the exception.
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