Profiles

Having completed circumnavigations of the Isle of Wight, then Great Britain, Geoff Holt's next challenge is to sail from the Canary Islands across the Atlantic to the Caribbean.

Geoff, who lives in Shedfield, is planning to set off on the 3,000 mile journey from Canaries in early December in a specially adapted 60 foot catamaran.

Since breaking his neck in a diving accident when he was 18, Geoff has been paralysed from the neck down and is now a wheelchair user.

Geoff on his round-Britain challenge

Before the accident, he had actually sailed across the Atlantic three times as a teenager.

This crossing will have added emotional resonance as he will be arriving on the same beach, Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands where the accident happened which left him confined to a wheelchair in 1984:

"It's where my career as a yachtsman ended, so I think it's quite fitting to conclude this where it all started.  The Atlantic has always been very special to me so there is an element of going back to complete the journey - this time as a quadriplegic sailor."

Although Geoff will sail and navigate the catamaran himself, he has recently recruited an on-board, non-sailing,  carer to look after his personal and physical requirements.

Geoff Holt with Sir Robin Knox Johnston

Geoff will be raising money for the Ellen MacArthur Trust but is still looking for a sponsor for the project.  He admits: "The economic climate is making things really tough...it would be a shame for a company to miss out on the journey."

Circumnavigation

The Atlantic project is the latest Geoff's in drive to inspire others to make the most of their lives, regardless of disability.

In 2007 he completed a circumnavigation of Great Britain in 109 days - completing the journey by sailing up the Hamble with a flotilla of boats to welcome him home.  He was voted BBC South's Sports Personality of the Year for the achievement.