“On a rainy September morning, I had the privilege of joining Nicola on a boat trip off the coast of Dover. As luck would have it, the skipper offered me the chance to steer the craft, and I eagerly accepted. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, I knew it was going to be an unforgettable experience. 

As we set off from Dover harbour, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. The experienced crew, led by the skilled pilot James and his shipmate Alan, made sure we were all safe and comfortable on board. And with the stunning views of the sea and the harbour walls, the rain only added to the adventure.

After an hour of cruising through the waves, we made it back to shore in one piece. Michelle greeted us with warm smiles back at the base , ready to award us with badges and collect our life jackets. It was truly a memorable experience, one that I would highly recommend to any wheelchair user.

Wetwheels provides the opportunity for all disabled people, including those with profound and complex disabilities, to access the sea in a safe, stimulating and rewarding way on board specially built, fully accessible powerboats. By offering the opportunity to experience this as active participants they build confidence and improve physical and mental wellbeing.

But Wetwheels is more than just a fun boat trip. Its a registered UK charity that aims to make the sea accessible to people of all abilities. With over 12,000 people on the water each year, they’re now expanding their fleet to ten boats across the UK — opening the water to thousands more.”

Clive Bassant, CLEO