Onboard Wetwheels Solent, the boat providing disabled people with unique and unforgettable experiences on the water
Wetwheels Solent nears the end of another successful season delivering unforgettable experiences
Speeding across The Solent with arms in the air and salt water spraying in her face, nine-year-old Lucy Pitt has a big smile on her face.
Wheelchair bound after suffering from multi-organ failure as a baby, getting out on the open water is not an everyday occurrence for Lucy. However, thanks to Wetwheels Solent she is one of countless disabled people that have been given the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a powerboat boat since the community interest company launched in 2011.
Wetwheels now has sites dotted around the country, but it all started in Portsmouth when disabled yachtsman Geoff Holt MBE looked to create a way for everyone to experience the joys of the water in a safe and barrier-free way. The fully accessible powerboat, which is able to take 14 people and three wheelchairs, was introduced into The Solent 15 years ago.
For the past five years the boat has been skippered in Gunwharf Quays by Dan Brown, with the service going out three times a day on average between April and the middle of October.
Dan has seen first hand the impact the experience has on those that come onboard. He said: “It is massive. You see people get on the boat and it completely changes their mannerisms, everything, they are happy. It is for the carers as well, mums, dads, it gives everyone a break from every day life, it is really good.
“We take some people out that are severely disabled and it just brings a smile to everybody’s face. I absolutely love my job and giving people these experiences.”
A sponsorship from Hill Robinson enabled the Rainbow Centre to go out on the water on September 15. The Fareham based charity has been helping adults and children with neurological conditions since 1990.
The Rainbow Centre’s Amy Cavana was looking after nine-year-old Lucy Pitt from Gosport, who has being going to the centre for six years.
When Lucy was 10 months old her parents took her to the doctor with a common cold and were told to keep an eye on her. The next day she developed rashes all over her body and was taken to hospital. It transpired that she had pneumonia with multi-organ failure which has impacted her physical and social abilities.
Amy said: “At The Rainbow Centre we support children and adults with neurological conditions. Many of our children are sensory seekers so coming on an experience like this can be suitable for them because of the vibrations, the wind in their face and it gives them the sensory feedback that a lot of them need and seek. Also the vestibular side of it as well, like when you are on a swing, the speed of this boat, Lucy was absolutely loving it.
“On behalf of the Rainbow Centre and the children and adults that have experienced the boat trip today we wanted to send a massive thank you to Hill Robinson who funded the Wetwheels trip for us.”
Also on the boat was Caroline Coppins-Brown, 65, from Fareham, and her husband Ross. She has suffered with MS for 23 years.
It is the second time that Caroline has been on a Wetwheels boat and finds it a liberating experience.
She said: “It has been great fun. It is amazing, you just feel that there are no barriers in the way even though I am stuck in a wheelchair. I think it is great.”
One of the key features that Dan highlights is that the boats are accessible for everyone, and everyone gets a turn to drive. All ages, whether disabled, a carer or family member, you can get behind the wheel under the guidance of the caring and passionate Wetwheels crew.
After bursting round The Solent for an hour and a half, everyone onboard has smiles fixed to their faces after an unforgettable experience.
Wetwheels Solent run a number of service running from Gunwharf and across the south coast, including fishing tips, tours of the harbour and high-speed experiences.
To find our more about the services and how to support the community interest company visit https://wetwheelsfoundation.org/wetwheels-operator/wetwheels-solent/.