Congratulations to Geoff Holt as he achieves his Personal Atlantic
Geoff Holt has arrived in Tortola to become the first quadriplegic to sail across the Atlantic. He has sailed the 2,700 mile journey across the Atlantic on a 60ft purpose built catamaran Impossible Dream, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.
It has taken twenty eight days in total from his departure in Lanzarote to the arrival and emotional return to Cane Garden Bay where he will revisit the place of his accident that paralysed him 25years ago.
Debbie Blachford RYA Sailability Manager: “We are really excited and delighted for Geoff that he has made his ‘Personal Atlantic come true. He is truly an inspiration; he has shown that it is possible for disabled people to live a challenging life and he has shown us all that with hard work and determination we to can hope to achieve our dream, whatever it is.
“Geoff is a marvellous ambassador for RYA Sailability; his work in helping disabled people get into sailing is inspirational and tireless. Sailing is one of the few sports in which disabled people can enjoy and compete on equal terms with more able bodied people.
“Speaking to the BBC World Service this morning (7 January) Geoff said: “Disability need not be a barrier to achieving your dream … it’s about believing in yourself and being prepared to fail on the journey.”
This is the fourth time Geoff has sailed the Atlantic, but the first since his life changing accident in 1984 which left him paralysed from the chest down. Diving into shallow water broke his neck causing a complete spinal cord injury and he has used a wheelchair ever since.