Wetwheels Solent

27/10/2026

04/10/2026

Today was the Run Southampton event. An early start for all ! the day started with a damp thick fog but the sun burnt its way through and it was scorching.

It was great to catch up with our runners ahead of their races and then half the team went to the finishing line to hand out water and snacks.

We couldn’t do events like these without amazing volunteers so a huge thank you to four of our Hamble volunteers, Dana, Olisha , Nicky and Phil. Wetwheels Hamble

And a even large thank you to our runners, both children and adults! Funds raised will go directly towards our 2027 season and ensuring we can continue to subsidise the costs for trips to ensure barrier free boating for all those with disabilities:

Helen Tidbury; Alfie; Rory ; Becky Williams; Katherine Cowley; Shannon Cohead; Amelia; Harley; Gracie; Evie; Jasmine and Tommy

If anyone reading knows a runner or is inspired to run for Team Wetwheels themselves, we have valid places for other RunThrough events across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex and beyond for example:

South Downs trail - August 2027
Southampton running festival - August 2027
Surrey half marathon - March 2027
the Fix Trail - May 1017
Goodwood Motor Circuit - various dates across 26/27

If you’re interested you can email [email protected]
or call
07904 997622

30/09/2026

We just have to share this wonderful video made recently by a mum of one of our Hamble boat users, Esmai. We were absolutely thrilled when we saw her video of Esmai enjoying a trip this summer - if a picture is worth a thousand words then it's immeasurable how many words this video is worth but it sums up the very purpose for what we do!

POST FROM ESMAI'S MUM:

"There are some things people might assume Esmai can’t do because she uses a wheelchair… powerboating is probably one of them. ❤️

But this is what happens when barriers are removed and children are simply given the opportunity to join in.

A huge thank you to Wetwheels Hamble team for giving Esmai such an amazing experience, and to The Dorset Children's Foundation for making this day possible. 🥰

That smile says everything.

Inclusion isn’t about watching from the sidelines it’s about getting to have the adventure too. ❤️"

Geoff Holt MBE - your vision from a boat trip 15 years ago is still making dreams come true!

29/09/2026

Southampton Boat Show round-up. With the support of Suzuki Marine UK, our Wetwheels Portsmouth boat delivered shortened experiences across the entire the show for adults and children, disabled and neurodivergent participants, carers and family members, as well as some visiting schools.

In total, just over 500 people experienced the boat this year – giving so many people the opportunity to get out on the water and experience the freedom, confidence and enjoyment that accessible powerboating can bring. Thanks to all our skippers and volunteers who came from both our Wetwheels Hamble and Wetwheels Portsmouth bases to ensure these trips could take place!

It was fantastic for our boat to be quayside and for our team to be able to talk to people about what we do and, most importantly, to let people see accessible boating in action.

Across the course of the event we had the opportunity to meet up with both long terms supporters, including Spinlock , Mindworks Marketing, British Marine, Pantaenius UK , as well as potential new supporters and meet other exhibitors including the Wetwheels Foundation.

As always, SIBS 2026 provides an invaluable opportunity to meet businesses and individuals from across the maritime sector, raise the profile of Wetwheels Solent and start building new relationships that we hope will develop over the coming months. Now comes the follow-up… ☕️

24/09/2026

Skipper Dan sets a new Wetwheels world record! 🚤🏆

On Wednesday 23 September at Southampton Boat Show, Skipper Dan completed an incredible 10 Wetwheels experience trips around the show course, taking 102 passengers out on the water in a single day.

We believe that’s a new Wetwheels record for the number of passengers carried on one Wetwheels boat in one day!
Huge well done to Dan, his brilliant crew and everyone who helped make it happen. What a day. 👏🌊

Here are a few pictures from an amazing day at the show.

24/09/2026

Really happy to welcome back the The Rose Road Association to the Southampton Boat Show again this year for their trip on Wetwheels. Looks like you had as much fun as we did.

23/09/2026

This really captures something important about a Wetwheels day.

The trip itself might only be part of it. The experience starts much earlier — having a date in the diary, looking forward to it, getting up and getting ready, organising accessible transport and making the journey to Gunwharf Quays before finally arriving at the boat.

For some of our participants, just getting to us can take real effort. That makes the moment they finally come aboard, feel the spray, take the wheel and head out onto the Solent all the more special.

And behind every trip is a trained, qualified team focused on doing two things: keeping everyone safe and making sure they have a bloody good time.

That’s what Wetwheels is really about. Not just a boat trip, but the whole experience, the anticipation, the adventure and the memories that stay with people long afterwards.

Thank you Cherry Trees UK for sharing this. We loved having you with us.

23/09/2026

We’re halfway through Southampton Boat Show and having an amazing time! 🚤🌊

So far, we’ve been running around six Wetwheels trips a day, with up to 10 people on each trip — that’s around 300 people out on the water in just five days!

A very special thank you to Suzuki Marine UK for their fantastic support, and to British Marine for another brilliant show.

If any of our Wetwheels participants would like to come along during the second half of the show, drop us a message and we can let you know about ticketing options.

Great atmosphere, great people, and most importantly, lots more people getting out on the water and seeing what Wetwheels is all about. ⚓😊

17/09/2026

Are you thinking about heading to the Southampton International Boat Show this year?
Thanks to support from Suzuki Marine UK and British Marine the Wetwheels Solent Portsmouth boat will be doing six fully accessible mini experiences each day of the event and we are able to give tickets to the participant and a carer or family member to get them into the show so it's completely free.

Contact our office to pre-book a space or you can simply turn up on the day if you have already bought your Boat Show tickets: [email protected] / 07904 997622

The aim is simple: barrier-free accessible boating for all.

If you are visiting the show and would like to come to our berth at M103 and see our boat and the joy it brings to individuals, reach out to our Corporate Partnership Manager, Lara Bull with a DM or via [email protected]

Collectively, the Wetwheels Hamble and Portsmouth boats provide around 5,000 experiences each year for disabled children and adults, families, SEND schools and community groups. Many participants travel significant distances to experience the freedom, excitement and sense of adventure that being out on the water can bring.

The true cost of each experience is currently subsidised by around 45%, helping to ensure that cost does not become another barrier. We are keen to build relationships with businesses across the Solent through our Corporate Partnership Club. For £100 a month, a business can help fund a full day on the water each year for up to 20 people, helping us continue to provide these life-changing experiences.