Disabled man's boat dream comes true as Wet Wheels comes to Torbay

A man’s dream to build a boat that can take people living with disabilities out on the water has come true. 

A lifelong lover of the sea, Teignmouth businessman James Ashton realised the profound importance of making boating accessible when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. 

“I grew up with the sea in my blood; I was on it, in it and under it,” said James.

“Following a successful career and early retirement I thought boating and the sea were within reach of unlimited bliss. Sadly, in the same month I retired I was diagnosed with MND, although I had been suffering symptoms for the previous two years.”

Now, James needs round-the-clock assistance from two carers, and is permanently attached to a ventilator to keep him breathing. He can’t move any muscles and communicates using his eye-gaze and a special computer. 

However, James’s deteriorating condition empowered him to work with charity Wet Wheels, to put a boat in the Bay that was accessible to all.

James continued: “My love of the sea has never diminished; it remains my passion and happy place.

“My desire was to leave a legacy so others, not ordinarily able to access the sea by boat through illness or disability, could enjoy the immense pleasure it brings. With the support of my wife and our two teenage boys, I decided to donate funds to enable a new build for Wetwheels from Cheetah Catamaran. With scrutiny and guidance from my former business colleague of twenty years and friend, Russell Smart, we achieved this goal."

Even selling his boat, James’s wish was to have the boat stationed in Torbay. He also engaged in his own fundraising efforts, cycling the 100km distance the boat will make on its maiden voyage on a static bike. 

James was also joined in fundraising by fellow Torbay Wet Wheels organiser and Torquay Watersports skipper Greg Kirkpatrick, who swam every day for 101 days to raise money for the cause. 

“Our coastline here is so stunning,” said Greg, “For me, it truly is the best part of living here in the Bay. 

“I can’t imagine not being able to even see it. Why shouldn’t someone experience that just because they have a disability?”

Friend and business partner Russell Smart also got involved with the ‘triathlon’, walking 150 miles along the south coast and raising over £7,500. 

James managed to fund the £250,000 modified Cheetah Marine Catamaran. The boat will be operated by Wet Wheels Torbay, a community interest company that seeks to provide an opportunity for disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages - including those with multiple, profound and complex impairments - to access the water.

After being modified and equipped near Portsmouth, the vessel was finally brought down to Torbay last week. 

“We picked it up with James, he was very emotional when he got to see it on the jetty,” said Michelle Brown, one of the organisers behind Wet Wheels Torbay. 

“But then we had to sail it back and the weather was awful! It was 1-3m swell and thick fog all the way to Torbay.”

The weather was luckily much better for the first outing last weekend, which saw four people with Down’s syndrome and their families come aboard. 

Michelle said: “It was a fantastic day. They all got a chance to drive and they’ve booked another trip in June. I messaged James to tell him about the first trip, and he replied to say that it makes him feel as good as going out on the water himself.”

Next month, Rowcroft will be taking people out on the boat, kindly sponsored by Ocean BMW in Exeter. 

To find out more about Wet Wheels, or to get involved with a trip, visit: wetwheelsfoundation.org.