Following adjustments to the buoyancy of his clothing by his safety equipment suppliers Crewsaver and a wait for appropriate weather window, 41 year old Geoff sailed past the South Cardinal marker in Southampton Water on Sunday 20 May to get his challenge underway. Hampshire based Geoff, who has been wheelchair bound since a swimming accident when he was 18, will sail for eight hours per day and expects the voyage to take bout 60 days to complete.

Two motor homes and a Land Rover equipped with a winch and overhead crane hoist for lifting Geoff and his boat out of the water will travel by road, meeting Geoff and his support crew at the end of each day. His wife Elaine, a former nurse and part of his support team, will drive one of the motor homes accompanied by their five year old son Timothy.

Rotarians around Great Britain are helping Geoff and his team with many of the practical problems they will encounter on his voyage. Geoff and his boat exhibited at RIBI Conference in Bournemouth in mid-April, which was attended by 2,500 Rotarians. The sailor and his boat became the stars of the show and many Rotarians volunteered to provide regional support as the challenge moves around the coast.

The Personal Everest challenge would not be possible without the support of law firm Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons which has provided funding to ensure Geoff has the necessary back up team and equipment to make his attempt safe and efficient. Marine companies Henri-Lloyd, MarineTrack and Raymarine are also supplying vital clothing and equipment.

At the time of writing, Geoff was on the way to Brixham on the fourth leg of his challenge, having already called at Lymington, Portland and Bridport. His voyage can be followed by visiting www.personaleverest.com, which is available courtesy of MarineTrack and shows Geoff’s hourly progress.