Capture the Wave at Southampton Solent University

Capture the Wave at Southampton Solent University © Amber Wilson

Southampton Solent University was proud to sponsor a free interactive event on 17 June for children in the region aged 11-16 with physical, sensory or learning difficulties.

The event which integrated year 7 to 11 pupils from schools in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight was held at Active Nation Chamberlayne Leisure Centre in Southampton.

The event raised children’s awareness of local opportunities to participate in watersports – such as sailing, swimming and rowing - and to encourage their future participation.

Entitled ‘Capture the Wave’, the event was part of the University’s Equality Programme for 2011 and was held in collaboration with Sport Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council.

The programme for the day included fun sport activities for the children, short talks and interviews with Paralympic sportspeople, as well as exhibitions from local watersports organisations offering services to children with physical, sensory and learning difficulties. Exhibitors included RYA Sailability, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, Active Nation, the Southampton Water Sports Activities Centre and the UK Sailing Academy- all of which, kindly offered prizes for all the schools involved.

The event, inspired by the London 2012 Paralympic Games was opened by Solent University alumnus Geoff Holt MBE, quadriplegic sailor, Yachtsman of the Year 2010 and member of the Paralympic Steering Committee. Also on hand were Paralympic medal winners, Peter Hull and Andy Cassell, as well as Paralympic hopefuls Alex Rickham and Gus McKechnie. Each speaker shared motivational spirit and anecdotes from their sporting careers ranging from rowing to sailing to swimming. Students were able to ask the speakers questions in an interactive forum which really brought the floor to life.

The event's Keynote Speaker, Geoff Holt MBE, offered an inspirational insight into how adopting a positive attitude can overcome even the most severe adversity. Paralysed in a swimming accident in 1984, Geoff became the first quadriplegic yachtsman to sail (unassisted in all aspects of sailing) across the Atlantic Ocean in 2010. In his talk Geoff explained that he made a point of returning to the very beach in the Virgin Islands where his accident had occurred. Most would assume that this was for a sense of closure. However, Geoff was quick to refute this - adding that he had no reason to apologise for the previous 25 years, during which time he met his wife and his son (now 9) was born.

The event provided hands-on experiences for students from Hampshire and Isle of Wight schools and gave an insight into our British Paralympians’ determination and achievements in competitive sport.