Stuart Boreham

Stuart was born in Stornoway, Outer Hebrides, in May 1966. With his father serving in the Royal Air Force, up to the age of 12 he was educated in schools around the world. From the ages of 12-18, he was a boarder at the King's School, Gloucester.

As a child, it was soon apparent that he had difficulties with his legs - cerebral palsy had left him spastic in his lower limbs. What he lacks in strength in his limbs he has made up for in strength of willpower to succeed.

Several major operations on his legs and feet improved his ability to walk. Stuart has always been keen to show that he is as able as others, but for him taking part in sports invariably meant supporting his friends from the sidelines, whilst they took part themselves. However, whilst at school, the opportunity to take part in dinghy sailing came along and the pleasure derived from this activity ignited a spark that would smoulder on until later events turned it into a flame.

Despite his disability, after leaving school Stuart travelled alone around the world, visiting Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and North America before returning home. Although a great success for him, the strenuous nature of the trip took its toll and Stuart required major surgery at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford. Stuart then decided he wanted to do something to help them and having heard of an endurance record for karting, Stuart set out to break it whilst raising money in a major sponsored event. Unfortunately, just before the event, a racing accident in the kart provided a significant setback in his ambitions. The accident kept him in a wheelchair for many months and off work for nearly a year.

During this lengthy period of recuperation, Stuart had been following the progress of The British Steel Challenge through the pages of the National press. Stuart then decided that he wanted to see the yachts return home and so he headed for Southampton. Still wheel-chair bound, a chance encounter with Sir Chay Blyth - the race organiser - fired Stuart's imagination. The chance to go Ocean Racing spurred Stuart on and aided his recovery. A subsequent application and interview with Sir Chay Blyth saw Stuart accepted to take part in the BT Global Challenge 1996-97 round the world yacht race, sailing on board Time & Tide which was crewed entirely by people with a disability or who had overcome a life-threatening illness.

Initially trained by the acclaimed yachtsman Pete Goss, Stuart went on to amass over 20,000 miles ocean experience.

In the run up to the event, Stuart achieved another ‘first’, when – in April 1996 - he drove a fully working ride-on lawnmower from John O’Groats to Land’s End at 7 mph – the top speed of the mower! Needing to find accommodation for each of the 17 nights he was on the route, he often succeeded in getting this free in return for a few laps of the respective hotels gardens, giving them a quick trim!

After completing the yacht race, Stuart sailed as a member of the crew on the Safety Vessel which accompanied the 1997 Port St. Charles Atlantic Rowing Race from the Canaries to Barbados. During this activity, he was able to learn a great deal about the requirements of ocean rowing, including the preparation, equipment and safety standards required.

Determined to succeed at his rowing voyage - in which he was aiming to become the first physically disabled person to row an ocean - Stuart not only focussed on having a solid team behind him and a good, well equipped boat, but took a unique approach to aid his fitness and mental preparation. He took up horse riding. To do so he overcame his fears of being on the horse and controlling it, which helped to develop his positive mind and self confidence. Also, riding the horse aided the strengthening of his back and other muscle groups whilst improving his balance and posture.

Having raised sponsorship of £82,000 in order to have a suitable boat built, equipped and provisioned for the journey, as well as preparing himself physically and mentally for the challenge, Stuart rowed out from La Gomera, Canaries and began his epic journey. The 3341 mile crossing, to Barbados, took 109 days 12 hours and nine minutes, during which time he overcame numerous difficulties such as electrical failure, sore hands and infected feet and a lengthy storm that saw winds of up to 50 mph and waves of 45 feet in height batter him and his boat for five days. The highs on the trip included seeing dolphins close up, sharks, whales and many many tuna, as well as a fantastic sunset on Christmas day evening.

Stuart uses his experiences as metaphors for his presentations which, whilst based on the central theme that ability lies within us all, cover a variety of topics including motivation, achieving success, overcoming adversity, leadership, team building, communication, diversity and personal development.

Professional, articulate and presentable, Stuart is a highly capable conference, after dinner and special event speaker. With a creative mind, and a keen awareness of clients’ individual needs, Stuart can tailor presentations to suit.