How Sailing Helps Veterans
His current situation could hardly be more disparate to the one he is recounting.
Mike Wood was a Marine helicopter door gunner on a combat tour over the desert landscape of Afghanistan. Nowadays, he spends much of his time aboard a sailboat, skimming along the Chesapeake and competing for line honors.
When Wood returned to Maryland from the Middle East, a sense of loneliness and lack of purpose submerged him into depression. As with countless veterans coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Wood struggled to re-enter civilian life and missed the camaraderie and brotherhood he found with fellow Marines.
“My mind went to some fairly dark places,” he said. “There was such a sense of loneliness and despair. It took my family and friends to literally pull me off my couch.”
At their prodding and insistence, he looked for a way to return to his sailing hobby and found himself at a SpinSheet Crew Party.
“I had to stop feeling sorry for myself and return to what I loved: sailing.”
At that fortuitous Crew Party, he was paired with former naval aviators, with whom he shared an almost immediate bond.
“We were speaking the same language. That brotherhood and bond was understood.”
“Out on the water, they saw what was going on with me and helped snap me out of it. They said ‘This crew is like your family now, like your military family was.’ And that time on the boat did snap me out of my haze.”
The creation of Valhalla Sailing Project
According to census data, more than 3.8 million U.S. veterans have a service-related injury or disability. About 20 veterans commit suicide each day.
“That is an unacceptable number,” Wood said.
He thought since sailing and racing were his antidotes, they could potentially help other struggling veterans. He sat down over a couple of beers with two friends, Jay McGinnis and Rob Sampson.
“In a bar, where all good ideas are founded, we created Valhalla Sailing Project.”
This mission is twofold: to promote awareness of the veteran suicide epidemic and develop resilience through the sport of sailing that replicated the sense of teamwork and camaraderie found in military service.
Local support
The first two-day clinic was out of Annapolis Sailing School on Rainbow 24s. Wood decided to run it akin to a basic keelboat course, something that came naturally to him as a former sailing instructor. The first batch of eight veterans learned points of sail and terminology and took turns at each position on the boat.
The second clinic was held at Severn Sailing Association and had grown to 27 participants and using J/24s and Cal 25s.
“It grew exponentially, and I guess it was word of mouth and our connections with local VA hospitals and Walter Reed.”
As the project grew, Valhalla Sailing Project (VSP) members headquartered themselves at Eastport Yacht Club (EYC), which donated use of the club’s three J/22s.
“That partnership with EYC—using its boats and clubhouse—was the biggest factor that allowed us to grow. They really welcomed us with open arms.”
A donated Farr 42 named Convictus Maximus allowed Wood to offer a more performance-oriented advanced training for more advanced students.
“The whole program is run on volunteer instructors and in-kind and cash donations.”
Soldiers turned sailors
Although sailing cannot replicate the intensity and responsibility of working with a team in combat, the communication and trust required of sailors is second nature to the veterans.
“These men and women make great sailors. One great thing about teaching these veterans is that they always want to know how to do it better so that they can go faster. There is no complacency. You really only need to show them how to do something once: a trait that comes from military training. They debrief after a regatta, each person weighing in. And they work really well within a team.”
After the clinics, Wood finds crews with which to place the veterans. He said placing them is easy, as they are now in high demand with many crewing in the Annapolis Yacht Club Wednesday Night Racing series.
Life-changing
Meagan Bryant found Valhalla Sailing, or actually, Wood found her through word of mouth, and she flourished.
“It’s been a lifesaver for me. Not only does it immerse me with like-minded people, but it feeds my competitive spirit in a dynamic team setting,” she said.
Bryant suffered multiple injuries during combat resulting in neck and head pain and five hip surgeries.
“It provided a sport for me. With my physical limitations, I had to stop playing sports I love. This organization allows me to compete again and be a part of a team.”
She is currently undergoing physical therapy for her most recent hip surgery and promised her therapist not to set foot on a boat until April.
“It’s going to be hard to not sail, but I want to get strong enough to work the bow next season.”
Wood said this kind of experience is common among participants. “Many come to me and say this saved their life.” For that reason, Wood is looking to expand the program and help out as many veterans as he can.
By Carrie Gentile
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