Healing effects of sailing
Team Paradise Veterans Sailing Program has competed successfully in the Columbus Day Regatta for several years. This is an annual event for us, but due to Covid, this year was shortened to a one day event and we were limited to one entry.
Team Paradise Veterans running with the wind!
“I have participated in the Columbus Day Regatta every year since 2016 with Team Paradise. Each year our veterans’ teams have placed and sometimes swept the top three places. It is a highlight for my training year and gives me focus to my sailing year round. I particularly enjoy getting on the water in a competitive environment with other veterans coming together as a team.”
“My physical pain and PTSD symptoms were non-existent while we were sailing, and the smile on my wife’s face was priceless, I can honestly say that this was a great day and that this event had a great effect on my health.”
Alfredo Guevera
My name is Alfredo Guevara, an Iraq war veteran, and a VA patient. I enjoy doing things with my wife, when my wife told me that we were going to join Team Paradise on their Columbus Day regatta, I was excited but a bit nervous, I’ve only been on a sail boat once before, and was just a passenger, not a participating crewmen. When I arrive, I felt a bit more comfortable as I spoke with Magnus and Captain Charles, then Duane arrived and my comfort level was elevated. Captain Charles put labels on the controls so we can feel comfortable with assisting them. We took off, and it was great, I helped with Port Jib and other things. We had some good conversations, told stories, my physical pain and PTSD symptoms were non existent while we were sailing, and the smile on my wife face was priceless, I can honestly say that this was a great day, and that this event had a great effect on my health. Thank you for the support.
“While we were racing at high rates of speed, working as a four-person team to control the sailboat I found myself awestruck and incessantly looking at nature in its purest form and its most profound and beautiful forms, being at sea and in nature always seems like it enhances my mindfulness and boosts my physical well-being.”
Team Paradise located at the US Sailing Center invited my husband, an Operation Iraqi Freedom, myself, an Operation Enduring Freedom veteran and another disabled combat veteran to participate in the Columbus Day Regatta in Coconut Grove, Florida. As a former Navy Sailor there is nothing more joyful than the sound and feel of ocean water. The lovely sound of thundering waves puts me into a deeply relaxed mind set. Although, we had some weather building on the horizon the sun came out and it made me feel so incredibly good. While we were racing at high rates of speed, working as a four person team to control the sailboat I found myself awestruck and incessantly looking at nature in its purest form and its most profound and beautiful forms, being at sea and in nature always seems like it enhances my mindfulness and boosts my physical well-being. Team Paradise allowed me a day away from my regular activities and daily struggles and it created a positive impact on my happiness. Thank-you Team Paradise! Lanita Oceanne Soleil