Learn to Sail this Summer
Sailing is both a calming, serene experience and a test of “man-against-nature.” There are technical skills and subtle observations to be learned. Learning these allows a human to propel a boat across water, and back, using only the forces of nature. Sailing is an ancient endeavor that connects in ways the person standing on shore cannot appreciate, unless that person has mastered the wind personally.
A paraplegic veteran uses “puff” instructions to control this adaptive sailboat built for WM S.A.I.L.
Like riding a bike, once you learn how to sail, you never forget. WM S.A.I.L. volunteers are all avid sailors who are dedicated to teaching this ancient skill to veterans.
To provide our veterans experiencing PTSD, traumatic brain injury, physical handicaps, depression and other health and life challenges, West Michigan S. A. I. L. provides a team focused, nature inspired, confidence building sailing program. Their goal is to promote a program that facilitates self-discovery, an atmosphere of camaraderie, a sense of accomplishment, inner strength, self-sufficiency and sustainability in a seven-county area of Western Michigan.
The seven-counties they currently serve are: Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Osceola Counties.
The specific objectives and purpose of this organization is:
· To provide sailing instruction as an affiliated school of US Sailing
o To rebuild the camaraderie for veterans, which may have been lost since leaving active duty, by partnering each veteran with a unit of two or three other veterans
o To assist veterans in developing positive peer relationships, thereby improving self-esteem and leadership skills, while gaining sailing and other skills such as First Aid and CPR certification
o To allow the veterans to work toward becoming peer mentors for future participants in the program
• Once the Veterans complete the class, WM S.A.I.L. makes sailboats available, at no cost, to these units to continue to build their skills and their camaraderie;
• Ultimately, the camaraderie of these units will help reduce the number of veteran suicides in general, and hopefully achieve zero suicides in our seven-county service area.
Visit the West Michigan S.A.I.L. website to learn more and to register.
Cover photo credit: Vidar Nordli Mathisen