Warriors on the Water: Veterans Programming the Community Boating Center

By Sara Welsh | Director of Strategic Development

Out on the water, something shifts. The constant background noise starts to quiet. Breathing slows. Focus returns. For many veterans and first responders, time in nature isn’t just a break from routine; it’s one of the few places where the mind can fully reset. At the Community Boating Center, that experience is the foundation of Warriors on the Water, a program built around the simple but powerful idea that healing can begin with fresh air, open water, and the space to just be.

What started in 2021 as a small volunteer-led sailing opportunity has grown in partnership with Growing Veterans and the Vet Center to support veterans and first responders through connection, skill-building, and time spent on the Salish Sea.

Today, the program offers two core experiences: sailing and kayaking. Both are intentionally designed to meet veterans and first responders where they are, whether they are looking to learn a new skill, challenge themselves, or simply spend time in a supportive community.

On sailing nights, participants step aboard keelboats with experienced instructors in a low-pressure, hands-on environment. With a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, each person has the chance to take the helm, trim sails, or simply sit back and feel the movement of the boat.

“Today was a special day, I will always remember it... I was nervous—new people, new surroundings. But Mike and Dirk saw that and helped me ease in,” remembered one participant. “I built confidence, learned to sail, and felt like I was part of a team again. The teamwork, the coaching, the kindness—it meant everything.”

Kayaking offers a different rhythm but the same intention. In small groups, guided at a 6:1 ratio, participants paddle along the shoreline, building confidence stroke by stroke. Some focus on technique and strength, while others take in the quiet, steady motion of the water.

“A little bit of time where my brain didn’t tell me to keep a constant scan for threats,” one veteran reflected. “A day on the water gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: calm.”

Both programs are designed to be accessible both monetarily and physically. With adaptive features for both paddling and sailing options, those who have been injured or need additional support are able fully participate in the program.  By removing these barriers, CBC ensures that the program remains open to anyone who needs it.

What makes Warriors on the Water effective isn’t just the activity, it is how each session is structured for veterans and first responders. Sailing and paddling require communication, coordination, and shared responsibility, familiar dynamics for many who have served. Everyone has a role, whether they are at the helm, trimming sails, or paddling alongside the group. That structure creates a low pressure way to reconnect with teamwork, rebuild trust, and engage at an individual pace while still being part of a crew.

CBC’s program is strengthened through partnerships with the Bellingham Vet Center and Growing Veterans, connecting participants to a broader network of support both on and off the water. Many veterans and first responders come in already doing the work of counseling or peer support, and this program offers a different setting to continue that process. Time on the water creates space to slow down, breathe, and reset—something that can be difficult to access in daily life. The focus isn’t on performance, but on the mental health benefits of being outdoors, where stress can ease and a sense of calm can return.

That approach is shared by Growing Veterans, an organization founded by combat veteran Christopher Brown and farmer Christina Wolf, who use farming as a way to support reintegration and well-being. Together, these programs create opportunities to engage with nature in meaningful ways, whether on the bay or on the farm. Throughout the season, that connection continues with gatherings like the end-of-summer BBQ, where participants are encouraged to bring their chosen family—friends, partners, and support networks—to share in the experience over food grown locally.

For those interested in getting involved, CBC’s Warriors on the Water program is open to all military service members, veterans and first responders of all backgrounds. Whether stepping onto a boat for the first time or returning to the water after years away, participants can find their place here. More information, including session details and registration options, can be found at boatingcenter.org/warriors.