GUIDEPOSTS
Veterans’ Sea Kayak Resiliency Training
Spring & Fall 2024 Impact Report
In 2024, the Coastal Warriors program at the Coastal Expeditions Foundation welcomed two cohorts of veterans into the healing waters of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. This year’s Warriors ranged in age from 26 to 77 and represented a diverse array of service backgrounds: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
While their branches, stories, and experiences varied, they all came seeking something similar—connection, purpose, and a path toward resilience.
Led by Captain Chris Crolley and Madison Cantrell, with support from trauma specialists Dr. Liz Santa Ana, Jean Brooks, and Jonathan Kessler, the 12-week training was much more than learning to paddle a sea kayak. It was a journey of personal growth, vulnerability, and camaraderie.
Why They Showed Up
Before the program began, participants shared honest, heartfelt motivations for enrolling:
“To build relationships with people I can relate to and spend more time outdoors doing physical activity.”
“Learn better coping skills, learn a new skill, have another means of enjoying nature.”
“To continue this healthy life for my son.”
Some hoped to find tools for healing; others simply wanted to get out of the house. All were seeking something they couldn’t quite name—but found in the shared experience.
What They Took Away
Post-assessment reflections show just how powerful that experience became:
“You go into the program thinking it’s just paddling a kayak. In reality, it’s all the safety training, logistics, coursework, conversations, team building, and dirty work that facilitates the paddling that are invaluable… I learned that I needed this program more than I ever imagined.”
“To help someone else you must first save yourself. That goes for kayak rescue, but also life.”
“Biggest takeaway is I’m not alone and my feelings matter.”
Through the progression of technical skills, conservation education, and trust-building exercises, participants found more than self-reliance—they found community.
Real Change, Lasting Impact
The effects of the program rippled far beyond the shoreline. Many described noticeable changes in themselves and their relationships:
“Just thinking about what I was grateful for had a positive effect on me. I let my family and friends know when they ‘made the list.’ That would have been hard to imagine before the program.”
“I have more patience, a little hope again… I feel more relaxed in everyday activities.”
“Yes—they are all positive changes. I feel more centered and less bothered by inconsequential nuisances. I think I’m just happier, and that rubs off on the people around me.
“Feeling that I belong.”
The Favorite Moments
When asked what they loved most, their answers ranged from the quiet power of nature to the strength found in each other:
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“The challenge of the pool sessions—and the sense of accomplishment they gave me.”
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“Watching others overcome adversity in the pool and on the water.”
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“Getting to know everyone as individuals and being challenged to push myself with the support of others.”
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“This program was the best thing I’ve done for myself in at least 15 years.”
And the least favorite part?
“The drive home.”
“Saying ‘see you later’ after 12 weeks of new relationships.”
More Than a Program—A Lifeline
As one participant put it plainly:
“CW is life saving.”
The Coastal Warriors program continues to grow, with each new cohort shaping its evolving identity. What remains constant is its commitment: to offer veterans a pathway to healing through nature, community, and challenge.
