ASFs WIM Program Takes Nine US Veterans Kayaking

WINDHAM – After visiting three local lakes in three days, The Adaptive Sports Foundation concluded its Warriors in Motion® (WIM) kayaking event on Thursday afternoon.

The ASF welcomed nine wounded veterans and six volunteers to its lodge on Tuesday afternoon to kick off the three-day excursion with a group lunch, some basic instruction on operating a kayak and what to do if you’re kayaking in a storm. From there, the WIM participants boarded the ASF shuttle bus and made the short trip to Camp Oh-Neh-Tah in East Windham, where the foundation stores its water vessels. Once everyone picked a kayak, they launched into Silver Lake and paddled a little bit before lightning from the scattered storms in the area forced the group to shore. The warriors and volunteers returned to the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center to spend time together and play friendly games of cornhole. After the warriors left for the day to check into their hotels, the group met for dinner at the Windham Diner.

Wednesday’s weather cooperated, as the participants spent a full day kayaking at North South Lake in nearby Haines Falls. The warriors took in the serene environment as they launched their kayaks at the north beach and ventured across the two-lakes-in-one water feature to the other side. The group returned to shore for lunch before some participants hit the water once again, while others chose to stay on shore and soak in the summer sun. Once everyone had their fill, the ASF shuttle dropped the warriors off at their hotel to allow them to get ready for dinner at the ASF lodge, catered by Windham’s Main Street Market.

The final lake the WIM team visited was Colgate Lake in Jewett for a morning kayaking session. The group paddled, swam and spent some time around the lake for a couple of hours before returning to Windham for a barbecue lunch and to say goodbyes.

“I love participating in these programs with ASF,” U.S. Army veteran Alberto Corales-Santiago said. “Since I suffer from PTSD, these kinds of activities help me to cope much better with my disability. I feel more comfortable doing this rather than taking a pill.”

The ASF’s Warriors in Motion program provides participating injured United States servicemen and women with a basic knowledge and practice of wellness and the importance of lifelong healthy living. All WIM programs are goal-oriented and empower the warrior to take charge of their own fitness and wellness. The ASF will welcome another group of veterans next week when it hosts its WIM kayaking event.

Warriors in Motion is funded by donations that were generously given to the Adaptive Sports Foundation. Thanks to these donations, the Adaptive Sports Foundation will be able to provide equipment, water bottles, all meals, snacks, water, sports drinks, sunscreen, bug spray and ponchos (if necessary) for this upcoming event.

“I want to thank ASF and all of those people who help ASF help us veterans stay in one piece,” U.S. Army veteran Saul Rojas said. “Programs like these help me relieve all the pressure of my life. When I’m among all these veterans, it helps me to stay focused.”

If you’d like to donate to the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s Warriors in Motion program, or any of the other programs the ASF has to offer, visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org.