In 2012, U.S. Army Ranger Carlos Poysky discovered something powerful, wind sports were more than adventure; they were freedom, movement, and healing all in one. After years of military service, Carlos recognized a truth many Veterans face: the transition home can be just as challenging as deployment. What he missed most wasn’t just the structure or the mission, it was the camaraderie, the feeling of being part of something larger than himself.

Carlos saw in wind sports a way to bring that back. He founded Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors (WS4WW) as a space where Veterans could find both physical challenge and emotional support. Out on the water, Veterans weren’t defined by their wounds, their actions or their past, they were defined by the rush of the wind, the pull of the sail, the laughter of their teammates, and the unspoken understanding that comes from shared experience.

From the very beginning, WS4WW’s mission has been simple yet profound: to empower Wounded Warriors through wind and water sports while recreating the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood that military life provided. Each retreat is more than a lesson, it’s therapy, connection, and a reminder of strength.

Through annual retreats and chapter-led events across the East Coast, WS4WW not only teaches these skills but also donates equipment and memberships so Veterans can continue to enjoy the sports and remain active in the community long after the retreat. Every moment on the water helps them reintegrate into civilian life, not in isolation, but within a vibrant, supportive community, one that feels like home again.