Warrior Sailing Cup
The Warrior Sailing Cup will offer an opportunity for Veteran sailors to race against other Veteran sailors from around the globe as a way to raise awareness of the sport and to create a lasting legacy program in Canada.
In partnership with international sailing programs, we aim to develop a unique new competition, hosting a Warrior Sailing Cup in Canada, inviting at least three nations to participate. The Warrior Sailing Cup will offer an opportunity for Veteran sailors to race against other Veteran sailors from around the globe as a way to raise awareness of the sport and to create a lasting legacy program in Canada. This also will provide an opportunity for Canadians to participate and engage with Veterans on their journeys of recovery. The aim of the Cup is to be able to grow interest in adaptive sailing with the military community across Canada.
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See the Warrior Sailing Cup results here.
Navy Lieutenant Retired Scott Reynolds and his wife Jen founded Saltwater Veterans, with a vision to foster a Veteran community connected "on, in and around Water." Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project facilitates free activities for veterans around Australia. This year he's competing as part of Team AUS as part of Warrior Sailing Cup. Scott joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1998 as a Maritime Warfare Officer. During his time in the military, he served in Iraq, in both operational service roles border protection operations on multiple ships. He later qualified as a Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer. In 2016, he was medically discharged in February, having served for 18 years. Scott also competed at Invictus Games Sydney 2018 and The Hague in 2022.
CWO (Ret'd) Thaddeus (Ted) Poper joined the CAF in 1981 as an Air Frame Technician, eventually progressing to Aviation Tech, Aviation Superintendent and finally as a Squadron Chief Warrant Officer. During his time in the military, Ted served with the MFO in the Sinai desert Egypt, the UN in Honduras and Nicaragua, NATO in Germany, on HMCS CALGARY for Op Apollo, and in many other country operations and postings prior to retirement in 2017. Ted currently volunteers as a Foundation Board member for the National Air Force Museum of Canada (NAFMC), and with Quilts of Valour Canada Society. He is also the Provincial Director of Good Sam Camping Ontario.
Warrant Officer Class Two Kirsten Funston Retired enlisted into the Australian Army at the age of 17, serving within the supply and resource management environments. During her career she was deployed to Afghanistan and multiple other international engagements. In February 2022, at the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two, she was medically separated following 30 years of service. At various stages throughout her career she competed in multiple ADF Triathlons, represented the Army and the ADF in soccer and cricket, and later as an umpire for ADF cricket.
Matty Brumby joined The Royal Australian Navy when he was 16, serving at HMAS Albatross before his first Sea posting onboard HMAS Newcastle. During the process of becoming Clearance Diver, he was injured and medically released following an accident that paralysed him from T6 vertebrae down. He was 22 years old. In 2018 he was very proud to be named the Co-Captain of the Australian Team for the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games, where he was fortunate enough to come away with 5 Gold medals! With this momentum he finished 1st in the Ironman World Championships in Kona.
1992 Robert Konter went to the Sinai Egypt to become the Dutch contingent commander, ranked as an Army Captain. There he survived an attack by a local extremist and after 23 years of pain in 2015 his right leg was amputated. Thanks to the Invictus Games in The Hague in April 2022, he and his family learned that there always is a way ahead, a light at the end of the tunnel. The Invictus Games showed him the impact sports can have on his journey of recovery and rehabilitation. Robert wants to show the world that there is more to him than his wheelchair and protheses. Currently, Robert lives with his wife and two kids.
Warrant Officer (Retired) Walter Galant joined the Infantry Reserves in Brampton at the age of 17 and eventually went into the regular force as Armoured, with postings in Germany and Petawawa. After a few years, he remustered to a Topographic Surveyor in Ottawa (Engineer Branch), providing mapping and charting services to the Forces. With them he had tours in Croatia/Bosnia and Kosovo, and a posting to Ft. Bragg, NC from where he deployed to Afghanistan. He ended his 28 year military career with three years in the Engineer Reserves, while continuing employment another 14 years with National Defence as a civilian. In 2019, he retired and now lives in Ottawa with his wife Christine, and his son and daughter.
Warrant Officer (Retired) Joanne Bradley proudly served Canada for 21 years. During her time in army, Joanne enjoyed working with recruits to help them grow into the soldiers that they had the potential to become. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she has looked to exercise to help her feel better. Eager to develop her swimming abilities, she competed in swimming at the Invictus Games 2020 and she hopes to continue to swim regularly after the event to improve her physical and mental health. Joanne also participated in an Invictus Endeavours expedition in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco this year.
Natalie Lela Madeline Pye-Keenan (Retired) served in the Canadian Army as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator with postings in Gagetown, Borden, and Petawawa. Her career highlights include being a VIP driver for various dignitaries, including a royal visit. Learning how to live with life-changing disabilities has been hard on Natalie’s mental and physical wellbeing, as well as on her family. It has been a steep learning curve to adjust to her new limitations and feelings of having been forgotten by the CAF. Natalie competed at the Invictus Games 2020 in swimming, rowing sprint (1 min) and wheelchair basketball.
Master Warrant Officer Tim Turner is a 23 year Veteran who served with 2 Commando, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the Canadian Forces Parachute Team “The Sky Hawks.” Tim was a Master Sniper and Military Freefaller who has Served in Cyprus, Croatia, Afghanistan, Middle East and West Africa. He has been married for 37 years. He is an active Skydive Instructor and BASE Jumper. He and his wife are sea Kayakers who just recently completed their Basic Cruising course with Sail Canada.
Warrant Officer (Retired) Ryan Mitchell CD, served 18 1/2 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. He served with three Units over the course of his Military career; The Queens York Rangers, 1st American, 12e RBC and The Sherbrooke Hussars. Ryan was deployed with NATO as a member of ROTO 14 to the Balkans Operation in 2004 as a member of a Quick Reaction Force Coyote Commander with a Recon Squadron. Ryan retired from the Armed Forces as a Warrant Officer. Ryan says sailing has provided him with solace during the difficult years of the pandemic. “With Covid it’s been a dark few years and has certainly affected my PTSD and depression/anxiety. Being back on the water will really positively impact my social life and mental health.”
Esther Frijlink joined the army and was deployed during the UN mission to Bosnia She did two tours as a driver with the Airmobile Brigade. Esther developed PTSD from her time spent in Yugoslavia. In 2018 I was selected to participate in the Invictus Games in Sydney. Among other things, it helped her accept her own limits and learned to stay in the present. Esther has a service dog, which helps her reduce her stress so that she can better cope with crowds. Esther is a proud mother and volunteer.
Edwin is a Veteran of the Dutch Royal Airforce, medically release in 2001 following a trauma that ended his career in the military. After almost 9 years of rehabilitation, he found a new meaning in life through sports. He started with wheelchair tennis and para rowing and has competed in three Invictus Games. In Sydney 2018, he was part of the Dutch sailing team Edwin works at the Gilze-Rijen air base as a sports assistant and is married to Suzanne with two daughters: Iris and Sophie.
Captain Patterson served as an engineer in test operations and space launch in support of US Space Command's mission to deliver space combat power and defend US vital interests. After retiring from injuries sustained during service, she initially struggled to successfully recover and transition to civilian life. Warrior Sailing has provided an opportunity to meet other veterans experiencing similarly difficult transitions, experience a sport that simultaneously offers technical and strategic detail as well as quiet stillness, and find a home base where intimate teamwork, humor, and trust build a lifelong family. "I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Warrior Cup and excited to experience all of the above with our allied veteran and sailing partners."
Pete is a US Army veteran with 14 years served in the Special Forces Regiment as a Special Forces Medic and then Warrant Officer. He deployed twice to Afghanistan where he worked with soldiers from a variety of nations, especially England, Canada, the Netherlands and Australia. He was injured during his second tour. He found Warrior Sailing five years later, soon after I left the Army. Since then, sailing has been a big part of his process to recovery. Sailing is able to bring me back to a place of shared hardship in the midst of shared purpose, just like I experienced in the military. I’m really looking forward to being around fellow veterans from around the world at the Warrior Cup and putting my sailing skills to the test against them!
Jeffery joined the US Army in 1992 as a Communications Specialist and Paratrooper landing in the 82nd Airborne Division. Nine deployments, including NATO peace keeping enforces to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Kosovo, and two combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq, and 25 years of service later he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. Since moving to Maryland in 2013, he has continued to sail. In 2019 he join Warrior Sailing and is looking forward to having the opportunity to meet the Warriors representing their respective countries will be a remarkable and memorable experience.
Meagan Bryant is a retired US Army - Lt. Colonel. Apache helicopter and King Air pilot. She has had 3 deployments and worked as an intelligence officer for 10 years. She began sailing in 2018 at Charleston Race Week and became hooked. She joined Warrior Sailing in 2019. She is excited to sail with Warriors again and take part in an historical inaugural regatta while meeting and competing against other incredible Warrior representing other countries!
Sammy joined the US Army in 2001. He dropped Airborne and was stationed at Ft. Bragg. His first deployment was in 2003-2004. He reclassify to a Civil Affairs Specialist Stationed and had his second deployment in 2007 where he was injured by an IED. Sammy spent over 2 years recovering from his injuries, which left below knee amputation. After his in-hospital rehabilitation was complete and he was medical retired he participated in the Warrior Games 2011-2014, competing in seated volleyball, handcycle, seated shot put, seated discus, and wheelchair basketball. Sammy finds being back out on the water is where he found a lot of joy.
In partnership with the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, this years’ event will be in coordination with their forthcoming Canada’s Cup racing series taking place on Lake Ontario during 2-4 September 2022. This will be the inaugural ‘Warrior Sailing Cup’ and our hope would be to leverage the opportunity to promote the wider use of sailing across Canada (and beyond) in the recovery pathway for ill and injured Veterans. Members from the RCYC will lead on the event logistics and provide all boats.
August 30 – September 2, 2022
Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto, ON
Canada, USA, Australia, The Netherlands
We are honoured to have the teams from the Netherlands and Australia supported by the Invictus Games Foundation.
Following True Patriot Love’s successful bid to bring the Invictus Games back to Canada in Vancouver in 2025, the Warrior Sailing Cup will continue to focus on using sport in recovery and healing for ill and injured Veterans. Sponsoring the event will increase your brand awareness amongst the military community and beyond.The True Patriot Love Disbursement Advisory Committee is appointed to provide expertise and national representation for insight on areas of need and programming to benefit the Canadian military community. The Disbursement Advisory Committee is composed of representatives from the military, academia, government and the community.
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces stepped up and supported us on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and took a lead role in the vaccine rollout. Be part of a unique experience that shows your support and honours their service.
Any program or service that is already offered or funded by the government (to find out what governmental services, programs and funding you may be eligible for, please visit Canadian National Defence or Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, for regular and reservist members of the Canadian Forces, or Veterans Affairs Canada, for Veterans)
Involve members of your organization by giving them the opportunity to sail during a practice run with the competing athletes or meet the athletes in person during our meet and greet dinner. Hear their stories directly from them and watch first-hand how adaptive sailing has assisted in their recovery.
In recognition of this sponsorship, True Patriot Love is pleased to offer the following benefits:
ACTIVATION OPPORTUNITIES
- A unique opportunity to support one military athlete participant in this life changing event. Follow their journey and hear first-hand about their unique experience enroute to the Warrior Sailing Cup
- Corporate engagement opportunity; a chance to take part in a practice run and sail with one participating Nation
- Branding on team race boats
- Invitation for four (4) to the Warrior Sailing Cup dinner event on September 1st, 2022 at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club
- Opportunity to host sponsored an athlete for a speaking engagement. (Subject to availability. Costs associated with hosting to be covered by Sponsor)
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
- Logo recognition during key Warrior Sailing Cup events.
- Logo recognition on the True Patriot Love event webpage with link to company website
- Mention in True Patriot Love marketing and communication materials
- Recognition in True Patriot Loves e-newsletter about the event
In recognition of this sponsorship, True Patriot Love is pleased to offer the following benefits:
ACTIVATION OPPORTUNITIES
- Invitation for two (2) to the Warrior Sailing Cup dinner event on September 1st, 2022 at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club
- Opportunity to host one of the participating athletes for a speaking engagement. (Subject to availability. Costs associated with hosting to be covered by Sponsor)
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
- Logo recognition during key Warrior Sailing Cup events.
- Logo recognition on the True Patriot Love event webpage with link to company website
- Mention in True Patriot Love marketing and communication materials
- Recognition in True Patriot Loves e-newsletter about the event