Since 2015, we’ve been rebuilding our Veterans sense of family, community, teamwork through sailing.

Our Story

The Founders, Michael Wood and James McGinnis, both disabled combat veterans and competitive sailors, have experienced first-hand the benefits of competitive sailboat racing in their own transition to civilian life. The demand for team coordination, integrated communication and reliance on your teammate that is required in successful one-design racing directly mirrors those same aspects of the veteran’s service whether as part of a Marine Corps or Army infantry team, a Navy boat crew or an Air Force aircraft crew. It is precisely this camaraderie and sense of belonging that many veterans describe as the thing they struggle to find after transitioning to civilian life.

Our Mission

Connecting wounded, disabled, and transitioning Veterans with one another and the larger sailing community through the sport of sailing to promote veteran well-being and address the issues surrounding veteran suicide.

What We've Achieved On the water

  • Since 2015, over 250 Veterans have participated in our learn to sail clinics.

  • Our clinic participants have gone on to race, cruise, and do deliveries on the East Coast and beyond.

  • In July 2020, we finished 2nd in Class in the EYC Boomerang Race, a 57-mile overnight distance race aboard our J/35 with a 75% Veteran crew.

  • During the summer of 2020, we competed in the Eastport Yacht Club Friday night series.

  • In 2018, we successfully competed in 3 distance races on the Chesapeake Bay with a 75% Veterans crew.

What We've Achieved On in our community

  • In 2019, we became certified as a Veteran Ready Organization by PsychArmor. Valhalla is one of two boating specific organizations nationwide.

  • We continue to be a supporter and beneficiary of the Hockey for Heroes Event, hosted by Navy Youth Hockey.

  • Supporter and participant in the Annapolis 9/11 Heroes Run held annually at the Naval Academy stadium to benefit the Travis Manion Foundation

  • Created one heck of a float for the 2020 Annapolis St. Paddy’s Day Parade.