[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”5px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
by Connor Marion <\/span>|\u00a0<\/span>Febuary 6th, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.usmmasailingfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_3131-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_3131″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Miguel \u201cMigs\u201d is a Marine veteran whose path into sailing grew from a long-standing connection to the water. Before ever stepping onto a sailboat, he spent his time paddle boarding, surfing, and finding joy being on the water. That connection led him to sailing in 2016, and by late 2018, to Warrior Sailing.<\/span><\/p>\n Miguel entered the program through Warrior Sailing\u2019s three-day basic training, followed by ASA 101 and 103 certifications. What started as an introduction quickly became a passion. Not long after completing the program, he began crewing on a Tripp 38 named <\/span>Warrior<\/span><\/i>, owned by Grant Dumas in St. Petersburg. The boat was a dominant presence on the racecourse, earning Boat of the Year honors six years in a row \u2014 with Miguel sailing aboard for four of those seasons. Racing at that level gave him significant experience, sharpened his skills, and deepened his understanding of performance on the water.<\/span><\/p>\n His experience proved to be a valuable asset and as he learned, he was able to bestow knowledge and the passion for sailing onto others. Miguel was invited to help coach and assist with Warrior Sailing classes, working directly with newly graduated veterans from the basic training program. Since 2019, he has also volunteered annually with adaptive sailing events organized by the sailing center for local youth. These opportunities have been meaningful on a personal level. Miguel lives with multiple disabilities and medical conditions, and sailing has played a significant role in helping him work through both physical and mental challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the most impactful moments of Miguel\u2019s sailing journey came in 2020 during a Warrior Sailing event in Miami aboard the 64-foot Farr \u201c<\/span>Chessie Racing\u201d<\/span><\/i>. At the time, he was unknowingly managing an autoimmune disorder. During the event, he became severely seasick, and by the following day experienced renal failure. While it was a serious and challenging experience, it ultimately reinforced how important sailing was to him. Even in the face of physical adversity, his connection to the sport remained strong. Rather than pushing him away, the experience strengthened his resolve to continue sailing, reminding him of the resilience, adaptability, and mental toughness that have guided him throughout his life.<\/span><\/p>\n Miguel often talks about the difference between sailing in protected waters and sailing offshore. \u201cThey\u2019re two totally different things,\u201d he says. Offshore racing, particularly under ORC conditions, tests endurance and willpower in a way that few other experiences do. While he hasn\u2019t yet had as many open-ocean opportunities as he would like, the challenge is what draws him in. For him, offshore sailing is \u201clike going to war with nature,\u201d requiring constant awareness, resilience, and adaptation.<\/span><\/p>\n The most valuable part of Warrior Sailing for Miguel, however, isn\u2019t the racing \u2014 it\u2019s the people. Sailing alongside veterans ranging from the Vietnam era through today has fostered a wonderful blend of camaraderie and teamwork regardless of generation. Despite differences in age and background, Warrior Sailing provides a supportive environment where veterans can work through personal adversity, reflect on past experiences, and take meaningful steps forward alongside others who understand. Many of the struggles are shared, and that connection is what Miguel finds most compelling about the program.<\/span><\/p>\n One moment stands out as a clear example of how Warrior Sailing\u2019s camaraderie extends far beyond the boat. In 2022, through the program, Miguel traveled to Charleston for Charleston Race Week with a fellow veteran named John, a former fighter pilot. Leading up to the regatta, Miguel helped train John in mid-mast and bow positions, spending long hours working together on and off the water. During that time, John shared some health struggles that sounded familiar to Miguel. Recognizing the symptoms from his own experience with hypothyroidism, Miguel encouraged him to see a doctor after the regatta. John was later diagnosed with stage one thyroid cancer and stage one lung cancer. The cancer was removed, and he is now in remission and improving. John shared \u201cThe moment may have saved my life, had he not encouraged me to go see an endocrinologist, I am not sure how things would’ve ended up for me. I plan to live a long time and am sailing again as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Miguel reflects \u201cAs service members, we tend to put off any weakness or symptoms we may be having, myself included. But it took my body giving out before realizing I needed help. I try to encourage others not to wait too long as they experience signs and symptoms.\u201d Moments like this reflect the deeper role Warrior Sailing plays \u2014 not just as a sailing program, but as a support network where veterans look out for one another, share hard-earned experience, and make a real impact in each other\u2019s lives beyond competition.<\/span><\/p>\n Warrior Sailing has also helped Miguel step outside of the veteran-only world he once found difficult to navigate. Through sailing, he\u2019s been able to connect with a broader community, attend more events, meet new people, and grow more comfortable engaging beyond strictly veteran spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n Miguel served as a Marine for six years and seven months, entering the service roughly six months after September 11, 2001, and serving from February 2002 until 2008. Afterward, he spent ten years as a contractor and later worked as a Tampa police officer for about three years. Reflecting on his military service, he credits it with shaping how he approaches life. One lesson, in particular, has stayed with him: <\/span>Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome<\/span><\/i>. It\u2019s a mindset he applies everywhere, and one he sees constantly reinforced in sailing. As he puts it, if you don\u2019t adapt to your surroundings, to the conditions, and to nature itself, you won\u2019t get the speed \u2014 or get where you need to go.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On & Off the Water: Miguel Migs\u2019 Journey Through Warrior Sailing by Connor Marion |\u00a0Febuary 6th, 2026Miguel \u201cMigs\u201d is a Marine veteran whose path into sailing grew from a long-standing connection to the water. Before ever stepping onto a sailboat, he spent his time paddle boarding, surfing, and finding joy being on the water. That […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":9794,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-where-are-they-now"],"yoast_head":"\n