I am a medical doctor with depression and PTSD as a result of domestic violence. Resilience Sailing was recommended to me through a former participant who had a similar history as me. I have been sailing weekly with Aaron Goldwater of Resilience sailing and his crew for several months. I have found Aaron Goldwater and his crew to be professional, courteous, respectful and understanding. The group is bolstered by Aarons strong leadership, his hands-on approach and lived experience. I believe the Resilience sailing concept to be an innovative approach to helping those with a history of trauma or depression. From my own experience, Resilience sailing has had a noticeable affect by reducing my symptoms of PTSD and depression and by improving my confidence. In addition, it has allowed me to build a supportive social network with Aaron and his crew and other trauma survivors. A major Queensland university, University of Southern Queensland, has partnered with Resilience sailing to analyse participant data. I would highly recommend Aaron Goldwater and Resilience sailing to anyone with a history of trauma or depression as an adjunct to conventional treatment modalities.

I met Pauline Potter on a PTSD forum on Facebook back in 2015. Pauline joined the group as a result of the trauma associated with the premature death of her late husband and the aftermath. We chatted and obviously PTSD started us talking. Pauline purchased a pub in Western Victoria and was shortly thereafter brutally attacked and spent some time in hospital recovering from the physical scars but the mental scars remained.. Pauline continued to struggle with significant mental health issues resulting from her brutal attack and in mid 2018 I convinced her that working with me in Resilience Sailing would help her. We had been discussing this for some time. Pauline took over some of the administration and fundraising functions that I am far from the best with. She successfully applied for charity status for Resilience Sailing even when she was having health issues. Once she had finalised the charity status she followed through on DGR and getting all the “t’s” crossed and “I’s” dotted. It is thanks to Pauline and her Resilience that we have moved forward in many ways. Pauline is a crucial part of our team and my sounding board and a huge advocate and Ambassador for what is possible and for Resilience Sailing. Please note – I am only writing this because much of this triggers Pauline and would not be good for her health.

Through Resilience sailing it has helped me to be inspired by the beauty of nature and provided a new network of support which is stripped when escaping domestic violence. Traditional support (social worker or psychologist), can not provide the sense of belonging which is extended through the program. It has taught me new skills which I hope to improve on; sailing renews a sense of capability which often is stripped through domestic violence. Through serendipity it removes the isolation of PTSD as you are with other survivors. The beauty of being on the water is a meditative state as you are in the moment with support. I am personally left with an elated sense of state at the joy and peace it brings me even days after being out on the water. I can’t speak highly enough of the program and I do hope it can be available to more survivors so they too can experience the benefits that I have been gifted as a direct result of Resilience Sailing.