Recovering warrior program at CRAB

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) hosted its biennial Recovering Warrior Sailing Regatta on September 19, 2026 bringing together recovering warriors, U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen and CRAB volunteers for a day of competitive sailing, camaraderie and fun on Chesapeake Bay. The morning started with Joel McCord playing the National Anthem on his trumpet followed by a resounding cannon fire. With beautiful weather and winds beginning around 8–10 knots in the morning before gradually diminishing, six teams took to the water aboard CRAB’s Beneteau First 22A sailboats. The Bay had numerous races underway from Thomas Point Lighthouse to the Bay Bridge.

Each CRAB team paired a guest warrior with two USNA Midshipmen (Plebes), a CRAB skipper, and a CRAB crew member. The warriors were responsible for the tiller with an accomplished team tending the sheets. Teamwork was at an all-time high as the winds slowly decreased, and every tack or sail adjustment made a difference in boat position. The regatta featured three twenty-five-minute races.

Top Three Finishers
1st: Tony Chapman (Warrior), sailing with USNA Midshipmen Henry Sparks and Abbey Hurst, CRAB skipper Michael Manuzak and CRAB crew Mark Freedman.
2nd: Michelle A. Rice Trotter (Warrior), sailing with USNA Midshipmen Kat Mazaroski and Noah Jackson, CRAB skipper Dillon Hale and CRAB crew Bob Hyan.
3rd: Brendan Huff (Warrior) finished third, sailing with USNA Midshipmen Bleu Strnad and Logan Downey, CRAB skipper Jeff West and CRAB crew Danny Rick.

Warrior Lisa Harvin was awarded the Spirit Award in recognition of her enthusiasm the moment she arrived at the CRAB ABC and out on the water. Following the racing, sailors returned to the CRAB Adaptive Boating Center for lunch provided by Mission BBQ and a medal ceremony celebrating the winners and all warriors.

The Recovering Warrior Sailing Regatta started in 2012 and has included the USNA Sailing Team for the past several years. CRAB’s mission is to make sailing accessible for everyone while providing opportunities for recovering warriors to experience the freedom, challenge, and camaraderie of sailing on Chesapeake Bay.

Details: crabsailing.org