05/15/2026
✨ Friday Favourite with Jeff Arbing and Soldier On / Sans Limites✨
Kayaking means something different to all of us. Some enjoy a serene voyage on a sunny day, or the thrill of big water crashing around us and others want to venture out and explore this amazing country that we are so lucky to live in.
The reason I started kayaking was a little different. In my career as a police officer, I was part of many incidents that, shall we say, left a mark. Little psychological scars that hung around like an uninvited party guest that just won’t leave. I started kayaking when I was 40 years old and after a one-day orientation, the overwhelming thought that I had was “where the hell has this been all of my life?”!!
You can call it an obsession, a passion, or even a mission, but it is certainly way more than a mere hobby for me. It was a way to reconnect with my “Blue Mind”, that part of me that was always happiest when I was in, on, under or around water. It has been beyond therapeutic and that is why I kept pushing myself and became an instructor as a way to pass on this amazing experience.
A few years ago, “my brother from another mother”, Jeff Phaneuf called me up and told me about a volunteer event he was setting up with a group called “Soldier On”. He explained that it was an organization that helped struggling military veterans and asked if I would like volunteer my time and join this event. Without hesitation, I jumped at the chance!
Soldier On is an organization that sets up a variety of events for military veterans, many of whom are dealing with physical, emotional and psychological traumas they acquired helping to defend our nation. PTSD, cumulative stress trauma and physical injuries to name a few.
We arrived at Rondeau, along with our friend Chris McCarthy, and the morning of this event was somewhat quiet, the veterans seemed subdued. We did our best to turn this into just a fun outing on the water as opposed to a teaching day. We played games, joked, laughed jumped in the water and generally just tried to enjoy the day. Something really cool happened as the day progressed. Gone was the quiet, subdued demeanor and we saw a transformation as this group from varied backgrounds, started smiling, then laughing, joking and having a great time. It was about this time that the grey overcast day cleared out and sun came out. Really, it did……..you can’t make this stuff up. OK, well you can, but the sun really did come out!
I have to admit that Jeff, Chris and I were more than a little choked up when they presented us with Soldier On challenge coins as a recognition of our service to these veterans. Mine sits on my dresser and I look at it every morning. It reminds me of why I do what I do.
We have made some lasting friendships and Jeff has formed a great relationship with the regional coordinator. He has continued to set up events once or twice every year and we have the privilege and honour of introducing these brave men and women to the amazing sport of kayaking. This has been incredibly rewarding for me and I am grateful that Jeff has included me in all of these events. I also want to thank OSKC for donating the use of all the kayaks and gear for each of these events.
So, as I said earlier, kayaking can mean many things to many people. For me, it is working with people to move out of their comfort zones, overcome challenges, find a solid edge and paddle forward in life.
The Soldier On motto is “Adapt Overcome Soldier On”. This is an excellent way to approach challenges that we all may be struggling with in life.
This organization has assisted over 12,000 serving and veteran military personnel, adding positive activities in their lives. Many of these amazing people credit Soldier On with empowering them to adapt and re-integrate with local, community based activities to remain active for life!
If you would like to help these warriors in transition, you can donate to the organization and directly impact their lives;
https://www.soldieron.ca/Give-Support
Fair winds and following seas my friends. I hope to see you on the water.
