Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernie Saboe.
Bernie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2012, U.S. Army Ranger Carlos Poysky discovered something powerful, wind sports were more than adventure; they were freedom, movement, and healing all in one. After years of military service, Carlos recognized a truth many Veterans face: the transition home can be just as challenging as deployment. What he missed most wasn’t just the structure or the mission, it was the camaraderie, the feeling of being part of something larger than himself.
Carlos saw in wind sports a way to bring that back. He founded Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors (WS4WW) as a space where Veterans could find both physical challenge and emotional support. Out on the water, Veterans weren’t defined by their wounds, their actions or their past, they were defined by the rush of the wind, the pull of the sail, the laughter of their teammates, and the unspoken understanding that comes from shared experience.
From the very beginning, WS4WW’s mission has been simple yet profound: to empower Wounded Warriors through wind and water sports while recreating the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood that military life provided. Each retreat is more than a lesson, it’s therapy, connection, and a reminder of strength.
Through annual retreats and chapter-led events across the East Coast, WS4WW not only teaches these skills but also donates equipment and memberships so Veterans can continue to enjoy the sports and remain active in the community long after the retreat. Every moment on the water helps them reintegrate into civilian life, not in isolation, but within a vibrant, supportive community, one that feels like home again.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In late 2019. our national leadership was lacking several positions, putting us in a position that we operated in an ad hoc fashion. We desperately needed a CFO to maintain our finances, and after over a year in office, the CEO retired. WS4WW most needed a new CEO and CFO. We also needed someone who is solely responsible for recruiting beneficiaries as well as someone responsible for administrative duties. It would have been nice if we had a position specifically created for fundraising as well. At the time, Carlos believed this would be the minimum staff we needed to continue operating independently. He was exploring alternatives for the future of WS4WW and sent an email to all the volunteers for their input.
So what choices did we have?
1) We attempt to continue operating as an individual organization?
2) We dissolve the organization and apply the funds to one or more Veteran’s organizations
3) We allow ws4ww to be absorbed by Special Operations Wounded Warriors and continue providing our services as volunteers under their flag.
In early 2020, Bernie, the Gulf Coast Chapter President, was traveling down the east coast on personal business, and decided to drop in on Carlos, at St Simons Island, GA. They met for a beer and Bernie implored Carlos to keep the program running under our own flag. Carlos agreed to be the CEO under one condition; Bernie was to serve as the COO! And with that mutual agreement, WS4WW breathed new life into the nonprofit.
After serving 5 years in this capacity, with fantastic retreats, Carlos and Bernie passed on the leadership baton to new officers this year. This summer, we welcomed former WS4WW Veteran beneficiary, Jessica Antia as CEO, retreat volunteer, Phil Legere as COO, Tommara Ladson as CFO, and Nichoel James as Marketing and Media Relations Director. The new leadership energy further ignited the enthusiasm for the organization. The all-volunteer team is stoked to see their fresh approach already taking shape.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Army Veteran Carlos Poysky served in the 1st Ranger Battalion as an Airborne Ranger before receiving an honorable discharge and continuing a career in public service. Carlos witnessed firsthand the lasting effects of military service on his fellow veterans, especially the self-isolation that can come after leaving the uniform behind.
The idea for Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors (WS4WW) was born from that understanding. After a fellow Ranger created a similar nonprofit that helped veterans reconnect and open up, Carlos was inspired to do the same, centered around his passion for kiteboarding. He saw how the sport’s one-on-one coaching naturally builds trust, communication, and connection — exactly what many combat veterans struggle to find in civilian life. Kiteboarding became more than a sport; it became a bridge between the military and the world beyond it.
What began as Carlos teaching veterans individually has now grown into multiple retreats across several East Coast chapters, helping countless wounded warriors find healing, camaraderie, and renewed purpose through wind and water. Carlos remains steadfast in his belief that growth should never come at the cost of connection. His mission is to ensure that every retreat remains personal and impactful — a place where every veteran feels seen, supported, and empowered to carry those experiences, relationships, and new skills far beyond the retreats.
For Carlos, WS4WW isn’t about numbers. It’s about cultivating an experience that brings combat veterans out of isolation, fostering connections with those around them and providing an outlet to open up and share experiences.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding a trusted mentor or coach requires deliberate networking with people that are willing to share their experiences to help others succeed. First, you need to look inward at your current state and determine the areas for development. Start with your strengths and leverage these abilities in ways you may not have considered in the past. Then look beyond your current social network and discover new connections in other areas of interest.
Don’t be afraid to ‘ask for help’ in personal and professional development. Start exploring fresh perspectives to old problems that you may not have considered, Once you find someone willing to listen to your aspirations, mature that relationship by continued conversations that offer actions you might implement.
It’s not enough to have a vision for your future, you have to be able to articulate those aspirations to others, so they can best offer guidance to move in that direction.
Informal networking is a great way to start. But once you make strong connections with a mentor, invest in that relationship. The trust needed in a mentor/mentee relationship requires being honest with yourself first and not letting your ego get in the way of life long learning.
Pricing:
- 501(c)3 nonprofit; Donations are appreciated
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ws4ww.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windsportsforwoundedwarriors/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WS4WW
- Youtube: @WindSportsforWoundedWarriors
