(KSWB) - Veteran Sailing, a nonprofit founded by Marine Corps veteran Brian Forristal, is providing veterans and active duty military with a therapeutic outlet on the waters off Harbor Island and San Diego Bay. The organization, which began with just a couple dozen participants, has rapidly expanded to involve hundreds of veterans in just one year. Veterans Sailing offers a unique opportunity for veterans to connect with nature and each other, helping them transition from military to civilian life. "I'm really out here just to help other veterans who I know might be going through a hard time with grief or with transitioning out of the military or just trying to find their place because I know it's tough," said Brian Forristal, the founder of Veteran Sailing. Navy veteran Don Rock, who works as a sailing instructor for the nonprofit, explained, "Every time you go sailing, you're experiencing something just a little bit different, whether it's the strength of the wind or currents or how big the seas are." Army veteran Nate Nash shared his experience, stating, "After the Army, sailing has probably been the most therapeutic thing for me. Being out on the water, once you leave the dock, just the noise of the world goes away." Veteran Sailing has received significant support from the community, including contributions from Veterans Thrift Store, which have enabled the organization to expand its events from monthly to weekly. The nonprofit not only provides sailing adventures but also sponsors veterans to obtain sailing certifications, further empowering them and building their capabilities. Participants, regardless of their military background, find camaraderie and a sense of teamwork on the water, reminiscent of their time in service. As Veteran Sailing continues to grow, it aims to reach even more veterans and service members, offering them a chance to heal, connect, and find purpose on the open water. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published