If you’ve ever stood at the edge of the ocean and stared out into the waves, you know the beauty, tranquility, and healing power of water. Our bodies are 97% water, so it’s no surprise the Earth’s waters call to us. This is the Live Water Foundation’s mission: to bring the healing power of water to the community.
Live Water Foundation, based in Annapolis, MD, is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit made up of paddle enthusiasts and community leaders. Brian Meyer, Kevin Haigis, and Chris “Goose” Norman—the team behind Capital SUP—founded Live Water Foundation in 2017. They aim to inspire and empower the people and organizations they work with through three main programs that improve the health, wellness, and environment of local communities.
- Wai Koa, which is a Hawaiian phrase that means “water warrior,” is an adaptive paddling program for physically and mentally disabled veterans.
- Junior Wai Koa is a swim and paddle program for underserved youth.
- Numerous environmental initiatives, including water monitoring, oyster gardening, and paddle cleanups.
“Every person has a different reason for being passionate about the water,” says co-founder Brian Meyer. “For me, it is where I go to work out, meditate, and think. Annapolis is a historic maritime city, and two million people come here every year for the water.”
While Meyer acknowledges that running an entirely volunteer-led organization is difficult, he also notes that it reflects the passion and commitment of the Live Water Foundation community. “Because we are 100% volunteer, the only reason we do this is to give back to the community,” he says.
Wai Koa, Live Water’s flagship program, works with organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project, Team Red, White and Blue, and local military hospitals. Between 300-400 veterans have come through Wai Koa to date. “Working with these veterans, hearing the stories of why they are missing a leg or an arm or why they have severe PTSD, then getting them on the water and seeing the joy they experience—it’s really special,” says Meyer.
The success of Wai Koa led to the development of Junior Wai Koa, a summer camp focusing on disadvantaged youth, many of whom have never been on the water before. The idea started when kids from the nearby public housing community were stealing out of the vending machines in the marina where Capital SUP operates. Live Water Foundation recognized the need for them to have something positive into which to pour their energy. Now, working in partnership with the Housing Authority of Annapolis, Live Water’s corps of volunteers—who range from paddlers and community residents to collegiate swimmers and Annapolis Naval Academy cadets—help kids build basic skills such as swimming and paddling.
“It’s crazy that many of these kids have never been on the water,” says Meyer. “Some of them don’t even know how to swim. Now they see a community investing in them, getting them on the water, and helping them feel like a true Annapolitan.”
Another aspect of the Junior Wai Koa program is getting youth involved in environmental initiatives, including trash cleanups and oyster growing, where they learn to give back to both the environment and their community. “We are giving these kids experiences they’ve never had before,” says Meyer. “A lot of them, their lives aren’t that great. Having something positive to participate in, they just grasp onto it. It’s incredible to see the joy on their faces. They want to keep doing it.”
Once participants (both adult and youth) complete the summer programs, Live Water Foundation encourages them to connect with other paddling and water sports communities, including those through Capital SUP, where they can engage in activities such as race training and on-water fitness.
As the summer kicks into high gear, Live Water Foundation is looking for volunteers, especially younger adults, to help create a new generation of water lovers. “We welcome anyone with paddle experience and who is interested in helping veterans and underserved youth,” says Meyer. “People come to us from different backgrounds, but they all have these things in common.”
Whether by donating financially or serving as a volunteer, Live Water Foundation wants people to get involved. “Live Water Foundation is an organization for the next generation,” Meyer concludes. “I’m a Millennial, and like me, a lot of people my age and younger are looking for ways to give back. As an organization, that’s what we do — we give back. Come join us!”
Sustainably,
Bobby Firestein
For our 2022 Ecoprint calendar, Protecting the Natural Beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, we have partnered with 13 different organizations, all dedicated to helping solve the environmental challenges in this important ecological hub. Live Water Foundation is our featured partner for the month of June. To get your own 2022 Ecoprint calendar, click the button below.