Honoring Our Veterans: How Swimming Supports Recovery and Renewal

For many veterans, recovery doesn’t end when they come home. Whether facing physical injuries, chronic pain, or invisible wounds like anxiety and post-traumatic stress, the path to healing can be long and complex. But one timeless source of relief and renewal lies right in the water.

Swimming and aquatic therapy have become lifelines for countless veterans — helping them rebuild strength, regain mobility, and rediscover peace of mind. Beyond the physical benefits, swimming provides a safe, supportive space where veterans can connect, heal, and find new purpose.

Water has an incredible ability to support, soothe, and strengthen. For veterans recovering from combat-related injuries or long-term physical strain, swimming offers a unique combination of low-impact movement and full-body exercise.

• Gentle on joints, powerful for strength: Buoyancy relieves pressure on the body, making exercise accessible even for those with mobility limitations or prosthetics.

• Rebuilding function and endurance: Water resistance improves cardiovascular fitness and muscle tone — vital for veterans recovering from surgery, injury, or neurological conditions.

• Pain and inflammation relief: Warm-water therapy can help ease chronic pain while improving circulation and flexibility.

• Safety and control: In the pool, veterans can move freely without fear of falling, which builds confidence in movement and body awareness.

“When I’m in the water, I’m free. It’s the one place my body doesn’t hurt.”
— U.S. Army veteran, participant in a VA Aquatic Therapy Program

While the physical gains are powerful, many veterans find that swimming’s greatest impact happens in the mind.

Swimming’s steady rhythm, controlled breathing, and immersion in water mirror the principles of mindfulness and meditation — providing calm and clarity. Studies show that aquatic therapy can significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, helping veterans regulate stress and sleep better.

The water becomes a sanctuary: a place where intrusive thoughts fade and focus returns.

• Mind-body reconnection: Swimming encourages awareness of breath and movement — a grounding tool for those dealing with trauma.

• Confidence and mastery: Learning or re-learning to swim fosters a sense of progress and control.

• Community: Group classes or adaptive swim programs foster belonging and peer support — a vital counter to isolation many veterans experience after service.

“In the pool, I found calm for my mind and purpose for my body again.”
— Marine Corps veteran and swim therapy participant

Few stories capture the healing power of swimming like that of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Elizabeth “Ellie” Marks. After sustaining life-changing injuries while serving as a combat medic in Iraq, Ellie turned to swimming as part of her rehabilitation — and found more than recovery. She discovered resilience, community, and a renewed sense of purpose in the water.

Her journey from the military to the Paralympic podium is a testament to the strength and spirit of veterans everywhere — and a powerful reminder of how swimming can transform both body and mind.

U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks embodies courage, resilience, and the healing power of the water. After suffering severe hip injuries while serving as a combat medic in Iraq, Marks turned to swimming as part of her recovery — and discovered a new purpose.

Her dedication led her from rehabilitation pools to the Paralympic Games, where she became a gold-medal swimmer and an inspiring advocate for adaptive athletes and veterans everywhere. Marks has also been recognized with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for her extraordinary strength and advocacy.

“The water saved me. It gave me back my freedom.” — Elizabeth Marks

🎥 Watch her story: From combat medic to Paralympian: What drives Ellie Marks?
Catch it now on our Swimmer Spotlight YouTube playlist.

Her journey reminds us that swimming isn’t just a sport — it’s a source of recovery, resilience, and renewal for those who’ve sacrificed so much.

Swim clubs and organizations have a powerful opportunity to make a difference. Here are a few simple ways to start:

1. Host a “Veterans Swim Night.” Open your pool to veterans and families for free or reduced-rate sessions.

2. Create adaptive swim lanes. Offer accessible entry options, flotation aids, or modified workouts for veterans with disabilities.

3. Partner locally. Collaborate with community centers, recreation departments, or VA-affiliated aquatic programs to promote inclusivity.

4. Share stories. Celebrate veteran swimmers and coaches who exemplify resilience and teamwork.

5. Train your coaches. Offer education on trauma-informed coaching and adaptive swimming techniques.

6. Foster belonging. Build programs that connect veterans with swim communities year-round — not just on Veterans Day.

If you’re a veteran interested in using swimming as part of your recovery journey, you’re not alone — and there are many ways to begin.

Check with your local community pool, YMCA, recreation center, or VA medical facility to ask about adaptive swim programs, aquatic therapy, or veteran swim classes. Many offer specialized sessions designed to support both physical rehabilitation and mental wellness.

You can also explore veteran service organizations or adaptive sports groups in your area that include swimming as part of their wellness offerings.

Wherever you begin, the water can be a place of strength, healing, and connection.

Swimming gives veterans a place to move, to breathe, and to belong. It’s more than therapy — it’s transformation.

At SwimTopia, we believe every pool can be a place of inclusion, wellness, and renewal. Whether through competition, recreation, or recovery, the water welcomes everyone — and no one knows resilience like our veterans.

• To our veterans: Thank you for your service.
• To our swim communities: Let’s honor them — one lap, one lane, one shared story at a time.