HELL OR HIGH SEAS follows U.S. Navy veteran and Skeleton Crew Adventures’ founder, Taylor Grieger, and writer Stephen O’Shea as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime — sailing around Cape Horn, the world’s most treacherous ocean waters. The documentary is a moving portrait of a veteran using his own painful journey with PTSD to find healing for himself, and pave a smoother path for veterans returning to civilian life. From director Glenn Holsten, producer Chayne Gregg and executive producer Robert Irvine, HELL OR HIGH SEAS is an adventure film with a deep, universal message about perseverance and hope.
How It All Started:
What We’re About:
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At Skeleton Crew Adventures, we are dedicated to providing a transformative healing experience for veterans and first responders living with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). Our mission is to offer these individuals the opportunity to embark on a journey of healing at sea, utilizing research-driven methods rooted in adventure therapy (AT).
Since 2016, our founder, Taylor Grieger, and team has led hundreds of sailing expeditions and provided in-person PTS seminars to over 3,000 active military and veterans. We currently operate out of Kemah, Texas, where we provide day-sail opportunities and overnight offshore sailing missions along the Texas coast.
Taking our mission globally, in 2023, our veteran crew was the only boat representing the United States in The Ocean Globe Race.
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We understand the unique challenges faced by veterans and first responders who have experienced trauma in the line of duty. Often, the invisible scars of PTS can impact every aspect of their lives, hindering their ability to fully engage with the world around them. At Skeleton Crew Adventures we believe in, and have first hand experience with, the healing power of the sea and the therapeutic benefits of adventure therapy. Our purpose is to provide a supportive environment where individuals can confront their trauma, learn coping mechanisms and ultimately reclaim their lives.
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Adventure Therapy (AT) is a proven therapy that utilizes nature, exercise and teamwork to accomplish a specific goal. Skeleton Crew Adventures pushes this concept further by leading members through the physically and mentally challenging tasks of harnessing the power of the wind, water and each other to sail a vessel. By immersing themselves in the challenges and rewards of life at sea, members can develop resilience, build confidence and cultivate a sense of purpose. Our comprehensive approach not only teaches sailing but also promotes well-being and recovery, leveraging the natural world's restorative effects. It's a unique blend of adventure, adjunct therapy and skill-building, designed to foster resilience and personal growth in a supportive group setting.
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At Skeleton Crew Adventures we are dedicated to employing a research-driven approach to post traumatic growth. Our programs are grounded in findings from psychology, neuroscience and adventure therapy. We collaborate with experienced professionals to craft programs that are not only effective but also specifically catered to the individual needs of our members. By seamlessly blending therapeutic practices with the adventurous spirit of the sea, we offer a holistic approach to healing.
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Central to our mission is the creation of a supportive community where members can connect with their peers who understand their experiences. Through shared challenges and shared triumphs, individuals forge bonds that extend beyond the confines of the voyage, providing ongoing support and camaraderie long after they return to shore.