On September 20-22, the Kuluar travel club ran a three-day “Power of Water” program on the Dniester. The participants were 13 veterans accompanied by two team leaders, also veterans. The program was initiated by Maksym Chubyk, a military psychologist. Together with him, Dmytro Sandul confidently led the group on the water.
The program became the water “sister” of the “Power of Mountains” initiative and focused on recovery by alternating rhythmic paddling with the quiet of campsites. The schedule was built around daytime descents and stops for rest and conversation. Maksym Chubyk created a safe space for dialogue — without pressure or “formal exercises,” and with respect for each person’s pace. Dmytro Sandul provided navigation and a sense of control on the water so participants could focus on what mattered most — their own state, thoughts, and mutual support.
Three-person kayaks were used for the trip. This choice allowed veterans with upper-limb amputations or shoulder-girdle limitations to sit comfortably in the middle seat and remain full members of the crew.
According to participants, the water “cleansed” their thoughts, and the steady rhythm of the strokes calmed them better than pills. Quiet conversations at the bivouacs helped voice what often remained unspoken. The most valuable thing, they said, was feeling a shoulder beside them: when you don’t need to explain your pain — it’s understood anyway.
The memories didn’t disappear; the scars remain. But something important emerged — the sense that life goes on. That there is still much light and beauty in it. The Dniester keeps flowing. The river continues its course without asking permission. We, too, move forward — but no longer alone. We know there is a place to regain strength. There are people who understand without words. There is water that washes the soul just as it does the body.
Kuluar extends its gratitude to all the veterans for their trust, and to the team leaders for their sensitivity and professionalism.