Rowing for Purpose: How Courser Racing Supports Veteran Transition
USC Center for Sales Success
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In honor of Veteran’s Day, the USC Center for Sales Success is proud to highlight the important work of Courser Racing a nonprofit organization based in South Carolina, dedicated to helping veterans transition to civilian life through a unique approach: ocean rowing expeditions
The organization's mission is to provide veterans with a unified purpose through rowing. By participating in ocean rowing expeditions, veterans can find a new sense of purpose and direction as they transition to civilian life.
But why rowing? Per Courser's Founders Chris Farrington and Blake Sufferling , "Ocean Rowing, like deploying to combat, requires teamwork, grit, efficient communication, fitness, risk mitigation, and intensive planning to succeed."
Recently, we had the opportunity to interview Chris and Blake to learn more about their groundbreaking work. Read about their background and military service.
Consider making a donation 🎗️ to support their important work. [Donate here]🔗
Describe your company's mission and how you came to work with Beth Renninger at USC’s Center for Sales Success.
Courser Racing provides ocean rowing expeditions and career transition support to veterans exiting the military following a career of service. It takes veterans, puts them on a team, and trains them before life-changing Ocean Rowing Expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean.
Beth Renninger and Blake Sufferling met in Charleston, SC, through a mutual friend and became fast friends. They connected over their love of Charleston, nature, and helping others.
What qualities and values are important to you in growing your company? What kind of culture do you have?
Humble, hungry, and smart. Those are our “permission to play” values and must-haves for you to walk through the door for an interview to work in our organization or row with us.
An underlying requirement for us is transparency in communication (mining for conflict). We do this by constantly demanding candor and addressing disagreements head-on. We have a culture where our members are able to be their authentic selves, a culture where the continuance of personal growth to support our communities and families is paramount.
How many people work at your company, and what roles do they take on?
Right now, we have four people employed at Courser Racing. Pete handles individual donor relations, social media, and marketing and manages the P+L. Jamie manages Courser’s corporate sponsorships and communication and is essentially our Development Director. Chris manages the organization’s ocean rowing readiness/ training requirements and is responsible for event coordination and execution. Blake oversees 501c3 compliance, Atlantic rowing coordination, and vessel readiness.
We have a culture where our members are able to be their authentic selves, a culture where the continuance of personal growth to support our communities and families is paramount.
Advice for students joining the professional fold?
Be yourself always and everywhere. Surround yourself with people who care about you. And if you’re just starting your career - don’t cut corners. Outwork everyone else.
What upcoming projects and initiatives are in the works with CSS and CSI?
The Team at CSS and Courser Racing have begun to iterate on an event that will help Courser Racing gain awareness and funding for its upcoming 2025 trans-Pacific Ocean Rowing Expedition as a Team competing in “the World's Toughest Row.” This race will serve as the first trans-Pacific crossing for Courser racing. It will begin in Monterey, CA, and terminate in Hanalei Bay, HI. It will consist of 2,800 miles of the Pacific Ocean.
If there is one KEY thing you would like to convey about the work that Courser does and its impact, what is it?
Transitioning out of the military is very nuanced and challenging for many. The founders of Courser Racing were and are Special Operators who witnessed their peers taking their lives and wanted to create a non-profit with a longer-term approach to transition support that addressed underlying issues. Ocean Rowing, like deploying to combat, requires teamwork, grit, efficient communication, fitness, risk mitigation, and intensive planning to succeed.
Courser Racing is proud of its work to help our veterans heal and transition to life’s next mission.
To keep this going, we need your support through monetary donations and connections with veterans—every donation and connection helps. 👇
Act now: Donations and inquiries can be made at courserracing.org. 🚣
Thank you so much for your service to our country and for continuing to support our military through your work.
👉 Follow Courser Racing on Instagram.
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