On Friday, wounded warriors and disabled veterans from across the nation hit the water at Bald Eagle Lake in Steamboat Springs for the Team River Runner National Kayak Football Tournament.

According to Team River Runner, a nonprofit group that serves disabled veterans with paddle-based activities, the organization introduced kayak football to its chapter system in 2009, giving the veterans a fun, fast-paced contest that combines elements of kayaking, football and ultimate frisbee.

The kayak football tournament in Steamboat Springs is one of a handful taking place across the U.S. this year, and it’s the product of a partnership between Team River Runner, the NFL Players Association and Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports, also known as STARS.

According to STARS Camps and Volunteer Manager Mac Finley, Team River Runner brought more than 50 veterans to Steamboat Springs for the kayak football tournament at Bald Eagle Lake. They came from as far away as Washington state, Minnesota and Florida, and the lineup includes three people who are blind and being assisted by guides who call out the locations of the ball and teammates for the blind competitors.

Others competitors in kayaks had lost limbs and suffered other injuries, but all seemed to be having a blast as they competed in Steamboat Springs on Friday.

“STARS, as much as we support the special needs and adaptive community in town, we really like to work with veterans,” Finley said.

For Finley, who is a veteran himself after serving in the U.S. Navy from 2013-16, watching the tournament is a beautiful sight because of the effect it has.

“Aw man, I see community-building,” Finley said as the tournament continued in front of him on Friday. “People are sharing experiences here, and I think that’s what friendship is — friendship is a bond made through shared experiences whether it’s as simple as a laugh or being able to participate in an event like this.”

The tournament began Friday and will continue Saturday with a pregame rally at 9 a.m. and more competitions from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, the tournament will wrap up with more games before a trophy presentation at 3:30 p.m., followed by team pictures and the closing ceremony.

STARS relies on donations and volunteers to perform its work bringing all different kinds of adaptive sports to the community. For more information about the local nonprofit and how to support it through donations or volunteerism, go to SteamboatStars.com/.

“Without the volunteers, we cannot do what we do,” Finley said before pausing for a moment. “I’m sorry. I’m just kind of smiling over what’s going on right now (with the kayak football tournament) — it’s cool.”