World’s largest non-profit sportfishing tournament splashes into SoCal waters September 20-24

To date, the tournament has served our nation’s heroes by:

• Raising more than $6 million to date for 501c3 partner Freedom Alliance
• Directly serving 425 veterans on the water
• Supporting thousands more veterans through money raised

This weekend, 125 United States Military veterans will join members of Southern California’s sportfishing community for the seventh annual War Heroes on Water (WHOW) sportfishing tournament. This unique tournament, which includes two full on-water days of sportfishing, has become a beloved event within the SoCal sportfishing community, enabling locals to share their love of the sport and the Pacific Ocean with combat-wounded veterans from across the country.

“This tournament was forged from a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by our nation’s greatest heroes—our combat-wounded veterans,” said WHOW Tournament Founder Anthony Hsieh. “The Southern California sportfishing community has embraced our heroes and, for seven straight years, opened their hearts to help bring healing to these great men and women, establishing a lasting foundation of support that endures well beyond the events of this momentous weekend.”

This year’s tournament officially begins on Sat., Sept. 21 at 4:30pm PT with the WHOW fleet assembling for opening ceremonies in Newport Basin. At 5pm PT the fleet—comprised of 50 of the best sportfishing yachts, crews and anglers in Southern California—will line up in formation for a patriotic boat parade through Newport Harbor before dispersing for the on-water tournament action. The Orange County Sheriff Department’s Honor Guard will kick off the parade with a rendition of the National Anthem. The public is welcome and encouraged to join WHOW tournament volunteers and sponsors along the parade route to honor the sacrifices made by these brave men and women. The parade route, which includes many easily accessible public viewing areas on land or in the water, can be found here.

“The WHOW tournament could not take place without the profound generosity of our yacht owners, who not only host our veterans, but also provide the angling expertise, crews and hospitality that make this event a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” shared WHOW Tournament Director Rod Halperin. “We are truly blessed to hold a special place in the hearts of the SoCal sportfishing community—and beyond.”

Many members of the WHOW fleet are multi-time participants, and a select few have been an integral part of every tournament staged to date. For the yacht owners, captains and crews, the event leaves an indelible mark on their hearts.

Said David DuBois, a WHOW founding member and owner of the yacht Bull Pen, “WHOW will change your life. This isn’t so much about winning, but about the entire experience that the tournament delivers. It’s something you have to experience, being on the water with people who have never had the opportunity to do anything like this before.”

And, although winning is not necessarily the primary motivation to participate, the WHOW fleet and their crews work hard to make the most of the on-water fishing experience. Once the vessels depart Newport Harbor, the competition begins in earnest, with each boat engaging their most competitive strategies to help get their veterans to the winners’ podium. The veterans receive coaching and fishing guidance throughout the weekend from the fleet’s talented crews. Most important, the time spent on the open ocean creates a therapeutic environment that enables fellow team members to establish deep bonds that will extend well past the final fish weigh-in.

The tournament concludes at 4pm on Mon., Sept. 23 with on-water closing ceremonies held just outside Avalon Harbor. The ceremonies will include a stunning flyover by the Tiger Squadron’s vintage WWII aircrafts. Following the closing ceremonies, the teams will gather on Catalina Island’s iconic Green Pier to weigh big catches and celebrate the weekend. The tournament formally concludes with a private awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Irvine on Tues., Sept. 24.

Behind the scenes, dozens of on- and off-site volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that the tournament’s festivities are filled with the memorable touches that the veterans and participants have come to cherish. The generous support of the WHOW family, including fleet, corporate sponsors and individual donors and volunteers has enabled the tournament to directly serve more than 425 veterans on the water and raise more than $6 million to support thousands more through Freedom Alliance’s year-round programs that support the rehabilitation needs of wounded service members, combat veterans, and military families.

“This tournament has continuously exceeded our expectations,” added Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. “The enthusiasm and generosity of the Southern California sportfishing community and Southern California and Catalina residents is unparalleled. We remain humbled and honored to be a benefactor, knowing how much good it enables us to do for our veteran community.”

About War Heroes on Water

War Heroes on Water (WHOW) is an annual sportfishing tournament of unprecedented scale that supports combat-wounded veterans’ programs. It was created in 2018 by loanDepot Founder and Chairman Anthony Hsieh, who is also the owner and leader of Team Bad Company, a world-class, record-holding competitive sportfishing fleet. Through Hsieh's deep connections with the Southern California sportfishing and business communities, WHOW has grown exponentially and is now the largest non-profit sportfishing tournament in the US.

Additional information, including photos and videos from past tournaments, may be found at www.warheroesonwater.com | Instagram: @warheroesonwater | Facebook: www.facebook.com/WarHeroesonWater | YouTube: War Heroes on Water Fishing Tournament

About Freedom Alliance

Freedom Alliance is a charitable organization which provides help and support to wounded troops and military families. Freedom Alliance has awarded more than $25 million in college scholarships to the children of military heroes killed or disabled in military service and has spent millions more helping injured veterans and military families with outdoor recreational therapy trips, Heroes Vacations, care packages for deployed troops, mortgage-free homes, all-terrain wheelchairs and much more. To learn more, visit www.FreedomAlliance.org or Facebook.com/FreedomAlliance.

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“This tournament was forged from a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by our nation’s greatest heroes—our combat-wounded veterans.”