Following a patriotic send-off, 125 combat-wounded veterans began a two-day fishing competition led by SoCal’s top anglers

125 combat-wounded veterans embarked on the sportfishing adventure of a lifetime as they set out from Newport Harbor Saturday evening to participate in the eighth annual War Heroes on Water (WHOW) sportfishing tournament. Harnessing the healing powers of the ocean, the transformative five-day event features two full days of action off the coast of Southern California, helping veterans recover from the physical and emotional wounds of combat with the creation of deep and meaningful relationships forged through the thrill of a world-class sportfishing competition.

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125 combat-wounded veterans embarked on the sportfishing adventure of a lifetime as they set out from Newport Harbor Saturday evening to participate in the eighth annual War Heroes on Water (WHOW) sportfishing tournament. Harnessing the healing powers of the ocean, the transformative five-day event features two full days of action off the coast of Southern California, helping veterans recover from the physical and emotional wounds of combat with the creation of deep and meaningful relationships forged through the thrill of a world-class sportfishing competition.

Including this year’s event, the tournament has brought more than 675 veterans, many of whom have been honored with the nation’s highest military decorations including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, to Southern California to experience the renowned fishing and scenic beauty of the Pacific Ocean. WHOW, the largest nonprofit sportfishing tournament in the world dedicated to veterans, enables them to spend time getting to know one another, along with their captains and crews, as they fish, heal and create lifelong bonds.

“The biggest piece of WHOW is the community,” said Army veteran and four-time WHOW participant John Moore. “Each year, getting together with new and returning vets and the community is just absolutely incredible – from the crews that come out here to support us to the vets who participate, it’s awesome.”

The tournament began with an intimate welcome reception, where veterans received a hero’s welcome as they gathered with captains, crews and supporters. WHOW Founder Anthony Hsieh and Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon addressed supporters, sharing inspiring words about our nation’s heroes.

“I’m just blown away by the support from all of you – I really am,” said Hsieh. “When we started this eight years ago, we knew it would grow into something meaningful, and your support truly touches our veterans’ inner souls – I feel that from each and every one of them. I hope each of you takes the opportunity to have a conversation with these incredible men and women who helped build this great country we’re so fortunate to live in.

“I also can’t go without thanking our 60 yacht owners. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

Kilgannon said, “This is an amazing event that changes and saves lives. You are an impactful part of this event, and we can’t thank you enough for your friendship, your support, your generosity, and your hospitality. At Freedom Alliance, we’re able to do so much because of your support – from providing new homes, vehicles, and wheelchairs to combat veterans, to awarding college scholarships to the sons and daughters of American heroes. So, I thank you – because every one of you here is an important part of this program.

“We’re going to take care of America’s heroes. We’re going to do it right. We’re going to get them out on the water!”

The Mayor of Newport Beach, Joe Stapleton, also joined the festivities, issuing a proclamation on behalf of the city recognizing and commending War Heroes on Water for “their incredible work in serving our nation's veterans.”

The day’s events included a silent auction, which was brought to life by generous volunteers and donors, generating close to $350,000. This brings the total raised this year to $1.2 million and the total raised since inception to more than $8 million via charity partner Freedom Alliance, which provides year-round programs that support the rehabilitation needs of wounded service members, combat veterans, and military families.

“This is my favorite day,” said WHOW Tournament Director Rod Halperin. “This is a wonderful experience – not just for our veterans, but also for our yacht crews, our sponsors, and our donors. We thank each and every one of you for everything you’ve done. It’s so special to be here in Newport Beach for such a meaningful tournament.

“Our crews can’t wait. The fishing is pretty good right now, and we’re all really excited to get out there. We love Freedom Alliance. We love our veterans. We love our country. And we love War Heroes on Water!”

At the conclusion of the welcome reception, the fleet – comprised of more than 60 yachts generously donated by the SoCal community, with 50 of the area’s top sportfishing vessels, captains, and crews competing – lined up in formation for a patriotic boat parade through Newport Harbor before dispersing for the on-water tournament action. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard kicked off the parade with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem as the local community lined the banks of the harbor to show their appreciation for the sacrifices made by these special veteran heroes.

Once beyond the waters of Newport Harbor, the official tournament action began. In the following days, the sportfishing skills of each vessel’s captains and crews are put on display as they apply their knowledge of the local waters to help their veterans catch local fish species, including halibut, yellowtail, and yellowfin and bluefin tuna.

The fishing concludes on Monday, September 22 with on-water closing ceremonies just outside Avalon Harbor, featuring a stunning flyover by the Tiger Squadron’s vintage WWII aircraft as the WHOW fleet lines up. The teams then gather on Catalina Island’s iconic Green Pier to weigh their big catches and celebrate the weekend. Catalina locals are encouraged to join the celebration on the pier beginning at 5:00 p.m. – and the festivities will be livestreamed HERE.

The tournament formally concludes with a private and emotional awards ceremony on Tuesday, September 23, where veterans reunite with their captains and crews to celebrate their accomplishments alongside yacht owners and fellow participants.

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 CEO 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 country’s sportfishing and business communities, WHOW has grown exponentially and is now the largest nonprofit 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 $30 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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"When we started this eight years ago, we knew it would grow into something meaningful, and your support truly touches our veterans’ inner souls – I feel that from each and every one of them."