Nation’s largest non-profit sportfishing tournament helps combat-wounded veterans heal from the physical and emotional wounds of battle 100 veterans anticipated to reel in incredible catches on 48 of the West Coast’s finest sportfishing yachts
WHOW’s six-year history of serving our nation’s heroes has:
- Raised more than $6 million via 501c3 partner Freedom Alliance
- Directly served 425 veterans on the water
- Supported thousands more veterans and their families through therapeutic services provided by Freedom Alliance
- Included more than 92 yachts with crews donated by the SoCal sportfishing community
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#FreedomAlliance–Following the success of the sixth annual War Heroes on Water (WHOW) in 2023 – organizers of the transformative sportfishing tournament that helps combat-wounded veterans recover from the physical and emotional wounds of battle – today announced the 2024 event will be held September 20-24 off the coast of Southern California. Participating veterans will harness the healing powers of the ocean and the thrill of team-based competition to reel in thousands of pounds of fish, including some incredible big game catches.
The 2024 WHOW will build off last year’s successful event, which saw more than 100 United States Military veterans, many of whom have received our nation’s highest military decorations, including the Silver Star and Bronze Star medals, and the Purple Heart, participate in the transformative three-day event, which included 48 of Southern California’s finest sportfishing vessels. The 2023 event also saw 379 returning and new corporate and private donors and sponsors who care about our veterans and understand how this tournament is changing—and saving—lives.
“WHOW continues to change and save the lives of veterans, who have selflessly sacrificed so much for our country,” said WHOW Founder Anthony Hsieh. “Every year, the community comes together in an incredible show of support – from the WHOW fleet to our volunteers, sponsors and donors, everyone becomes family and forms a lifelong support system for our nation’s heroes. I can’t wait to bring everyone together again to show our veterans the love and support they need and deserve.”
WHOW was founded by Hsieh in 2018. Throughout its six-year history, the generous support of the WHOW family—including the fleet, corporate sponsors, and individual donors and volunteers—has enabled the tournament to directly serve 425 veterans on the water and, via Freedom Alliance, raise more than $6 million to support thousands more through the organization’s year-round therapeutic services and scholarships for combat-wounded service members and their families.
“Freedom Alliance is dedicated to serving combat-wounded veterans and their families, and through our partnership with WHOW, we’ve been able to expand our reach and allow our heroes to heal through this powerful event,” said Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. “I’m always amazed at the support we receive from the community, from all of the volunteers – to the locals in Newport Beach and Catalina who show up for our heroes, putting true patriotism on display. Freedom Alliance is proud of all that WHOW accomplishes, and we look forward to another impactful year.”
At the heart of WHOW are dozens of participants and volunteers, including the owners, captains and crews of the WHOW fleet, who, collectively, represent a monetary donation of hundreds of thousands of dollars—as well as hundreds of hours—to host the veterans for the three-day on-water component of the tournament. Each year, the prowess of SoCal’s finest anglers takes center stage as teams share knowledge of the local waters and expert fishing techniques to get their veterans on fish.
“There is no greater sportfishing tournament in the world than WHOW, and there is no greater cause than supporting the heroes who have sacrificed so much for our freedom,” said WHOW Tournament Director Rod Halperin. “Year after year, the SoCal sportfishing community rallies around our veterans both on the water and off – we’ve created a family with lifelong bonds that strengthen and grow with every tournament.”
Money raised from WHOW serves combat-wounded veterans and their families throughout the year through Freedom Alliance’s programs, which include outdoor recreational therapy trips, donations such as cars and all-terrain wheelchairs, and college scholarships for the children of military heroes killed or disabled in service.
To learn more and make a tax-deductible donation to this event or to join the amazing WHOW fleet, please visit www.warheroesonwater.com.
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 country’s 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.
Contacts
Kaelyn Leger
Kaelyn@warheroesonwater.com
