War Heroes on Water Announces Dates for 2025 Tournament: Sept. 19 - 23

World's largest non-profit sportfishing tournament helps combat-wounded veterans heal from their physical and emotional wounds

WHOW’s seven-year history of serving our nation’s heroes has:

• Raised more than $7 million for 501c3 partner Freedom Alliance
• Directly served 550 veterans on the water
• Supported thousands more veterans and their families through therapeutic services provided by Freedom Alliance
• Hosted more than 106 yachts with crews donated by the Southern California sportfishing community

Following the success of the seventh annual War Heroes on Water (WHOW) in 2024, organizers of the transformative sportfishing tournament that helps combat-wounded veterans recover from their physical and emotional wounds today announced the 2025 event will be held September 19-23 off the coast of Southern California. Veterans will experience the healing power of the open ocean and the thrill of team-based competition, all while reeling in big game catches and forging lasting connections.

The eighth annual tournament will build on last year's event, which saw more than 125 United States military veterans participate in the transformative three-day event, which included 50 of Southern California’s finest sportfishing vessels. The 2024 event also saw 357 returning and new corporate and private donors and sponsors who care about our veterans and want to play a role in changing—and saving—lives. Each year, many of the participating veterans are recipients of our nation’s highest military decorations, including the Silver Star and Bronze Star medals, and the Purple Heart.

"Each year, WHOW brings together an extraordinary community of supporters to honor and uplift our nation’s veterans who have sacrificed so much for our freedom,” said WHOW Founder Anthony Hsieh. “From the WHOW fleet to our incredible volunteers, sponsors, and donors, this event creates a family that changes lives and stands by our heroes long after the tournament ends. I’m looking forward to another amazing year of showing our veterans the care and appreciation they have earned and deserve."

WHOW was founded by Hsieh in 2018. Throughout its seven-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 550 veterans on the water and, via Freedom Alliance, raise more than $7 million to support thousands more through the organization’s year-round therapeutic services and scholarships for combat-wounded service members and their families.

"Our partnership with WHOW has provided tremendous support to our mission, and to the veterans we serve at Freedom Alliance,” said Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. “This tournament provides a unique opportunity for our heroes to find healing and hope, thanks to the incredible generosity of the WHOW community. Every year, from the volunteers to the locals in Newport Beach and Catalina, we witness a profound expression of patriotism and support, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings."

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.

"Each year at WHOW, the Southern California sportfishing community comes together with incredible passion and generosity, forming an enduring family that grows stronger with every event,” said WHOW Tournament Director Rod Halperin. “Together, we honor the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes and make a profound impact on their lives. There’s truly no greater cause than supporting our veterans.”

Money raised from WHOW serves combat-wounded veterans and their families throughout the year through Freedom Alliance programs that support the rehabilitation needs of wounded service members, combat veterans, and military families.

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250117014039/en/

"Each year, WHOW brings together an extraordinary community of supporters to honor and uplift our nation’s veterans who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.”