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About

War Heroes on Water serves one profound purpose:

To create human connections that matter

War Heroes on Water Changes Lives

The WHOW tournament was established in 2018 by legendary sportfisherman Anthony Hsieh as a way to honor and help initiate healing for our Veteran heroes upon their return home from service. Since that first tournament, WHOW has directly served more than 425 Veterans on the water, and thousands more through funds raised to support our philanthropic partner, Freedom Alliance.

More important than raising money, the WHOW tournament itself saves lives. Statistics show that 17 Veterans take their lives each day due to the struggles faced after service. Many of our WHOW Veterans have shared with us that, because of the love and support they feel through the WHOW tournament, and their ongoing connection with Anthony and the WHOW family throughout the year, we have saved lives.

After experiencing the tournament, our WHOW Veterans tell their buddies that there is an entire community that loves and cares for them as well, which gives Veterans the power and spirit to continue onward toward purpose and healing.

”"The challenges faced by many of our nation’s heroes as they transition back to civilian life are real, and suicide rates are unacceptably high. The WHOW Tournament makes a difference by forging meaningful human connections—between the Veterans themselves, with our fleet captains and crews, and with the entire WHOW family—that replicate the brotherhood and sisterhood of the battlefield and serve as an enduring safety net of love and support."

Anthony HsiehTournament Founder

Our Mission

To raise awareness of the challenges our Veterans face after their military tours are complete.

To establish lifelong bonds between the Veterans themselves, with our fleet captains and crews, and with the entire WHOW family.

To create robust fundraising channels that support Veteran therapeutic services throughout the year.
Marcus M. Fishing

WHOW Impact

Now in its ninth year, WHOW has raised over $8 million since our first tournament in 2018.

These funds have supported more than 650 Veterans with on-the-water healing and thousands more with year-round therapeutic services provided through our charitable partner, Freedom Alliance.

  • More than 650 Veterans hosted with thousands more supported through year-round therapeutic services.
  • $8 million raised since tournament inception.
  • Thousands of volunteer hours clocked.

Watch WHOW Veteran Stories

Past Events

View our video series from past events, learning from veterans how the War Heroes on Water Tournament experience has impacted their lives and furthered their hero journey, how the captains and owners of the War Heroes on Water fleet are changed by the experience, and how our partners make all of this possible.