WHOW Magazine Premier Issue

PREMIERE ISSUE

Veteran Spotlight: Drew Mewes

Together We Can Make a Difference Spotlight on Joint Venture 2020 Reunion Tournament Recap

ANNOUNCING

THE WHOW 2021 TOURNAMENT DATES

OCTOBER 1-5, 2021

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES...

TABLE OF CONTENTS 04

Welcome to WHOW Magazine

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Veteran Spotlight: Drew Mewes Together We Can Make a Difference

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Fleet Spotlight: Joint Venture It’s About Seeing the Smiles on Our Vets’ Faces

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Rod on the Water: The Many Joys of WHOW

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WHOW 2020 Reunion Tournament Recap

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WHOW Winners

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WHOW 2021: Let’s Go!

WELCOME TO WHOW MAGAZINE Back in 2017, I took seven veterans out for a weekend of sportfishing.

I was honored and excited to be able to share my love of the ocean and big game fishing with these true American heroes. We planned an exceptional trip, enjoying the outstanding fishing off the waters of Cabo San Lucas.

But, as the weekend came to a close, after spending many hours with these heroic men listening to the battles they had faced, both in person and upon returning home, I realized that the weekend, while special, was just the beginning. Before we had returned home, I was already working through ideas that could further help our combat-wounded veteran community. By the time we landed, War Heroes on Water was born.

A lot has happened in three short years. We’ve hosted more than 100 veterans. We’ve raised more than $1M. And, despite a global pandemic— and with an enormous abundance of caution and safety protocols in place—we were able to host 30 returning veterans for a reunion Tournament this year. It’s an impressive start.

But, again, I’m having that same thought: We have to do more for our combat-wounded veterans.

And that is why, for 2021, our goal is to host 100 veterans and raise $1M. It’s ambitious. It’s unprecedented. But, you can’t do big things without big dreams.

I also came to the realization that the best way to keep you—and your families and friends—up to date with what is happening with War Heroes on Water throughout the year is to create a magazine. Welcome to WHOW, our new magazine that is designed to showcase the stories you haven’t heard. Stories from the hearts of our veterans; from our captains and crews; from our communities and from our volunteers.

I believe that when you hear all of these voices, you’ll get a better sense of the impact that this event has on everyone involved, and why it’s so important for it continue, and, more so, for it to grow and thrive.

I hope you enjoy our premiere edition, and that you will become a part of the WHOW family, joining us as we embark on this exciting adventure. It’s going to be one for the history books.

Until our next issue – Anthony 4

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VETERANSPOTLIGHT: SPOTLIGHT: VETERAN

TOGETHER, WE TOGETHER, WE MAKE CANCAN MAKE A A DIFFERENCE DIFFERENCE

“This year’s Tournament is the most “This year’s is year, the most ‘normal’ thingTournament I’ve done this and it‘normal’ thing I’vesodone this” year, andMewes it has been so has been healing.

– Drew healing.” – Drew Mewes For WHOW DrewDrew Mewes,Mewes, the 2020the Reunion Tournament For WHOWVeteran Veteran 2020 Reunion was a welcome from respite the isolation by thecreated global Tournament wasrespite a welcome from created the isolation COVID-19 from the Midwest, selfby the globalpandemic.

COVID-19Traveling pandemic.

Traveling from thethis Midwest, proclaimed “land-locked” former army former artilleryman looked forward this self-proclaimed “land-locked” army artilleryman to seeing the ocean, smelling the ocean breeze, but mostbreeze, of all, looked forward to seeing the ocean, smelling the ocean reconnecting with the new friends he’d new madefriends during he’d the made prior but most of all, reconnecting with the two Tournaments. during the prior two Tournaments.

“I’moriginally originally from from southern “I’m southernIllinois, Illinois,and andnow nowI Ilive liveininOhio, Ohio,soso comingto toCalifornia California is is aacompletely completely different different world. coming world.I Ialso alsodon’t don’t knowaalot lotabout aboutsportfishing, sportfishing, so so the the weekend weekend is aa little little different know different entirely for for me,” me,” Drew entirely Drewexplains. explains.

Notbeing being native native to to fishing fishing makes makes earning earning the Not the Ron Ron Ashimine Ashimine award,bestowed bestowed upon upon the the Tournament’s Tournament’s top award, topangler, angler,that thatmuch much morecherished. cherished. “Achieving this year waswas thethe result of more “Achievingthat thataward award this year result teamwork,” sayssays Drew.

“My time on board Sea Horse ofexceptional exceptional teamwork,” Drew. was nothing short of amazing. Captain Jason (Greyshock) and the entire crew so supportive helpful to me and Soto during “My time onwere board Sea Horseand was nothing short of amazing. our time Jason on the water.”

Captain (Greyshock) and the entire crew were so supportive and helpful to me and Soto during our time on the water.”

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Now that the Tournament ended, Drew has had a lot of time to reflect on the impact of the event and what it means to him for the years to come.

The 2020 Reunion Tournament was Drew’s third WHOW experience. Each, he explains has been unique, remarkable and memorable for different reasons.

“I was on a mission this year. I was really present, in the moment, absorbing everything.

And, to me, it was outstanding to have just two vets on the boat, Soto and me. Soto couldn’t be more different, and yet, it turns out we may be more alike than we could ever guess, but we wouldn’t have known that without having had that dedicated time together.”

“The first year, I didn’t know what to expect.

I was on Wild in Sac. Everyone there was so helpful, sharing their knowledge of the craft of sportfishing. I remember the crew giving us snorkels and dropping us in the water to cool off. I remember that so vividly.

So much so, in fact, that the two are already planning future get-togethers, with each traveling to the other’s home state.

These connections, says Drew, are among the most valuable parts of the Tournament for the veterans.

“Making connections is such a critical part of this Tournament,” says Drew. “WHOW has helped me more than I could have ever anticipated. It has truly changed my life.

The Tournament—and the people who are participating in it and the people who are there to support it—make all the difference.

They meet you where you are, and you move forward together.”

For Drew and his fellow vets, the extra time on the water during this year’s Tournament was especially healing.

“The extra afternoon on the water made a big difference,” he explains. “More time on the water gives you the ability to relax and digest what’s happening and get acclimated to the change. The remoteness that was provided to us this year takes the fishing to another level. I felt this trip gave me a greater idea of what it’s like to be on a boat, and to be in the crew’s shoes.”

DREW MEWES HOMETOWN

Olney, Illinois

BRANCH

Army

DEPLOYMENT

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 2007-2009

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“It’s how everyone shares their knowledge. How they’re so giving of themselves, of what they have, of what they know.

Together, we can make a difference in so many lives.

And that’s something so valuable to strive toward.”

For Drew, the Tournament has completely changed his life and he looks forward to seeing other veterans’ lives change for the better.

“

able to be thinking about what happened on the water rather than what happened some years before; to be taking notes about this experience when they wake up instead of why they had nightmares.”

I have saved my catches to make them into special dinners, and during those meals, we stop and talk about the trip and thank the people who helped make this a reality.”

“Before this Tournament, I was really struggling,” he recalls. “Now, my memories are often so different. I think back to the event, the crew, the team, the boat. I want other veterans to have that same opportunity and that same experience. I want them to be

Drew also wants to extend his deep gratitude to Anthony Hsieh for conceptualizing the WHOW Tournament. “I can’t thank Anthony enough,” says Drew.

“That he took a few veterans out on the water, recognized the issues we’re facing, and then created an entire Tournament in under a year — I cannot imagine what an effort that took. But he saw the need and he knew something had to be done. I am so grateful — and my family is so grateful.”

“

Most important, Drew feels that the Tournament gives everyone the chance to make a difference in the lives of the participating veterans.

“I love having an entirely different outlook.

The moments I’ve experienced during the Tournaments have been some of my best ever.”

Learn more about the WHOW 2021 Tournament here 10

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Another favorite experience is bringing home some of the fish that he caught.

“Being able to feed my family with the fish that we caught is a profound experience,” he explains.

Drew was also humbled to be served fish that the boat owners and crews caught on various trips.

“To be served local lobster that the team caught, or to enjoy ceviche made from our catch, it makes such an incredible impact and it is such a special memory.”

Drew’s favorite catch from this year’s Tournament was a marlin that they caught and released.

“It’s like the jaguar of the sea!” Drew explains as he describes the marlin. “But I also want to point out that this was very much a

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team effort, with Jason moving the boat in just the right way, Henry helping, the crew making all the right maneuvers—nothing like that could have been accomplished without teamwork.

“And, better still,” Drew adds, “It was the first time the Sea Horse had caught a marlin. And, as a result, the Sea Horse got to fly two new flags!” For yacht owners and crews considering participating in the 2021 event, Drew has this to offer: “The time you spend with us, you’re not just helping us keep going, you’re helping our spouses, our children, our neighbors, our counselors, our friends—you’re helping everyone involved in our lives. You’re not just helping one person. You’re putting out positive energy into the world that is helping everyone.”

ABOUT THAT MARLIN 2020 is Sea Horse’s third year participating in the War Heroes on Water Tournament, and its second year with a marlin story. But we’re going to let Captain Jason Greyshock explain in his own words: “For the first year of the Tournament, we were sponsors, but we’ve hosted veterans for the last two years. Last year, in the last hour of the Tournament, we baited two marlin. While fighting the marlin, a swordfish swam under the boat. So we literally had a triple going, two marlin and a swordfish. Unfortunately, we lost all three.

This year we followed our same plan. And, approximately in the same spot, while trolling marlin jigs, we went by a kelp patty and hooked a marlin. This time we were able to successfully catch and release the marlin, making it the first-ever marlin for the boat. As Drew mentions in his story, we got to raise two new flags on the boat with our veterans—the first for having caught our first marlin, and the second for the release. Pretty fun times, these flags were brand new and still in the plastic.”

“War Heroes on Water goes way beyond the two or three days of this event—everyone has a story,” says Jason.

Everyone does indeed have a story. We look forward to sharing more stories like Drew and Jason’s with you in the next issue of WHOW Magazine.

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FLEET SPOTLIGHT:

“IT’S ABOUT SEEING THE SMILES ON OUR VETS’ FACES” Joint Ventures’ owner, Colby Durnin, shares his experiences as a founding member of the WHOW fleet Colby Durnin, owner of Joint Venture, has proudly participated in every WHOW Tournaments to date, and looks forward to future events—and beyond—all to help benefit our nation’s greatest heroes.

“This Tournament is unique,” explains Colby. “While it’s not a money tournament, it’s even more intense in a way, because it’s about the pride of participation for others. It’s about seeing the smiles on our vets’ faces and, hopefully, seeing them at the podium on awards night.”

Colby is no stranger to fishing Tournaments or to the thrill of off shore fishing. Colby was working on a commercial swordfish boat by the time he was 16 years old. Since that time, he has enjoyed his life on the sea—becoming one of the youngest members to join the Avalon Tuna Club and serving as the prestigious club’s president in 2012. Between those accomplishments, he’s become an expert fisherman in the waters surrounding Southern California and Mexico and become close friends with many of the local captains and fishermen.

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“We all know each other, and we get pretty competitive,” he says of his fellow boat owners.

“For this event, it’s still competitive, but in a different way. We’re all focused on giving our veterans the very best experience that they could possibly have out on the water.”

“

folks to participate, I was all in,” recalls Colby.

“My father-in-law was a medic in the Vietnam war; my father was a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy; and my business partner was in the Army. If I hadn’t broken my neck in four places as a teenager,I would have pursued a career in the military myself.

The overall impact that Having the opportunity to celebrate these this Tournament has on veterans and give these heroes is immense. back to them has The confidence we’ve been my honor.”

Colby was introduced to the Tournament through Jim Kingsmill, who has served as the Joint Venture’s captain for the past seen in the returning vets six years. Jim was a Colby and his crew and the difference it has member of the Bad have hosted three sets made in their lives over Company team along of veterans, beginning the past three years with Steve Lassley, with the inaugural Pete Groesbeck, Randy Tournament in 2018. has been incredible Parker, Andy Horner to witness. and Keith O’Brian.

“The overall impact Led by Anthony Hsieh, that this Tournament the Bad Company has on these heroes is team is well-known, having swept multiple immense,” says Colby. “The confidence we’ve tournaments and winning unprecedented seen in the returning vets and the difference purses. it has made in their lives over the past three years has been incredible to witness.”

“When Steve mentioned to Jim that Anthony was putting together a special Tournament specifically for veterans, and was looking for

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The Tournament also forges friendships between the veterans as well as between the veterans and the boat owners and crews.

Which is exactly what Colby and his crew do—make them integral members of the Joint Venture team.

“I’ve had veterans from different branches of the armed forces on board during the past three years, and there are differences on where they’ve been deployed and some nuances that go along with that, but overall, every one of these guys is looking for camaraderie. They are looking to be more than labeled as a veteran or a patriot; they’re looking to depend on us as a society as much as we have depended on them for their service,” Colby adds.

“Great fishing teams function much like a highperforming race car team. We try to fish the same team for tournaments throughout the year, and it goes far beyond ‘did I catch a fish.’

It’s knowing when someone is going to cast, what he’s going to do next, that the guy on the tower has your back—the entire team can anticipate everyone’s movements,” Colby explains. “To watch our veterans move into that level of action is incredible. It’s just so much fun when they get into it and things just flow in an unspoken manner.”

Making sure that the veterans he hosts are immediately at ease is an important part of his team’s welcoming process.

“We make sure that they know that our home is their home. These are amazing people who made it a priority in their lives to be part of something bigger and to put their country before themselves. We try to show them the same respect.”

And, once they begin to become adjusted to their new environment, Colby enjoys watching the transformations unfold.

“During that first full day of fishing you really see the walls start to come down,” he recalls.

“These guys aren’t here to have everything done for them; they want to get right in on the adventure.”

Colby points out that how the Tournament scoring has evolved has created a lot of additional strategic fishing opportunities.

“Different boats and different fishermen with varying skill sets all have the same ability to podium,” explains Colby. “If you’re a speciesspecific fisherman or skilled angler or captain, you have just as good of a chance as winning as any other boat out there. This is a Tournament that focuses on the effort put in by the crews; you don’t have to have the largest or most tricked-out boat to win. You just have to focus on putting your guys on fish that will score,” he says.

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“The Joint Venture is a customized 47-foot Pacifica designed for Tournaments and long fishing expeditions. We’re probably not out as much as Jim (Kingsmill) would like us to be, but we probably are out fishing at least 40 days a year, and we go to Mexico every other year. My wife and children all love being on the boat throughout the seasons. In fact, my son, Raif, caught a 128-lb. blue fin tuna this summer.”

Colby adds that Raif is often out fishing with his friend, Cooper, whose father, Scott Dixon, is a captain with the Long Beach lifeguards.

“We’re raising the next generation of fishermen,” laughs Colby.

“Case in point this year, the Sea Horse, which is a great boat, but probably carries less bait than anyone else, was able to take High Boat honors due to their knowledge of San Nicolas Island,” Colby adds.

Having spent the majority of his life fishing, Colby has a lot of experience catching a variety of local fish.

“I truly enjoy catching all species of fish. In the summer and fall, we like tuna, marlin and swordfish. In the spring, rock cod and sea bass. And, in the early summer months, it’s all about exploration.”

Colby has shared his love of the water with his wife, Brenda, daughter, Bailey, and son, Raif.

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Colby looks forward to the 2021 Tournament, which is projected to be the largest one yet, hosting 100 veterans. He also knows that will require substantial growth to the fleet, which he also feels will be an exciting twist to the action. For anyone interested or considering joining the fleet, he has this advice: “Don’t be afraid to put your boat up. As long as you can fish comfortably with a crew of two or three and host a vet or two, just know that you can be competitive and that you’ll be giving to one of the best causes I’ve come across.”

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AT A GLANCE

JOINT VENTURE MODEL

Pacifica

OWNER

Colby Durnin

CAPTAIN

Jim Kingsmill

LENGTH

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Colby Durnin and his yacht, Joint Venture, have been with the Tournament since its inception in 2018. Colby is a strong supporter of War Heroes on Water, not just by offering his boat, but also by being extremely engaged in every way possible in the operations and promotional aspects of the Tournament. Joint Venture is known for— and enjoys getting—its veterans on fish. In the 2020 Tournament, Joint Venture helped Brent W. score the largest Yellowfin of the Tournament, at a whopping 61.2 lbs. Brent W. also took First Place for Qualifying Points per Angler, with limits of Calico Bass, Rockfish and Dorado, plus three Yellowtail, 2 Yellowfin and 4 Bluefin Tuna; Second Place for Weight Points per Angler, with 213 pts; and Second Place in the Overall Top Angler Division with 473 points. Joint Venture also took Second Place in the Top Boat Division, with an average of 336 points per angler.

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ROD ON THE WATER:

THE MANY JOYS OF WHOW ROD HALPERIN — ­ TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

When it comes to War Heroes On Water, my primary duties are to manage the “On Water” side of things. This is pretty much a dream position for me. I get to work with some of the top private yacht operations in our region, helping them to be prepared to host a group of veterans (War Heroes) for three to four days at sea, including a two-day fishing tournament. There are a ton of details the WHOW staff and yacht crews work through to ensure that each veteran enjoys the best possible experience while attending WHOW, both on water and off. It is a heart and soul thing, we do it for the vets.

The payoff is huge. You can see it in the faces of the vets and yacht crews at the awards dinner each year. All those sunburned faces smiling widely. The huge hugs and powerful handshakes that are commonplace throughout the evening. The cracking voices of strong men as they talk about their experience over the weekend, wishing it would never end. The

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promises made and kept of new friendships, bonds built over time, trust earned and given.

A transformed look in the eye, indescribable but fully apparent. Priceless.

While there are a variety of opportunities for vets to go fishing, WHOW is unique, and a big piece of that is the “On Water” experience.

During our 2020 event, the vets stepped aboard their designated yacht Thursday afternoon, and didn’t set foot on land until noon or so on Sunday. There is something special about leaving land and all the things that belong there behind and changing your mental focus to what lies ahead. It is an escape, a shift in mentality, a forced relief from all the drama and challenges that daily life presents.

It is a transformation that requires extended time to achieve. You can’t do it on a day trip, or really even over a weekend. To get the full effect, it takes a few days for the stress and pressure to melt away. Time on the water is powerful medicine, and WHOW delivers it in large doses.

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It is much more than simply time on the water.

Each yacht hosts two to three vets. Sometimes the vets already know each other, other times, not yet. During their time on the water, in the safety and privacy of the Pacific Ocean, they have the opportunity to talk, to share experiences, and to learn they are not alone in the challenges they face. They find common ground with their fellow warriors. They also open up to the yacht crews. They learn that there are many in our community who appreciate them, who support them, who love them for their sacrifice and sense of duty to our country.

Our yacht crews are critical to the healing that takes place because of WHOW. Between the bonding amongst the vets and with the yacht crews, the vets discover new sources of support that last much longer than the few short days of the event.

Then there is the fishing. As WHOW Tournament Director, I have the good fortune to have access to some of the top sportfishing operations

on our coast to recruit. Not only are the owners of these yachts generous enough to provide their yacht, crew, and all the gear and provisions to make a trip like this possible, they also gather some of the top fishing talent available to ensure the vets get plenty of action. The tournament rules are designed to ensure that all the vets catch fish, and don’t spend days waiting for one lucky bite. Most vets catch plenty of Calico Bass and Rockfish, and other exotics like yellowtail, dorado, yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, marlin and more are eligible to score points and winners usually score on multiple species. It is a chess game for the captains, trying to get the most out of each fishing day for the vets. The captains are competitive, and while there are no big prizes for winning, pride is on the line for them and their crews. They work hard at it, they want their vets up on the podium, holding a trophy.

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There is so much more to WHOW than these few paragraphs, but hopefully this provides a glimpse into the “On Water” piece. For us fishermen, the ocean is where we go to heal.

We know it’s where we can go to leave our troubles behind us for a while. We can focus our minds on the sea and the creatures that call it home. We can spend quality time with people who share the same passion. We can talk to them, cry with them, celebrate with them. We can scream at the top of our

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lungs or stare silently at the vast openness of the sea and the sky as we let go of our troubles, even if it is only for a short time. To share that experience with others who so desperately need it, to see their transformation from start to finish, to earn the trust and friendship of these heroes, to serve those who served our country and sacrificed greatly so we continue to have these opportunities, is a great honor. It’s a heart and soul thing, we do it for the vets.

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WHOW 2020 REUNION TOURNAMENT:

BEYOND PATRIOTISM AND PAGEANTRY A HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO OUR VETERANS

From the pageantry of the first-ever Boat Parade that kicked off the Tournament to the heart-stopping vintage World War II flyover that concluded it, this year’s WHOW Tournament delivered on patriotism, action and adventure. But, most important, it cemented new friendships, established new bonds and created lifelong memories.

“In a short two years, we’ve raised almost one million dollars for veterans, but what’s more important here is for us to recognize these brave men and women— they’re the reason all of us have such a great life in this great country,” explained loanDepot CEO Anthony Hsieh to KTTV Fox 11 Reporter Sandra Endo during a pre-event spot on L.A.’s popular morning program, Good Day L.A. “This Tournament is a time for us to appreciate them, a time for us to come together as a community, and a time to raise awareness of the needs they have when their service ends.”

This year’s event was especially important to the veterans and WHOW organizers, given the COVID-19 pandemic, and the heightened feelings of isolation that many combatwounded veterans are experiencing as a result of closures and restrictions.

“This is a premier event in the country, and everyone has a great time,” explained Josh Miles, Director of Military Programs for Freedom Alliance, WHOW’s charitable partner.

“The veteran community, like the civilian community, has been in isolation and has been having a tough time. It’s great to be able to get us together, to be able to heal together, and to be with people who have been through the same things that you’ve been through.”

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The health and safety of all participants were the top priority for event organizers, who worked diligently to establish a series of stringent safety protocols, which included a series of COVID-19 tests. The Tournament also was scaled to be an intimate reunion, which was more appropriate for current conditions. And, while the scale may have been slightly less than originally planned, the resulting impact was significantly greater.

“The Southern California community looks forward to honoring our veterans,” explained WHOW Tournament Director Rod Halperin.

“Typically, we kick off the Tournament with a large fundraising event for 300 to 400 people, but we knew that, this year, we couldn’t hold that type of gathering, which led us to the idea of holding a Boat Parade.”

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The Boat Parade also was a welcome feature on LA airwaves, with KTTV 11’s Good Day LA crew coming down to the Harbor early Thursday morning to talk with Anthony, Rod, Colby Durnin, owner of Joint Venture, Mark Mitchell, owner of Motivator, Tom “Shano” Shanahan, Motivator’s captain, and Josh Miles, Director of Military Programs, and Mike Nares, Program Officer, from Freedom Alliance.

Good Day LA viewers were treated to three interviews that morning, which were shared again on the 12 o’clock and 5 o’clock news programs. KABC Channel 7 also came down to document the event—and sent a drone to cover some of the on-water action.

Rod’s commentary during the morning program’s filming would turn out to be prophetic: “We’ve assembled the best boats, the best sportfishing captains and the best crews here in Southern California. They’ve all come together to volunteer their time to this special event. These guys know how to catch the fish and they have a competitive spirit. They’re going to catch a lot of fish and show the vets a good time. I hope that all of the participating veterans feel the love.”

And catch a lot of fish, they did. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

The event began with a celebratory gathering at Anthony’s home, from which the veterans boarded their assigned boats. The 12-boat flotilla then assembled in Newport Harbor’s Turning Basin for the Tournament’s official Opening Ceremonies. Following the singing of the National Anthem by country singer, Tyler Rich, the participating boats lined up behind the lead yacht, Cielo Mare, for a first-ever WHOW Boat Parade. The WHOW participants were joined by more than 60 local boats for what resulted in a joyous and patriotic loop through Newport Harbor.

Throughout the parade, dozens of Newport Beach and Balboa Island residents quickly jumped to their balconies and doors to give the veterans a special Southern California send-off.

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“The patriotism displayed by the Southern California community for this year’s event has been truly amazing,” said Anthony. “During the boat parade, people were literally running out of their homes, flags in hand, to honor our veterans.”

Immediately following the patriotic Boat Parade festivities, the Tournament boats headed out to sea to begin their two-day fishing adventure off the waters of Santa Catalina Island. All day Friday and Saturday, the boats enjoyed their special time with the veterans, and shared their knowledge of the waters, the native fish species and the different techniques used to angle. The veterans were fast learners OR the fishing conditions were exceptional—or both—as the veterans hauled in a spectacular amount of fish!

“Not bad for a couple days in October,” Rod would later laugh as he read off the impressive catch statistics at the awards banquet. In all, the veterans caught 459 qualifying fish— and dozens more that did not qualify—in the two days of fishing, a testament to the bounty of the SoCal waters and the prowess of the fishermen who charted the adventures. The “haul” included four striped marlin (which were caught and released), 11 bluefin tuna, 25 yellowfin tuna, 95 dorado, 99 yellowtail, 99 calico bass and 125 rockfish.

The 2020 WHOW Tournament Fleet YACHT

OWNER

Bad Company 75

Anthony Hsieh

Adventure

Paul Lepore

Determined Dan Gorman, Zac Cullen Dialed Inn

Randy Pennington

Gad Zukes

Greg Zucchero

Incognito

Kevin Reardon

Joint Venture

Colby Durnin

Motivator

Mark Mitchell

Play-N Hookey

Bill Larkin

Sea Horse

Bruce Ferguson

Shannon Rose

Shaun Keating

Wild in Sac

Mark Heinz

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Speaking of bluefin tuna, one of the veterans, Marcus C., landed a monster 218 lb. bluefin— which was weighed at the iconic green pier in Avalon Harbor. The weighing event itself garnered the interest of numerous tourists, with dozens gathering to watch the massive fish being hoisted out of the Bad Company hull and onto the scale.

The on-water portion of the Tournament concluded with the 12-boat flotilla gathering in formation outside Avalon harbor for one final assembly. A number of local Avalon boat owners again joined the festivities, eager to see how the event would conclude.

That’s when, rumbling from a distance, a breathtaking flyover of vintage World War II aircraft filled the skies.

Said Joint Venture’s Colby Durnin, “We’re honored to celebrate and support the veteran community. It’s our immense pleasure to share our love of the sea and of sportfishing with these true patriots, and to give them experiences that provide them with profound healing.”

“So often, what I hear most from the veterans I talk with as we plan these events are the words ‘I think someone else deserves to be here more than me’,” added Josh Miles, Director

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of Military and Charitable Programs for Freedom Alliance. “The veteran community is extremely humble. The outpouring of support and generosity that continues to come from the Southern California community—and specifically the sportfishing community—is unlike anything I’ve seen. This year has been especially challenging for the veteran community overall, and this event has meant the world to these men.”

Upon their return to land, the veterans celebrated with an outdoors awards ceremony on the lawn of the Newport Beach Country Club. The joy of the weekend was clearly evident, and, between awards, the veterans continued to share stories, insights and hugs— reinforcing the bonds of friendship that will continue for years to come.

Also in attendance was Julia Morris, Freedom Alliance 2020 Scholarship Student Ambassador. A graduate of Virginia Tech with three majors: Sociology, Criminology and Psychology, Julia is one of 499 students who are currently receiving scholarships from Freedom Alliance. She is the daughter of Captain James J. Morris, who lost his life 20 years ago when his plane crashed in a training accident. Freedom Alliance serves as the charitable partner for War Heroes On Water.

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“The generosity and kindness everyone has shown me this weekend has been monumental,” said Julia. “Being able to attend college with the help of Freedom Alliance has been really great for my family and is the reason for my success. I feel like I have a whole new family and support system, not only in the other students I have met, but in the gracious people who work at Freedom Alliance. Thank you all for allowing me to be part of this event.”

WHOW Awards Ceremonies are among the most heartfelt you could ever attend, with everyone rooting and delighted for those who reach the podium. Roars of appreciation followed each of Rod’s winners’ announcements—with proud owners, captains and crews joining the veterans in one final ‘hurrah’ for a job very well done.

The Awards Ceremonies concluded with the Ron Ashimine Award, which is bestowed upon the top angler of the Tournament. Named for Ron Ashimine, a lifelong angler and veteran who passed away in 2019 and who holds a special place in the hearts of the SoCal sportfishing community, this year’s recipient was Drew M. on Sea Horse.

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As he accepted his award, Drew offered this insightful and heartfelt message, “We stand on the shoulders of much greater men and women than us. We must remember that every single day of our lives. Every single thing we do, every single step we take, be mindful and know that people have made greater sacrifices than we have; and that’s why we’re here today.”

At the event concluded and the veterans departed for their homes, WHOW event organizers began envisioning what next year’s Tournament experience might look like. The 2021 event is slated to be the largest Tournament ever, with plans to honor 100 combat-wounded veterans and raise $1M. “This Tournament has the potential to become much larger than anything we could have ever imagined,” said Anthony. “And that’s all because of the dedication and heart displayed by the sportfishing and SoCal communities.”

To stay up to date on all things WHOW, follow our Facebook and Instagram and YouTube channels or visit www.warheroesonwater.com.

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WHOW WINNERS FISH SPECIES CAUGHT 459 29 16 125 99 99 95 25 11 4 1 42

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Qualifying Fish Caught Anglers on 12 boats Average Qualifiers per Angler Rockfish Calico Bass up to 7.1 pounds Yellowtail up to 31 pounds Dorado up to 26 pounds Yellowfin Tuna up to 61 pounds Bluefin Tuna up to 218 pounds Striped Marlin (released) Halibut (15 pounds) WHOW MAGAZINE

DIVISION

WINNER

Bluefin

Marcus C. (Bad Company)

Calico Bass

Enrique S. (Sea Horse)

Dorado

Drew M. (Sea Horse)

Halibut

Woody D. (Determined)

Marlin

Drew M. (Sea Horse) Matt R. (Adventure) Mike W. (Bad Company) Ryan B. (Dialed Inn)

Rockfish

Steve F. (Play-N Hookey)

Yellowfin

Brent W. (Joint Venture)

Yellowtail

Steve F. (Play-N Hookey)

SPECIES DIVISION WINNERS 218-lb. Bluefin Tuna

37.4-lb. Rockfish

Marcus C. (Bad Company)

5 fish limit including 37.4 lb Ling Cod Steve F. (Play-N Hookey)

7.2-lb. Calico Bass 5 fish Limit including 7.2 lb Calico Bass Enrique S. (Sea Horse)

15.1-lb. Halibut

61.2-lb. Yellowfin 2 yellowfin tuna including 61.2 lb yellowfin Brent W. (Joint Venture)

Woody D. (Determined)

4 Striped Marlin 26.2-lb. Dorado Drew M. (Sea Horse)

28-lb. Yellowtail 5 fish limit including 28.1 lb Yellowtail Steve F. (Play-N Hookey)

* Each angler caught and released a marlin Matt R. (Adventure) Mike W. (Bad Company) Ryan B. (Dialed Inn) Drew M. (Sea Horse)

QUALIFYING POINTS WINNER

TOP BOAT

WINNER

First Place

Brent W. (Joint Venture)

First Place

Sea Horse

Second Place

Drew M. (Sea Horse)

Second Place

Joint Venture

Third Place

Darren M. Donnie L. Dirk L. (Shannon Rose)

Third Place

Play-N Hookey

WEIGHT

WINNER

TOP ANGLER

WINNER

First Place

Drew M. (Sea Horse)

First Place - Ron Ashimine Award

Drew M. (Sea Horse)

Second Place

Brent W. (Joint Venture) Second Place

Brent W. (Joint Venture)

Third Place

Steve F. (Play-N Hookey)

Third Place

Steve F. (Play-N Hookey)

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WHOW 2021:

LET’S GO!

$3 $200 K

$100 K

FUNDS RAISED TO DATE

$141,000 44

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$1M $900 K

$800 K $700 K $600 K

$500 K $400 K

300 K Please join us in helping to make War Heroes on Water the largest on-water therapeutic program of its kind for combat-wounded veterans. Our goal for 2021 is to host 100 veterans and raise $1M this year. It’s an ambitious goal, but we think we can do it— with your help.

“As Americans, we have a duty and a commitment to serve and heal those who have made so many sacrifices to protect and defend our great country,” said loanDepot CEO Anthony Hsieh, who conceptualized this Tournament in 2018. “We have a passion and a purpose, and our commitment to Veterans will never waver. Every day, we live our objective to help heal heroes and change their lives. But, what is so special about this event is that we get just as much as we give. WHOW changes our lives, too.

There’s nothing else like it.”

In addition to the West Coast sportfishing teams and boat owners who have graciously provided their year-over-year support and participation, we would also like to thank the corporate sponsors who have heeded Anthony’s call, pledging funds for the WHOW 2021 Tournament. So far, ServiceLink, Docutech, Buckley Sanders, Rate Marketplace and Finicity have pledged more than $125,000 to WHOW via the Tournament’s charitable partner, Freedom Alliance. With the amazing contributions made by loanDepot employees, that total goes to $141,000.

“Doing everything we can for our Veterans should be a non-negotiable for every citizen of this country. I’m calling upon everyone to share and show their support,” Anthony added.

To make a donation, please visit. To learn more about the Tournament, please visit. To discuss a specific donation or sponsorship, please contact Kaelyn Leger.

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