2026 WHOW Tournament
September 25 – 29, 2026
Honoring Veterans Through Adventure, Healing & Community
War Heroes on Water (WHOW) is a powerful annual sportfishing tournament that brings combat veterans together with skilled captains, crews, and supporters for an experience that heals, honors, and builds lifelong connections. By harnessing the healing power of the ocean and team fishing, WHOW supports veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. Since its founding in 2018, WHOW has grown into the largest nonprofit sportfishing tournament in the United States dedicated to serving combat-wounded veterans.
Partnering with LoanDepot, Freedom Alliance is proud to serve as the philanthropic non-profit for WHOW, helping ensure the impact of this event extends beyond the tournament itself. Funds raised through WHOW support veterans and their families year-round through Freedom Alliance programs, including therapeutic services, scholarships, and other veteran-focused resources. Together, we expand support for combat-wounded veterans, strengthen communities of care and gratitude, and inspire others to honor service through action and advocacy.
Participate in War Heroes on Water
Veteran Application
The first step to getting involved is completing our easy online application!
To date, WHOW has directly served more than 425 combat veterans and supported thousands more through fundraising. Applications are carefully reviewed to bring together veterans with shared service backgrounds and experiences, helping foster connection, camaraderie, and strong group cohesion. Please review the eligibility requirements below to determine if you qualify to apply.Â
Eligibility requirements:
Post 9/11/2001 U.S. Military service members and veterans with 1 or more combat deployments are eligible to apply if they meet one or more of the following requirements:
• Served in a combat arms MOS and engaged with the enemy (award of the CIB / CFMB / CAB / CAR, etc.),
• Wounded by enemy action (Purple Heart Medal), regardless of MOS,
• Awards for Valor / “V” device, regardless of MOS (Example: Bronze Star Medal with “V” device),
• Member of the Special Operations community with multiple combat deployments.
Freedom Alliance selects groups of combat veterans to attend our Outdoor Adventure Programs based on the information provided in the applications to put together groups that have commonalities – from deployment areas and times, similar burdens, and other factors to promote a quick group cohesion.
At its core, War Heroes on Water is about three things:
WHOW is centered on human connection, gratitude, and community support for wounded veterans.
By spending quality time on the water with dedicated captains and crews, veterans engage in therapeutic activities that support both mental and emotional well-being.
The event gives veterans the recognition and camaraderie they deserve while celebrating their courage in a unique, memorable setting.
“It’s good for the mind.  It’s good for the soul to come out here and be on the water. Be out of the elements. It just keeps the demons at bay. It really does heal some wounds. It’s so therapeutic to get out here with other warriors and get lines in the water and just have a good time. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I came out here, but I’m very, very glad I did.  It’ll be a memory for the rest of my life.”
USMC Sergeant Travis Armenta Jr.
Support War Heroes on Water
Your generosity helps make life-changing experiences possible for combat veterans through WHOW. Donations support healing, connection, and continued care for veterans and their families through Freedom Alliance programs.