Parade in Newport Harbor ships out veterans to War Heroes on the Water fishing tournament

Veterans are angling for a win this weekend as part of the War Heroes on the Water fishing tournament, but they were first sent off by a boat parade Saturday evening around Newport Harbor.

The fourth annual sportfishing competition began in 2018 when loanDepot founder and chief executive officer Anthony Hseih decided to organize a tournament after taking seven veterans on a fishing trip to Cabo San Lucas and was inspired when they spoke of how much their time out on the open seas meant to them.

A father and son sit on the beach and watch boats take part in the 2021 War Heroes on Water Boat Parade.

(James Carbone)

The tournament is typically held in August, but was held in October both in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.

This is only the second time that the competition has featured a boat parade, which first came about as a way to involve the Newport Beach community without creating a large gathering to avoid coronavirus transmission.

The tournament raises funds for veteran support programs across the country and this year’s is expected to be the largest to date, with about 100 veterans participating.

Small boats and yachts cruise together in the 2021 War Heroes on Water Boat Parade.

(James Carbone)

The national anthem was played and more than 35 yachts were featured in Saturday’s parade.

The competition will end Tuesday.

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