The Third Annual Naked Warrior Project Fishing Tournament hosted by Blue Tide Marine is set for Saturday, April 24. The tournament raises funds in support of The Naked Warrior Project’s mission to memorialize fallen Navy SEALs, help injured Navy SEALs in their recovery and provide support to their families.
South Florida resident John Owens, a retired Navy SEAL, started The Naked Warrior Project, , a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, as a memorial to his brother, Ryan Owens, also a Navy SEAL, who was killed in action on January 29, 2017, an event widely covered by the media.
Tournament headquarters are at the Sands Harbor Resort and Marina in Pompano Beach. Eligible fish include dolphin, kingfish, wahoo, tuna, and cobia. The entry fee per vessel and four anglers is $475 if paid on or before March 14, 2021 and $550 if paid between March 15 and April 22, 2021. Anglers may register on April 22 at the Captain’s Dinner. Additional anglers are $125 each.
Anglers may register and pay online at NakedWarriorProject.org or by mail to Naked Warrior Project c/o John Owens PO Box 843 Deerfield Beach, FL 33443. More information on registration, the April 22 Captain’s Dinner, kick- off party, tournament rules and other helpful information can be found at NakeWarriorProject.org.
Tournament Schedule for Saturday, April 24, 2021:
6am – 7am – Visual Checkout Hillsboro Inlet
7am – Lines in water
1pm – 5pm – Weigh-In at The Sands Stage
4pm – BBQ Dinner Begins
6pm – Awards Ceremony
“This year’s tournament is on track to be bigger and better than ever as we look to double our entries from last year’s impressive group,” said John Owens. “We invite all interested anglers to come and fish, meet and support some of our nation’s finest warriors in a fun-filled event for a great cause!”
The Third Annual Naked Warrior Fishing Tournament is sponsored by International Materials Inc, YETI, Blue Tide Marine, Gray Taxidermy, Sterling Associates, Tropic Ocean Airways, Offshore Anglers of Pompano Beach and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
More information is available at nakedwarriorproject.org.
The Origin of Naked Warriors
In early 1944 during World War II, sailors were clearing boat channels across the South Pacific to make way for troop landings. These units were called Underwater Demolition Teams, and they are the only naval special warfare units that remained after World War II. The focus was on swimming. These troops, who became known as “frogmen,” went on missions clad in swim trunks, fins and a face mask and carried a K-Bar knife. As a result, they got the nickname “Naked Warriors.”