Iceman knows HOW - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Heroes On The Water · 01-27-2016, 09:44 AM

Iceman (Andy) is a huge supporter of our chapter of HEROES ON THE WATER. Besides volunteering at our monthly events whenever he has the time he is solely responsible for organizing our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Mission Bay Classic.
Throughout the year Andy has surprised our chapter with monetary donations that he has personally raised along with the added donation of equipment.
We are truly grateful for his continued support!

Andy recently gave us a little more of his time by sitting down to answer a few of our questions.

HOW: How many years have you volunteered with HOW?
Iceman: I just began volunteering within the last 2 years. Having the local chapter utilizing Big Water’s Edge brought the existence of our SoCal chapter closer to my attention. Posting the schedule of events and sign ups and telling stories of making a difference was all the encouragement that I needed.

HOW: What made you decide to come out and volunteer for the first time?
Iceman: Knowing the leadership team personally and being made aware of the goals and the overall purpose of Heroes on the Water and these events I felt compelled to check out what was going on. Having grown up on Army bases with a father who was an officer, I appreciated this opportunity to give a little bit back to those who gave us everything in serving to keep all of us safe. My dad shared his love of fishing with me and I believe there is something powerful, being on the water kayak fishing.

HOW: What makes you continue to volunteer?
Iceman: Having experienced this once, it is hard to stay away. There is tremendous satisfaction in sharing what we know happens out on the water fishing from a kayak. Everyone leaves these events better than when they came, whether a volunteer or a participant. There is a great sense of our community and camaraderie as everyone hangs around eating and sharing stories from the day’s fishing. There are lots of smiles and you perceive the feeling of loads being lightened from the participants.

HOW: Do you have a short story or experience of some kind or regarding someone at a HOW event that you found memorable and conveys the spirit of what we do?
Iceman: No real specific stories. The returning participants usually stand out from first time attending as having experienced this; they have anticipation for what the day will bring without any apprehension of the unknown of a first time attendee. Watching anyone of these guys pulling in their first fish and holding it up with that fisherman’s pride for a photo is something I never tire from seeing. The camaraderie while everyone eats and relives their accomplishments of the day reaffirm that getting up early and making the long drive was a very small price to pay, the drive home feels shorter and filled with a sense of doing something good that really matters to these American heroes in need of us sharing this special resource we have found in kayak fishing and belonging to our community.

HOW: What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering with us?
Iceman: Everyone has their own strengths, everyone has something to offer. I have mostly tried to capture these events in photos and offered access to kayaks from my shop. Mentors with good teaching skills are one of many strengths needed for the success of these events. Setting up all the kayaks, rigging rods and reels, cutting bait, prepping food, cooking, clean up and loading everything all up are chores made easier with an abundance of volunteers. I have always shown up with the attitude of “use me however is needed”. I always leave feeling like a better person for being a part of this day helping out Heroes on the Water.

erinoo · 01-27-2016, 12:57 PM

I honored to know him.

momo fish · 01-27-2016, 01:56 PM

X2.. Good dude 😊

FISH11 · 01-27-2016, 02:10 PM

X3 , absolutely a great gentleman!

Heroes On The Water · 02-03-2016, 01:11 AM

Andy is such an awesome supporter of us and I hope his words inspire others to come out and see for themselves just how much a few hours on the water means to our deserving guests.

Pocoloco · 02-03-2016, 08:23 AM

I can't think of a better way to spend a saturday on one of our gems, mission bay. Fish, kayak, eat and soak up some california gold. BTW the feeling that you get when you leave knowing that you've help someone isn't too bad either. Enjoy.

blitzburgh · 02-03-2016, 09:24 AM

This is awesome! Ice, you the man

Lit-up1 · 02-03-2016, 10:03 AM

C U Saturday!

01-27-2016, 09:44 AM	#1
Heroes On The Water Non Profit Organization Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 37	Iceman knows HOW Iceman (Andy) is a huge supporter of our chapter of HEROES ON THE WATER. Besides volunteering at our monthly events whenever he has the time he is solely responsible for organizing our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Mission Bay Classic. Throughout the year Andy has surprised our chapter with monetary donations that he has personally raised along with the added donation of equipment. We are truly grateful for his continued support! Andy recently gave us a little more of his time by sitting down to answer a few of our questions. HOW: How many years have you volunteered with HOW? Iceman: I just began volunteering within the last 2 years. Having the local chapter utilizing Big Water’s Edge brought the existence of our SoCal chapter closer to my attention. Posting the schedule of events and sign ups and telling stories of making a difference was all the encouragement that I needed. HOW: What made you decide to come out and volunteer for the first time? Iceman: Knowing the leadership team personally and being made aware of the goals and the overall purpose of Heroes on the Water and these events I felt compelled to check out what was going on. Having grown up on Army bases with a father who was an officer, I appreciated this opportunity to give a little bit back to those who gave us everything in serving to keep all of us safe. My dad shared his love of fishing with me and I believe there is something powerful, being on the water kayak fishing. HOW: What makes you continue to volunteer? Iceman: Having experienced this once, it is hard to stay away. There is tremendous satisfaction in sharing what we know happens out on the water fishing from a kayak. Everyone leaves these events better than when they came, whether a volunteer or a participant. There is a great sense of our community and camaraderie as everyone hangs around eating and sharing stories from the day’s fishing. There are lots of smiles and you perceive the feeling of loads being lightened from the participants. HOW: Do you have a short story or experience of some kind or regarding someone at a HOW event that you found memorable and conveys the spirit of what we do? Iceman: No real specific stories. The returning participants usually stand out from first time attending as having experienced this; they have anticipation for what the day will bring without any apprehension of the unknown of a first time attendee. Watching anyone of these guys pulling in their first fish and holding it up with that fisherman’s pride for a photo is something I never tire from seeing. The camaraderie while everyone eats and relives their accomplishments of the day reaffirm that getting up early and making the long drive was a very small price to pay, the drive home feels shorter and filled with a sense of doing something good that really matters to these American heroes in need of us sharing this special resource we have found in kayak fishing and belonging to our community. HOW: What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering with us? Iceman: Everyone has their own strengths, everyone has something to offer. I have mostly tried to capture these events in photos and offered access to kayaks from my shop. Mentors with good teaching skills are one of many strengths needed for the success of these events. Setting up all the kayaks, rigging rods and reels, cutting bait, prepping food, cooking, clean up and loading everything all up are chores made easier with an abundance of volunteers. I have always shown up with the attitude of “use me however is needed”. I always leave feeling like a better person for being a part of this day helping out Heroes on the Water. __________________ HEROES ON THE WATER Southern California Chapter Follow us on FACEBOOK Last edited by Heroes On The Water; 01-27-2016 at 09:50 AM.

01-27-2016, 02:10 PM	#4
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,628	X3 , absolutely a great gentleman! __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

02-03-2016, 01:11 AM	#5
Heroes On The Water Non Profit Organization Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 37	Andy is such an awesome supporter of us and I hope his words inspire others to come out and see for themselves just how much a few hours on the water means to our deserving guests. __________________ HEROES ON THE WATER Southern California Chapter Follow us on FACEBOOK

02-03-2016, 09:24 AM	#7
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	This is awesome! Ice, you the man __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

02-03-2016, 10:03 AM	#8
Lit-up1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Point Loma Posts: 384	HOW C U Saturday! __________________

01-27-2016, 12:57 PM	#2
erinoo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Carlsbad,,Halfway up the Hill Posts: 485	I honored to know him.

01-27-2016, 01:56 PM	#3
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	X2.. Good dude 😊

02-03-2016, 08:23 AM	#6
Pocoloco Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: el cajon Posts: 239	I can't think of a better way to spend a saturday on one of our gems, mission bay. Fish, kayak, eat and soak up some california gold. BTW the feeling that you get when you leave knowing that you've help someone isn't too bad either. Enjoy.

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