OpenWater

Dedicated to the health and wellness of those who serve our community and our country.

We support the health and wellness of every First Responder and Veteran through unique training programs, fellowship, and open water experiences. Being in nature, physical activity, service work, nutrition, learning new things, and positive connections with others all have proven to positively impact mental health.

06/02/2026

🌊 Our pilot-year OpenWater Surf Challenger made its debut on May 16 in Huntington Beach, bringing together an incredible mix of police officers, firefighters, lifeguards, marine safety personnel, veterans, and local community members. Held on the south side of the pier near Lifeguard Headquarters, the event delivered exactly what it set out to create: connection, challenge, and community.

🏄‍♂️ Participants competed as individuals within a team format, rotating through 30‑minute prone, SUP, and surf heats. Each heat pushed competitors to paddle for points before switching gears to catch their top two scoring waves. The ocean delivered its fair share of “character-building” moments, but the grit, humor, and camaraderie on display made every wipeout part of the fun!

🤝 Beyond the competition, the day embodied the heart of OpenWater’s mission— adventure, exercise, and fellowship. It was a chance for people who serve our communities every day to come together in a new environment, challenge themselves, and build deeper connections both in and out of the water.

🙏 Thank you to everyone who paddled, surfed, volunteered, cheered, and helped make this first year unforgettable!

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 What an amazing day! Our 4th Annual Memorial Day paddle race is one for the books. It was a day full of fellowship, fun and friends. We recognized those who served our nation, shared a special blessing over our new canoe, had delicious meals, and raced on the water.

💙 We are so grateful for our community and our nation.

Thank you to and and all of our amazing volunteers.

05/14/2026

🤝 There is strength in community. Each month, we gather to paddle or surf and all are welcome. Join us for an upcoming social event. Events are held from 9:00am to 11:00am in California. Please RSVP to [email protected] to let us know you’re coming. See you there!

Surf: May 16, 2026 | Huntington Beach Pier
Paddle: May 24, 2026 | Newport Aquatic Center – Memorial Day Event (Register via Paddleguru in bio)
Surf: June 6, 2026 | Huntington Beach Pier
Paddle: June 20, 2026 | Newport Aquatic Center

05/08/2026

“I’d be a different person without [OpenWater].”

Kane is an active firefighter and an integral part of the OpenWater community. After multiple successful channel crossings, he shares his passion for the mission and the immense impact that community and nature can have on first responders, active-duty military, veterans, and their families.

05/06/2026

Isolation and trauma pull us away from joy and community.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. A month where we recognize the staggering effects of mental health on veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families. Nearly 30% of First Responders alone experience mental health conditions related to post-traumatic stress and depression.

Our programs are specifically designed to support those who protect our community and our country. Being in nature, physical activity, service, breath-work, nutrition, and positive fellowship all play a crucial role in positively impacting mental health.

This is at the heart of what we do – every day.

If we haven’t met you yet, reach out and join us on the water. If we have, we can’t wait to see you at our next social event or the upcoming Memorial Day event on 05/24.

Open hearts. Open arms. OpenWater.

03/17/2026

✨ Meet Jaimie: OpenWater Mentor, Civilian

💬 “Before joining I felt like every day was an emergency, pulled tight by work and life. This community has been a powerful reminder to slow down and practice gratitude while giving back to those who serve. I’ve formed real bonds with first responders and loved ones, and even small moments of joy feel meaningful.”

🫶 This Women’s History Month, we continue our profile features on the members of Team OpenWater. They are 4 weeks away from the Catalina Channel crossing.

03/16/2026

🎉 Merch Sale This Saturday!  Join us during our upcoming Social Paddle on March 21st for a special merch sale at the Newport Aquatic Center! Don’t miss the chance to rep sweet OpenWater gear.

🛍️ Sample sale on legacy items
👕 Brand‑new apparel
💸 Prices starting at $10
⏰ 9:00–11:00 AM
📍 Newport Aquatic Center

Come early, snag your favorites, and paddle in style! We’ve got new colors and styles, including women’s crew and cropped tees.

03/10/2026

Since OpenWater’s inception, Erin has been a steady force behind the scenes. As OpenWater took shape, she watched it evolve from an idea into a life-changing nonprofit. Before OpenWater, her husband Danny Nichols had spent a decade serving in the ocean-based nonprofit space, and Erin understood what the water meant to him. “I was already like, okay, this is his passion,” she says. “He wants to give back, and he wants to do it in a really meaningful way that relates to the water.”

She hosted gatherings for participants and their families, often connecting with spouses and children who shared how much OpenWater had changed their loved ones’ lives. “Danny meets the individual,” she says. “And I meet the family unit behind them.”

For years, she saw herself as the supporter, not the one stepping into the water and taking on the challenge.

Until now.

This April, Erin will paddle 32 miles across the Catalina Channel to Newport Beach, California, as part of OpenWater’s Wild Buffalo Relay team. The channel crossing is no easy task. At first, Erin shares she wasn’t sure she belonged.

“I was resistant,” she admits, when she was asked to join the team. “Not because I didn’t believe in it. I just thought, ‘can I do this?’”

“I get OpenWater on a different level now,” she says.

As race day approaches, Erin says she’s most looking forward to being fully present on the water with the ladies and the bond forged mile by mile across the open ocean. But most importantly, she’s doing it for her daughters to show them they can reach for the stars and achieve anything they put their minds to. “It’s not just dad that can do the hard things,” she says. “Mom can do them too.”

Read more about Erin’s story in our bio.

03/05/2026

👋 You are invited to register for our beginner CO2 Tolerance Class!

Improve your body’s ability to maintain function despite elevated levels of CO2 in your system. This training can increase muscle efficiency, endurance, and help manage stress and anxiety.

Ocean View High School
Fridays 5-8pm
**RSVP is MANDATORY**
Email [email protected]

FR/Military: your participation is covered by OpenWater.
Friends: each class is $35.

What to bring: wetsuit, bodysurfing fins, mask + snorkel, goggles.
Need to borrow equipment? Let us know!

03/03/2026

💛 As we step into March, OpenWater is proud to celebrate Women’s History Month by honoring the women who shape our community, our mission, and our future. One of the most meaningful parts of this month is welcoming back our returning female mentors for the OpenWater Women’s Team. Their dedication to lifting others embodies the very spirit of Women’s History Month.

Their stories, insights, and leadership remind us just how powerful representation and mentorship can be. You’ll find the full 2025 Wild Buffalo Relay video linked below—take a moment to watch, celebrate, and share.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk8oTyccsRc

family

Address

214 5th Street , Suite 201
Huntington Beach, CA
92648

Website

http://beopenwater.org/

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