Event Update (5/20/25)
We’ve secured participation of our ‘novelty’ celebrities/athletes;
– Brista Mayfield, Connor Warman, Carleen Mathews, Shane Farmer, Dustin Virgil, & Colby Chontosh,
and Veteran competitors;
– Genna Speed & Jake Croxsdale (Army)
– Christian Bolaños (Navy)
– Andrew Hanscom (Marines)
– Miguel Espinoza (Air Force)
– Nicole Solana (Army/Coast Guard),
with special competitors Emily Delay and William Thornton (Army).
Each of these participants will also be hosting Peer-2-Peer fundraising through their professional & social networks to raise awareness and essential funding for the foundation. Donations generated through the competitors via P2P will go towards awarding them points during the competition.
Event Sponsors
Each year Rogue Fitness and Concept 2 support this event through their generosity and this year is no different. The Purpose BBQ will be cooking for us again in 2025.
We’ll be announcing additional partners and sponsors in the coming days.
GiveAways
This year we will be hosting a giveaway of prizes & equipment to individuals; randomly, at various donation thresholds.
$50 donation will receive an entry to receive a Big Fish Leather Patch Camo Hat by Harmon Leather Works. (x10 available)
$100 donation will receive a code for our “Hold Fast” 2025 T-shirt or Tank Top by Wolf Eye Designs. (x20 available)
$500 donation will receive a code for a free “Sea Monster” T-shirt and Honor Patch and all 3 Big Fish Patches by Signet Designs, and an opportunity to win a $100 Gift Card by Rogue Fitness or a Big Fish Branded Yeti 16oz Tumbler. (x6 available)
$1000 donation will receive an entry for a Rogue Echo Bike used during our event. (x4 available)
$1000 donation will receive an entry for our unique Big Fish chrome Concept 2 rower; should nobody win the Concept 2 Remote 24 hour Challenge. (x1 available)
$1500 donation will receive an entry for a Big Fish Concept 2 rower used during our event. (x2 available)
$5000 donation will receive an entry for an Old Rip Van Winkle 10 or 12 year bottle of whiskey and a set of x4 Big Fish Leather wrapped whiskey glasses & leather coasters. (x2 available)
More items and our Remote Participation challenges to be announced soon.
Remote Challenges
For the many that won’t be able to participate in person, we will be creating mini remote challenges to add to the points to competitors scores during the event. This is an opportunity to not only support the foundation, but also your favorite athlete, Veteran, or branch of service.
An entry donation will put each remote performance in for a giveaway prize and 6th Annual Challenge t-shirt by Wolf Eyed Designs.
6th Anniversary Challenge & Fundraiser
Each year we bring in 5-6 ‘celebrity’ athletes/personalities and pair them up with a Veteran from each branch of service to take on a 30 hour ‘Ordeal’ that challenges team work, camaraderie, perseverance, problem solving skills, adaptability… all the things we share in common that make us successful against the struggles of life.
We also bring in over 2 dozen Veteran volunteers to participate, support, and enhance the camaraderie during the event. Truly making it a community experience where we forge connections that last well beyond the weekend. Inevitably, the collective wisdom, work ethic, life lessons, and beauty that is shared during this event becomes a catalyst for growth & happiness for everyone and in ways that cannot be deliberately crafted.
The event also serves as the foundation’s primary fundraiser where we award prizes, and generate the majority of our annual revenue that will support the following year’s Veterans programs and events.
Starting Monday, June 16th we echelon in support and staff. Thursday afternoon is an all hands brief and the event starts Friday the 20th at 9a, concluding on Saturday the 21st at 3p with a giant bbq and social. Departure is Sunday afternoon.
Registration for this event has closed.
Organized By
Big Fish Foundation
We were founded by Major Brian Chontosh, USMC (ret.). During OIF in 2003, he led the CAAT platoon for 3/5, and his radio call-sign was “Big Fish”.
