Andy Dibbern didn’t come to Heroes on the Water looking for a leadership role. About four years ago, he was simply a devoted kayaker who accepted an invitation to volunteer at a local event. The experience left an immediate impression.
“I got invited by a friend to come out,” Dibbern said. “I was already an avid kayak fisherman, mostly on the ocean. That was about four years ago, and I don’t think I’ve missed an event since.”
Today, Dibbern serves as chapter coordinator of the Heroes on the Water Avila Beach Chapter, a volunteer-led organization that provides no-cost therapeutic kayak fishing experiences for veterans, active-duty military members, first responders, and their families.
“There’s nothing like getting on the water,” Dibbern said. “Kayaks are quiet. You don’t have engines running. … Sometimes all you hear is the waves or the water moving around the kayak. … A lot of times, that quiet is exactly what people need.”
Dibbern didn’t serve in the armed forces, but his dedication to serving those who did runs deep.
“I’m not a veteran,” he said. “A number of our volunteers aren’t, but a lot of them are veterans and first responders. … One of our volunteers is the veterans service officer for San Luis Obispo County.”
Heroes on the Water is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007, with roughly 58 chapters across the United States. The organization’s mission is to provide wellness and community through kayak fishing and the outdoors. In 2018, the nonprofit officially expanded its services to include first responders and their families, recognizing the shared challenges faced by those in high-stress service roles.
The Avila Beach Chapter serves San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, and Kern County.
“We have quite a bit of reach,” Dibbern said. “We’re probably one of the chapters that covers the largest area, so we stay busy running around doing events.”
The Avila Beach chapter offers several types of events each month designed to meet the needs of its participants. These include on-the-water family events, small group events, women-only events, social gatherings, and off-season activities like skill-based workshops.
As chapter president, Dibbern helps coordinate monthly outings, manage volunteers, oversee equipment, and ensure each event runs safely and smoothly. The chapter maintains a fleet of about 20 kayaks and provides what participants need for the day.
“We supply everything,” Dibbern said. “The kayaks, fishing poles, bait, safety gear … everything. They just have to show up with a fishing license.”
Events are completely volunteer-driven. Each participant is paired one-on-one with a volunteer guide, providing both assistance and companionship throughout the day.
“Every participant that we take out has their own guide, and that guide is a volunteer,” Dibbern said. “We have over 20 regular volunteers.”
Events typically host between 10 and 20 participants. Ocean outings—often held in Avila Beach—are smaller, while other events can accommodate larger groups.
“Our ocean events we try to keep a little smaller,” Dibbern said. “There’s more of a safety element. Our lake events will pretty easily have 20 participants.”
Lake outings are held at Santa Margarita Lake, Cachuma Lake, Lopez Lake, and locations in Kern County, including Buena Vista Lake.
“We pretty much fill up every time,” Dibbern said. “We put out a sign-up about two weeks before each event, and within a day or so it’s full.”
At the heart of the program is kayak fishing, a low-impact outdoor activity that combines paddling with fishing. Participants use sit-on-top kayaks to reach fishing spots usually inaccessible by larger boats. For many participants, the benefits go beyond fishing itself.
Kayak fishing is widely recognized for its therapeutic benefits, the national Heroes on the Water organization said. The rhythmic motion of paddling, combined with the quiet environment and concentration required for fishing, can help reduce stress and promote mindfulness. Physically, it offers gentle exercise that improves strength and coordination without placing excessive strain on the body.
“It’s a very therapeutic atmosphere for them to be able to just go out and not have to worry,” Dibbern said. “Sometimes they wanna fish, sometimes they just wanna sit there and take it all in.”
That pressure-free environment is intentional. Dibbern explained that many participants arrive carrying significant stress, trauma, or feelings of isolation. Some are living with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, or physical disabilities, including amputations.
“We accommodate anything they might be dealing with,” Dibbern explained. “And we’re going to make it happen for them.”
Post-event surveys collected by the national organization reflect those efforts. According to Heroes on the Water data, between 80 and 90 percent of participants report improvements in mental well-being, stress levels, and their ability to manage everyday life.
While Dibbern points to the data, he said the real impact is visible on the water.
“You see it in their faces,” he said. “And we have a lot of repeat participants, so that tells you something.”
Dibbern credits much of the chapter’s success to its volunteers. With more than 20 regular volunteers, including veterans, first responders, and community members, the team brings a wide range of support, understanding, and community.
To participate or volunteer, email Heroes on the Water’s Avila Beach Chapter at avilabeach.ca@heroesonthewater.org.
Reach Staff Writer Chloë Hodge from the Sun’s sister paper, New Times, at chodge@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in January 8 – January 15, 2026.