Friday, August 12, almost 150 stand-up paddle boarders hit the Hudson, Harlem and East Rivers to compete in a rigorous 26.5 mile charity paddle around Manhattan. Paddlers from all over the world came together to race and raised $350,000 for autism awareness and environmental projects. Starting at Manhattan’s Pier 40, the race worked its way north on the Hudson River, past Yankee Stadium, under the Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges, finishing at the north side of the South Street Seaport.

Finishing in first was O’Neill team racer Rob Rojas, with an impressive time of 3 hours and 56 minutes. New Zealand’s Starboard team rider Annabel Anderson took top honors in the women’s division and second place overall, finishing in 4 hours and 11 minutes.

Paddlers and supporters celebrated at the 5th-annual White Water Evening with after-parties at the Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club and Harbor Lights Restaurants, both at the South Street Seaport.

Photography by Anthony Bianciella and Annabel Anderson.